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What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
31 October 1962 (USA)
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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
Plot Keywords:
Hollywood
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Child Star
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Recluse
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Former Child Star
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Aging
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Awards:
Won Oscar.
Another 2 wins
&
10 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Spillane's Secretary In Kiss Me Deadly Dead At 84
(From WENN. 15 April 2009, 3:00 PM, PDT)
Bette To Star On Broadway
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 25 March 1998)
(From WENN. 15 April 2009, 3:00 PM, PDT)
Bette To Star On Broadway
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 25 March 1998)
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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
134 min | Argentina:135 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound Recording)
Certification:
UK:18 (1988 rating) |
Canada:14+ (Ontario) |
Portugal:M/12 |
France:-12 |
Ireland:12 |
Spain:18 |
Germany:16 (f) |
South Korea:15 |
Argentina:16 |
Australia:M |
Finland:K-16 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:12A (re-rating) (2004) |
UK:X (original rating) (cut) |
USA:Unrated
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Bette Davis had been nominated for Best Actress in her film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962), which also starring Joan Crawford. If Bette had won, it would have set a record number of wins for an actress. According to the book "Bette & Joan - The Divine Feud" by Shaun Considine, the two had a life long mutual hatred, and a jealous Joan Crawford actively campaigned against Bette Davis for winning Best Actress, and even told Anne Bancroft that if Anne won and was unable to accept the Award, Joan would be happy to accept it on her behalf. According to the book - and this may or may not be 100% true, but it makes a good anecdote - on Oscar night, Bette Davis was standing in the wings of the theatre waiting to hear the name of the winner. When it was announced that Anne Bancroft had won Best Actress for The Miracle Worker (1962), Bette Davis felt an icy hand on her shoulder as Joan Crawford said "Excuse me, I have an Oscar to accept".
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Goofs:
Continuity: Mrs. Bates pays her first visit to the Hudson home during early morning hours (Jane is fixing breakfast) but when she returns to her own home next door supposedly just minutes later, outdoor shadows indicate that hours have passed and it's now early-mid afternoon.
more
Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story (2007)
more
Soundtrack:
I'VE WRITTEN A LETTER TO DADDY
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (124 total)
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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!