What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

A former child star torments her paraplegic sister in their decaying Hollywood mansion.

Director:

Robert Aldrich

Writers:

Henry Farrell (from the novel by), Lukas Heller (screenplay)

Stars:

Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Victor Buono

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 11 nominations.

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
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

Storyline

In a tale that almost redefines sibling rivalry, faded actresses Blanche and 'Baby' Jane Hudson live together. Jane was by far the most famous when she performed with their father in vaudeville but as they got older, it was Blanche who became the finer actress, which Jane still resents. Blanche is now confined to a wheelchair and Jane is firmly in control. As time goes by, Jane exercises greater and greater control over her sister, intercepting her letters and ensuring that few if anyone from the outside has any contact with her. As Jane slowly loses her mind, she torments her sister going to ever greater extremes.

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Plot Keywords:

sibling rivalry | child star | psychological horror | wheelchair | abusive relationship | 

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Taglines:

You'd better be shockproof before you dare find out!

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford worked hard to promote the film, both knowing that their profit percentage points would pay off in spades with the film's success. Davis traveled to 17 theaters across the state of New York in three days for personal appearances and helped give away promotional "Baby Jane" dolls to patrons with a "lucky envelope" under his or her seat.

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Goofs

When Blanche removes the note she has typed to throw to her neighbour from the typewriter, the machine's carriage is at the far right. The next shot is a close up of Blanche adding a handwritten footnote to the letter - the typewriter carriage is now positioned centrally.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Toy Salesman: Want to see it again little girl? It shouldn't frighten you.

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Crazy Credits

The Warner Bros. logo does not appear at the beginning of this film.

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Alternate Versions

The original British release was cut in two places: in Reel Four, where Jane kicks Blanche only once instead of multiple times, and Reel Six, which eliminated some shots of Blanche tied up to the bed and writhing. Both cuts were mandated by the BBFC in order to receive an "X" certificate. Subsequent reissues restored the footage.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Bette Davis/Richard Pryor (1983)

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Soundtracks

I've Written a Letter to Daddy
Music by Frank De Vol
Lyrics by Bob Merrill
Performed by Bette Davis
Also performed by Julie Allred (dubbed by Debbie Burton)

User Reviews

Bette Davis gives an amazing performance

This 60s thriller ingeniously casts two faded Hollywood stars as ... two faded Hollywood stars. While Joan Crawford's Blanche is stuck in a wheelchair Bette Davis's Jane takes care of her. Bitter that her career as a child vaudeville star was eclipsed by Blanche's adult career, Davis drinks, looks through her old scrapbooks, and, unfortunately for Blanche, begins to lose her mind.

Davis commits fully to her bizarre character, starting out as a slatternly drudge and slowly going over the edge. There is a bravery to Davis' role most notable in her extraordinary recreation of Jane's childhood act. Victor Buono is also excellent as a rather peculiar pianist.

While I've never been a big Crawford fan, she is quite good as Blanche, whose genial indulgence of her sister slowly turns to terror.

The movie is a classic of its kind and necessary viewing for fans of Davis and/or 60s thrillers.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 October 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

Filming Locations:

Citizen News Building, 1545 Wilcox Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$980,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Associates & Aldrich Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Glen Glenn Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1