IMDb > What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
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What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) More at IMDbPro »

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What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) -- Open-ended Trailer from Warner Brothers Pictures

Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   11,290 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Henry Farrell (novel)
Lukas Heller (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
31 October 1962 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Sister, sister, oh so fair, why is there blood all over your hair? more
Plot:
In a decaying Hollywood mansion, Jane Hudson, a former child star, and her sister Blanche, a movie queen forced into retirement after a crippling accident, live in virtual isolation. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 10 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
User Comments:
A compelling movie; Davis and Crawford tear each other apart more (124 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Bette Davis ... Baby Jane Hudson

Joan Crawford ... Blanche Hudson
Victor Buono ... Edwin Flagg
Wesley Addy ... Marty Mc Donald
Julie Allred ... Baby Jane Hudson, in 1917
Anne Barton ... Cora Hudson (as Ann Barton)
Marjorie Bennett ... Dehlia Flagg
Bert Freed ... Ben Golden (as Robert Freed)
Anna Lee ... Mrs. Bates

Maidie Norman ... Elvira Stitt
Dave Willock ... Ray Hudson
William Aldrich ... Lunch counter assistant at beach
Russ Conway ... Police Officer
Maxine Cooper ... Bank teller
Robert Cornthwaite ... Dr. Shelby
more
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Additional Details

Runtime:
134 min | Argentina:135 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound Recording)
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In scenes where Jane imitates Blanche's voice, the voice heard is actually Joan Crawford's voice, and not Bette Davis', as Bette could not master Joan's voice properly. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Jane is shocked by her reflection in the mirror, the expression in her face as well as her posture has changed in the next shot. more
Quotes:
Dr. Shelby: I don't quite understand. Is this some kind of emotional disturbance you're talking about?
Blanche: Yes, she's emotionally disturbed. She's unbalanced!
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Torch Song Trilogy (1988) more
Soundtrack:
I'VE WRITTEN A LETTER TO DADDY more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
29 out of 32 people found the following comment useful.
A compelling movie; Davis and Crawford tear each other apart, 21 June 2006
10/10
Author: LoneWolfAndCub from Australia

Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? might seem dated, but it is still an extremely riveting watch. I literally could not look away, as soon as the movie started, I couldn't stop until it had finished. Not a lot of movies can do that to me. The acting is extremely good, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford are just so good as the main focus of the movie. The chilling score is suits the movie and the camera-work reminds me a lot of Hitchcock.

The story focuses on two sisters, Blanche Hudson (Joan Crawford) who was crippled in an accident awhile ago and "Baby" Jane Hudson (Bette Davis). Jane used to be a big child star, she even had a doll brand after her. Now, though, she is no longer recognised while her sister has recently become very famous. They live in an old mansion, with Blanche confined to her room upstairs while Jane gets madder and more cruel by the day.

Bette Davis gives the star performance here, some may call it over-acting but it is far from. She really makes Jane as mad, cruel and sad as possible. Joan Crawford is equally good in a very different role. She is much more timid then Jane and quite scared. The supporting cast are all good as well, especially Victor Buono as Victor Flagg, an odd pianist that befriends Jane. The black and white really are used to full effect, they make the mansion look extra creepy. Robert Aldrich's direction is fine.

To today's modern audience, this may seem boring as it does not have any action. Most of the movie is dialogue, but I do urge those who haven't seen it to do so, as it is a truly excellent movie.

A solid 5/5!

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
What ever happened to the Baby Jane Hudson dolls??? skie763
in film or novel, is there a hint of incest? sassyblackgirl
Colorized version Alexandrico
100 Things I Learned from Watching '...Baby Jane' Lukerdog
What is up with Edwin? (spoiler) vjsansum-1
Why doesn't Blanche scream? ameliakate26
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