 Carl Laemmle, the head of Universal Studios, considered terminating Davis' employment, but cinematographer Karl Freund told him she had "lovely eyes" and would be suitable for "Bad Sister" (1931), in which she subsequently made her film debut.Her nervousness was compounded when she overheard the chief of production, Carl Laemmle Jr., comment to another executive that she had "about as much sex appeal as Slim Summerville", one of the film's co-stars.The film was not a success, and her next role in "Seed" (1931) was too brief to attract attention.