What Ever Happen to Baby Jane? is the disturbing 1962 film directed by Robert Aldrich that borrows from the Sunset Blvd and Psycho play-book. This film spot-lights two of the greats; Betty Davis, and Joan Crawford. Both Davis and Crawford play the Hudson sisters.
Aldrich sets-up wonderful narration throughout the film to establish character motivation. Baby Jane at the beginning of the film is exploited, and spoiled by her father, who cashes in on his favorite little girl by parading her on stage, and selling Baby Jane dolls in the image of Baby Jane. As time goes on, Baby Jane strives for stardom in Hollywood, but she is basically rejected while her sister Blanche Hudson (Joan Crawford) becomes the recognized film star. At the height of her career we see Blanche Hudson purposefully run down by her car; crippling Blanche for life, and setting-up the cruelty Baby Jane dishes out.
Betty Davis brings-it on at every turn as it is hard to watch Baby Jane torture Blanche, and murder Elvira Stitt ( played by Maidie Norman).
The narration happens throughout What Ever Happen to Baby Jane? and sets us up for the big discover and supprise at the end of the film. The supprise end is eye-opening, but the real excitement is the tension between Baby Jane and Blanche. I for one appreciate the complexity in which Crawford plays the narcissistic, but reasonable Blanche.
This film is dark, creepy, and disturbing. I enjoyed seeing this film for the first time from start to finish. What Ever Happen to Baby Jane? goes into this saxophonist film scrap book.
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