What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice? (1969)

Director:

Lee H. Katzin
(more)

Writers:

Theodore Apstein (writer)
Ursula Curtiss (novel)

Release Date:

20 August 1969 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

A horrific tale...with grave consequences!

Plot:

As Aunt Alice, Ruth Gordon applies for the job of housekeeper in the Tucson, Arizona home of widow Claire...

Plot Keywords:

Widow | Housekeeper | Aunt | Nurse | Suspense

Cast

Geraldine Page	...	Mrs. Clare Marrable
Ruth Gordon	...	Mrs. Dimmock aka Aunt Alice
Rosemary Forsyth	...	Harriet Vaughn
Robert Fuller	...	Mike Darrah
Mildred Dunnock	...	Miss Edna Tinsley
Joan Huntington	...	Julia Lawson
Peter Brandon	...	George Lawson
Michael Barbera	...	Jim Vaughn
Peter Bonerz	...	Mr. Bentley
Richard Angarola	...	Sheriff Armijo
Claire Kelly	...	Elva
Valerie Allen	...	Dottie
Martin Garralaga	...	Juan
Jack Bannon	...	Olin
Seth Riggs	...	Warren
Lou Kane	...	Telephone man
Spike	...	Chloe
Howard Wright	...	Mourner
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jess Riggle	...	Cab Driver (uncredited)

Directed by
Lee H. Katzin
Bernard Girard		(uncredited)

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Theodore Apstein		writer
Ursula Curtiss		novel "The Forbidden Garden"

Produced by
Robert Aldrich	....	producer
William Aldrich	....	associate producer
Peter Nelson	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Gerald Fried

Cinematography by
Joseph F. Biroc

Film Editing by
Frank J. Urioste

Casting by
Lynn Stalmaster

Art Direction by
William Glasgow

Set Decoration by
John Brown

Costume Design by
Renié

Makeup Department
Jean Austin	....	hair stylist
William Turner	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Fred Ahern	....	production supervisor
Eddie Saeta	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Daisy Gerber	....	assistant director

Art Department
Ygnacio Sepulveda	....	property master

Sound Department
Richard S. Church	....	sound mixer

Stunts
Julie Ann Johnson	....	stunts (uncredited)

Casting Department
Frank Kennedy	....	extras casting (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Michael Luciano	....	supervising editor

Other crew
Michael Audley	....	dialogue supervisor
Richard Chaffee	....	script supervisor
Don Record	....	title designer

Production Companies

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
• Associates & Aldrich Company, The
• Palomar Pictures (I)

Distributors

• Cinerama Releasing Corporation (1969) (USA) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1972) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (VHS)
• Cinerama Filmgesellschaft MBH (1970) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• Dear International (????) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Distribuidora Cinematográfica del Centro (DISCENTRO) (1970) (Spain) (theatrical)
• ABC Video Enterprises (????) (USA) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Aventi (2006) (France) (DVD)
• Donau-Film (2012) (Germany) (DVD)
• Film Collection, The (????) (UK) (VHS)
• Fremantle Home Entertainment (2001) (UK) (DVD)
• Gerit (????) (Finland) (video)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Magnetic Video (1981) (USA) (VHS)
• Scand Video Finland (????) (Finland) (video)

Other Companies

• MGM Sound Department  sound post-production
• Modern Film Effects  titles

Also Known As:

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:M (original rating) | USA:PG | UK:15 | Australia:PG | Iceland:16 | Australia:M (tv rating) | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Aldrich Studios, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Trivia:

Lee H. Katzin replaced Bernard Girard as director after four weeks of filming

Goofs:

Continuity: Towards the end of the movie, when Page is wearing the red wig, driving the 1960 Lincoln Continental with Gordon half-passed-out in the front seat, the interior shots show the car to be a 1961 or 1962 General Motors vehicle (you can tell by the vent window and dashboard). Then it becomes a 1960 Lincoln again when they show the outside shots, and when the car goes into the lake. The Lincoln has a perfect rectangle vent window at a 90 degree angle; the GM car has a teardrop shaped vent which is slanted back.

Quotes:

Juan:You have a very green thumb. Your pine trees grow good - very good.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Die, Mommie, Die! (2003)

Creepy....

Geraldine Page gives a stellar performance as a whacked-out nutzo who delights in making compost out of her housekeepers and then stealing their money. Alas, along comes Ruth Gordon (at her snoopiest, sneakiest best) to investigate her friend's death, and then the gray hair flies. The scene in which these two senior citizens duke it out makes you see that adrenaline still pumps after age 60 (see Laurence Olivier and Gregory Peck in the climax of "The Boys from Brazil" if you don't believe me). Ruth Gordon's character reminds me of a sweet yet feisty grandma who wouldn't hesitate to deck you with a right hook if her words didn't get to you. I actually wanted to jump in there and help her kick butt since I liked her character so much. If you like the kind of film that startles you to attention, check this one out. It's very much worth a look.