What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

Such a frustrating disappointment

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

I really liked the book, and this movie is pretty darn close to it! Bette Davis is awesome as Jane! I really loved the way she shuffles around in her slippers! Just a creepy, tore-up performance! And Joan Crawford is really good too! The movie doesn't have quite the terror or build up of the book, but watching Davis is well worth it! And her singing that song "I've Written a Letter to Daddy" is still ringing about in my head! Yeesh! Between that song, and the creepy Baby Jane doll, I'm not sure if I'll get much sleep tonight!

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? is a psychological horror drama. This is a frightening view of the conflict between two different characters. It is based on the 1960 novel of the same name by Henry Farrell.The main protagonist is an adored yet ill-tempered vaudevillian child star, while her older sister lives in her shadow. 17 years later, the sisters have replaced their roles. The elder sister has became a successful film actress,while her younger sister has experienced failures. Hatred is born. One night, the elder sister has experienced a mysterious car accident. Her younger sister, who is found three days later in a drunken stupor, is blamed for that accident. Twenty years later, the sisters live together in a house, which was bought by the elder sister. She is in a wheelchair. Her younger sister has descended into alcoholism and mental illness...The two sisters living in the hell of jealousy, lies, hatred and monstrosity. The characters are completely different. One is frightened and helpless, while another character is restless and crazy. Each of them is faced with his own life crash in a grotesque way. The psychology plays in this story simply "penetrate" into the human mind. Mr. Aldrich has presented, in an ironic way, two idolized women and sisters who can not get rid of the past. The truth is buried very deep, while horror and lies crawl across the surface. A crime complements suspense and vice versa.Bette Davis (Jane Hudson) is simple phenomenal as a mentally disturbed sister. Character, who painfully goes through the past of her popularity and playfulness. However, she is a true maniac, who heals his wound in a cruel way. However, there is too much coincidence, therefore, the plots do not depend on the decisions of a crazy woman.Joan Crawford (Blanche Hudson) is an opposite and somewhat sympathetic character as a helpless woman. She is, in fact, an insidious and silent killer. It's hard to sympathize with her, after the truth, which she discloses at the end of the film.Victor Buono (Edwin Flagg) is a bit eccentric fat piano player. Frankly, I have expected some ironic reviews from him. However, he is lost in a comical ecstasy. Welcome to the hell, Mr. Flagg.Star Wars have a purpose and an epilogue.

Never heard of this classic until the series "Feud" highlighted the on-set tension between the two aging Hollywood greats, Joan Crawford and Bette Davis (I decided to see this before watching the series).This is a very-well acted story about two sisters living together. Rose had early fame as a child stage performer while Blanche enjoyed Hollywood fame in the movies as an adult. Rose, showing early signs of narcissism and sociopathy as a child, is now acting as a cruel caretaker for Blanch, who was crippled in a car accident.It's exasperating to see how blind Blanche acts towards the bizarre behavior of Rose. She's clearly suffering from sort of pathological denial herself. It's almost like watching a Rob Zombie movie in which good natured people get trapped and suffer increasing levels of abuse -- and we have to sit through it.The fact that 55 years have passed since this movie opened and one can still feel disturbed while watching it is a testament to the acting abilities of Davis and Crawford. Watch this, then watch the series "Duel" to see what when down during the movie's production.

Revitalising the then-fading careers of two actresses who were Hollywood's biggest stars in their heydays, and giving birth to a new subgenre of horror in the process, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane is an often disturbing, at times chilling & thoroughly captivating example of hag horror that's powered by outstanding lead performances from Bette Davis & Joan Crawford.The story of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane follows Jane & Blanche Hudson, two ageing sisters who live together in an old Hollywood mansion. In the early days, Jane was a notable child star but their fortunes reversed in later years when Blanche became a more famous actress before a tragic accident crippled her for life. Still resentful of her wheelchair-bound sister's success, Jane makes Blanche's life a living hell.Directed by Robert Aldrich, the film quickly glances through the prime years of both sisters before the accident that sets its main plot into motion. The feeling of resentment, jealousy & hate is quite evident in the siblings' relationship early in the story and it only intensifies as the plot progresses. Aldrich's direction is brilliant as steadily ratchets up the bitterness between the two leading ladies and keep things tightly-knitted till the end.Also benefitting the story as well as their own performances is the intense rivalry between the two former Hollywood stars, as their contempt for each other seeps into their on-screen roles and the scenes between the two seethes with a sharp-flavoured zest. Further amplifying its imagery are its fluid camera-work & first-rate lighting. Editing keeps the plot interesting and steadily paces it, while the background score stays in sync with the unfolding events.Coming to the acting department, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane is steered by Bette Davis & Joan Crawford, and the remaining cast is simply no match to the performance these two veteran actresses put on the screen. Davis embraces her old hag persona with open arms and fully dives into her role to deliver a truly manic, disturbing & deranged performance whereas Crawford chips in with a restrained input that was physically demanding & plays her part with quiet temperament.On an overall scale, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane is a smartly crafted, expertly photographed and splendidly performed psychological thriller and what catapults it to higher level is the stinging chemistry between Bette Davis & Joan Crawford. Also worth mentioning is its clever use of humour that makes its presence felt in the most unexpected yet amusing fashion. Utilising the deep-seated envy of its leading ladies to full measure & concluding with a chilling final minutes revelation, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane is absolutely worth your time & money.