The 1930s Lugosi/Karloff match-ups at Universal Studios only suggested the potential of what a decades-long feud like Bette Davis and Joan Crawford could produce.
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
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Reviews Counted: 36
Fresh: 32
Rotten:4
Average Rating: 7.7/10
Runtime: 2 hrs 15 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Synopsis: As a child, Jane Hudson (Bette Davis) was a pampered vaudeville star known to the world as Baby Jane while her younger sister, Blanche (Joan Crawford), led a quiet life in her considerable shadow. Decades have passed and now Blanche is a... As a child, Jane Hudson (Bette Davis) was a pampered vaudeville star known to the world as Baby Jane while her younger sister, Blanche (Joan Crawford), led a quiet life in her considerable shadow. Decades have passed and now Blanche is a beautiful, talented movie idol and Jane a lowly extra. When a car accident cripples Blanche, binding her to a wheelchair, Jane sees her opportunity for revenge and assumes the role of caretaker. Her newly gained power completes the transformation of the sugar-sweet child star into a nightmarish caricature of Baby Jane. As she does everything she can to make her sister's life a living hell--including feeding Blanche a dead rat and brutally beating her when she tries to phone for help--Jane plots a comeback, aided by shifty musical director Edwin Flagg (Victor Buono). Director Robert Aldrich (KISS ME DEADLY) composes the strangest and most unsettling film of his career, creating a blueprint for future psycho-thriller filmmakers to follow. Renowned offscreen rivals Davis and Crawford revived their flagging careers with two stunning performances, and Buono received an Academy Award nomination for his supporting role. Creepy, campy, grotesque, and terrifying, the wildly over-the-top WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? is a disturbing and unforgettable film. [More]
Starring: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Victor Buono, Anna Lee
Starring: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Victor Buono, Anna Lee, Maidie Norman, Marjorie Bennett, Dave Willock, Bert Freed
Director: Robert Aldrich
Director: Robert Aldrich
Producer: Robert Aldrich
Screenwriter: Lukas Heller
Composer: Frank DeVol
Get This Movie
Release:
May 30, 2006
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
- Dolby Digital Mono - English
- Subtitles - English, French, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
- Audio Commentary - Charles Busch; John Epperson - Lypsinka
- Trailer - Theatrical Trailer
- Disc 2: BONUS FEATURES
- Bonus Footage - Andy Williams Show - Excerpt Featuring Bette Davis Singing
- Documentary - 1. BETTE AND JOAN: BLIND AMBITION
- 2. ALL ABOUT BETTE: Hosted By Jodie Foster
- 3. A FILM PROFILE: JOAN CRAWFORD
- Featurette - BEHIND THE SCENES WITH BABY JANE
Reviews for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
For the viewer, too, this creepy mood-piece is far from a comfortable watch.
Aldrich's direction and dynamite performances from the two old troupers make this film an experience.
Crawford wisely underacts -- if her performance isn't as showy as Davis's, it's not any less accomplished.
The chain of circumstances grows, violence creating violence. Once the inept, draggy start is passed, the film's pace builds with ever-growing force.
While Crawford is rather subdued throughout the film, Davis chews up the scenery as one of the most bizarre, depraved villainesses you'll ever encounter.
The Grand Guignol elements themselves are relatively forced and unconvincing.
The film will be remembered only for the acerbic performances by the two grand old ladies of Hollywood.
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