"I'd like to kiss ya, but I just washed my hair."

In a six decade film career, incurring ten Oscar nominations (even rumored to have nick-named the statuette herself), that quote from the forgettable 1932 film "Cabin in the Cotton" was Bette Davis's favorite line from any of her many films. It doesn't matter too much, except that I think it's adorable and shows Ms. Davis's playful sense of humor.

What really matters here is my affection for the United States Postal Service. Unlike many, and I know there are many because I can hear them grouse in the queue, I don't necessarily hate waiting at the post office. I expect to be detained there. And the post office staff and I get along famously - my slightly under-prepared bulk mailings always squeak by without criticism.

While Bob, Marci, Paula and the rest of the locals have absolutely nothing to do with the USPS postage stamp Legends of Hollywood series, the newly unveiled Bette Davis stamp contributes wholly to my magnanimous approbation for the postal service.

I have endured four years of sub-dazzling USPS Legends of Hollywood offerings. 2006 featured a handsome Henry Fonda stamp followed by a delightful 2007 James Stewart stamp. (Fonda and Stewart were great pals and teased at rivalry: it was only right to bookend them). While I love those two, white guys in suits don't make for compelling stamps. 2004 featured the ultimate Legends let-down: John Wayne. John Wayne, good or bad, is way more emblematic than the parameters of the Legends of Hollywood series allows. Give him a commemorative stamp or something, but don't mix emblems with my icons. I think this chronology indicates that 2005 was Judy Garland, whom I love nearly as much as I'm entranced by her offspring. But I thought the featured image of Judy portrayed an unflattering angle and an unflattering haircut from her otherwise impeccable turn in the 1954 film "A Star is Born."

In terms of classic film actresses, I love Ginger, Norma, Irene, Claudette and the rest (except Joan Crawford, for obvious reasons), but Bette reigns supreme in my hierarchy of Hollywood royalty. So when my mom saw Bette's postage stamp at Post Office this morning, she knew it called for a special delivery to her especially eccentric daughter (what a good Mommie, not at all like that wretched Joan Crawford).

I mean, scroll up a wee: Look at that stamp! Her gently smug expression seems to indicate that, yes, she loves Hank and Jimmy too, but it's time to get back on track with some real stars. And she brought out the diamonds, the sumptuous velvet/fur coat and gunmetal satin gloves (the other hand out of frame, waving a ciggy, I'm certain) for the occasion.

Until postage rates are raised, my correspondence-as-usual will be sealed with bold glamour and all hate mail will bear an extra-special "Go to hell," courtesy of Ms. Davis.

In the words of the esteemed Madonna, "Bette Davis, we love you."