Yes but Meryl Streep was almost 60 when she played Donna in Mamma Mia, who I envision being early 40ish. The public will now accept actresses playing younger, even those who arent crazy with plastic surgery.
Bette and Meryl must take very good care of themselves and have access to great makeup and lighting, etc. To me, Bette looks the same as she always has. So does Meryl.
I think people would buy Bette as Mame.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello