Object of the Day: A Press Release from “Hotel,” 1983

The 1980’s were the era of Aaron Spelling and his somewhat tawdry but nonetheless fun and campy prime time dramas. In 1983, Spelling produced Hotel, a rather sticky melodrama based on the 1965 novel of the same name by Arthur Hailey. The show, set in a posh hotel, centered around its managers played by Connie Sellecca and James Brolin and its aristocratic owner and their interaction with the swanky guests therein.


Spelling’s pilot for the show starred Bette Davis as the imperious owner of the hotel, Laura Trent. Davis was never thrilled with the program, stating that it should be called “Brothel.” However, in this era, Davis was having a difficult time finding roles which didn’t put cast her as some sort of Grand Guignol demon. And, so she accepted the part. Then, Davis experienced the beginnings of her famous bouts with ill health. She withdrew from the show, only having appeared in the pilot.

Curiously, Davis was replaced by Anne Baxter who ironically has played Eve Harrington to Davis’ Margo Channing in All About Eve. Just as Harrington schemed to take Channing’s place in the film, Baxter was afforded the chance to replace Davis in this real life drama.

For the pilot episode, ABC released its usual press releases and production stills. Before Davis withdrew from the show, ABS issued a series of photos stating that she would be continuing in the part. They quickly had to negate themselves. As we’ve seen lately with the cancellations of All My Children and One Life to Live, ABC has no problem contradicting itself.

This photo is an interesting artifact in that it is one of the original press photos of Davis for the show with the original notation from ABC upon which the copy has been crossed-out. “No.” has been written across the page.

Ill-health didn’t prevent Davis from continuing with her career until her death in 1989. Later, she seems relieved not to have been part of Hotel, stating that she never really cared for the program in the first place. The show ran for five years, ending in 1988.