What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

Directed by: Robert Aldrich | 134 minutes | drama, horror, thriller | Actors: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Victor Buono, Wesley Addy, Julie Allred, Anne Barton, Marjorie Bennett, Bert Freed, Anna Lee, Maidie Norman, Dave Willock, William Aldrich, Russ Conway, Maxine Cooper, Robert Cornthwaite, Michael Fox, Gina Gillespie, Barbara Merrill, Don Ross, James Seay, John Shay, Jon Shepodd, Peter Virgo, Bobs Watson, Debbie Burton, Ernest Anderson

“I wouldn’t piss on her if she was on fire.” It may be clear; Bette Davis hated her colleague Joan Crawford. Both actresses rose to prominence in the 1930s and made a remarkable comeback in the following decades. Crawford, who was three years older than her rival, won an Oscar for the title role in ‘Mildred Pierce’ (1945) and Davis made a stunning return with ‘All about Eve’ (1950). In all those years, the ladies continued quietly throwing mud at each other. From 1953, every film that both Davis and Crawford made was far from profitable and their main achievement was their ongoing feud that was widely reported in the press. Like two elderly divas, they had to do something to attract attention. Davis even went so far as to place an advertisement in a newspaper in 1961, stating that she was looking for work. Because they were so desperate, they were even willing to make a film together for director Robert Aldrich (‘Kiss Me Deadly’, 1955). ‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?’ (1962) proved to be a hit, not only because both ladies acted at their best, but also because the film came so close to reality.

The film begins in 1917, when child star ‘Baby Jane’ Hudson is the biggest singing and dancing sensation in American theaters. But no matter how lovely she appears on stage, as soon as she steps off it she is a spoiled brat who makes life miserable for her parents and sister Blanche. Later, in the early 1930s, the roles were reversed. Now that both girls have grown up, it turns out that Blanche (Joan Crawford) is the more talented of the two. She has built a successful film career and even ensures that Jane (Bette Davis) can continue making films by forcing the studios to involve her too. But nobody cares about Jane anymore and her movies are never released. A puzzling car accident, involving both women, turns things around. Blanche becomes paralyzed and is forced to say goodbye to her film career. Jane is blamed for the accident but not punished. She has no choice but to take care of her disabled sister. Years later they live a hermitage in their old house. When a retrospective about Blanche is broadcast on TV, Jane – who has lived in the past all along – is completely blown away. Torn by jealousy and convinced that her own career can’t be revived while her sister is still around, she takes drastic measures that make Blanche’s life hell.

Dare to make a film featuring not one but two of classic Hollywood’s most insufferable divas. Robert Aldrich was so convinced of Lukas Heller’s script after Henry Farrell’s thriller novel that he took the risk. His guts were rewarded. The film was a resounding success. But he also had his doubts beforehand. “Judging by the initial press reaction. I wasn’t sure whether I was going to produce and direct a motion picture or referee a fight.” Before and after the shoot, he probably felt more like a police officer who had to intervene every now and then, because the mud-throwing at each other just continued. Davis, for example, had a Coca Cola vending machine installed on the set to taunt her co-star. Crawford’s recently deceased husband was a director of Pepsi Cola and she herself was on the board of that company. Crawford, in turn, put weights in her pockets prior to the scene where Davis had to drag her nearly lifeless body out of the house, leaving Davis a very sore back. But the rivalry the women felt for each other in real life had a beneficial effect on their acting. Since neither wanted to be inferior to the other, they splashed off the canvas. Aldrich: “Now Davis is a tough old broad and you fight. But when you see what she puts on the screen you know it was worth taking all the bull.”

Davis received her eleventh and final Oscar nomination for her role. Smeared with a thick layer of make-up – making her look much older than the 54 years she actually was – and dressed in an innocent white baby doll, she completely immerses herself in the role of the grotesque child star who has seen her best days long. has behind him. Knowing that Davis could also be a huge bitch in real life, it’s completely believable that she’s completely jealous of her sister Blanche, who has managed to preserve her beauty a lot better and – unlike herself – still by the public is recognized and appreciated. Convinced she can make a comeback, the completely crazy Baby Jane hires opportunistic pianist Edwin Flagg (Victor Buono, who also received an Oscar nomination). Since Flagg desperately wants to get out of the yoke of his meddling mother and also likes the big bag of money that is promised to him, he participates in Jane’s laughable theater. Until he finds out what horrific practices are taking place upstairs, in Blanche’s room. That the ridiculous character of Davis comes into its own is partly due to Joan Crawford who takes a very modest attitude in her role and thus balances the matter. That Crawford was overlooked by the Academy Awards selectors must have hurt her. Especially because she plays at least as strong as Davis. The black-and-white cinematography full of ominous shadows fully exudes the sinister atmosphere of the script. Ernest Haller was rightfully awarded an Oscar nomination for it.

‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?’ is the mother of all psychological thrillers and was the first in a line of films starring terrifying older ladies. It’s not surprising that Bette Davis stars in some of them, including ‘Hush Hush… Sweet Charlotte’ (1964). She was a master at playing nasty, hateful monsters, while at the same time giving her something tragic. In addition, unlike many other Hollywood divas, she was not afraid to be ugly and unkind. Davis, in particular, benefited from the success of ‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane’, probably because her role stands out much more than Joan Crawford’s. But both women deliver top performances and show why they are counted among the best actresses of all time. Be warned, ‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?’ don’t go in the cold clothes. The film is at times very gloomy and the roles are played very convincingly. Do you like (psychological) thrillers or are you a fan of Davis or Crawford? Then settle in for this brilliant, 134-minute haunting classic! Definitely a memorable and unparalleled piece of cinema!