What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

Director:

Robert Aldrich

Writers:

Henry Farrell (novel)
Lukas Heller (screenplay)

Release Date:

31 octubre 1962 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Frase comercial:

Sister, sister, oh so fair, why is there blood all over your hair?

Plot:

In a decaying Hollywood mansion, Jane Hudson, a former child star, and her sister Blanche, a movie queen forced into retirement after a crippling accident, live in virtual isolation.

Plot Keywords:

Grand Guignol | Parakeet | Price Of Fame | Gothic | Aging

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 10 nominations

Comentarios de los usuarios:

A compelling movie; Davis and Crawford tear each other apart

Cast

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
Marjorie Bennett	...	Dehlia Flagg
Bert Freed	...	Ben Golden (as Robert Freed)
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

También conocida como:

¿Qué pasó con Baby Jane? (Argentina) (Venezuela) [es]
¿Qué fue de Baby Jane? (Spain) [es]

Duración:

134 min | Argentina:135 min

País:

USA

Idioma:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sonido:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Clasificación:

France:-12 | Portugal:M/12 | Ireland:12 | South Korea:15 | Spain:18 | UK:18 (1988 rating) | Germany:16 (f) | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:12A (re-rating) (2004) | UK:X (original rating) (cut) | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

172 N. McCadden Pl., Hancock Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Associates & Aldrich Company, The

Trivialidades:

Cracked head of Baby Jane doll featured prominently in ad campaign was a completely different doll than that used in movie--probably because movie was filmed and released so quickly that ad staff had to devise campaign while film was still in production.

Goofs:

Plot holes: When Edwin calls Jane to arrange an interview, she tells him to come to her house - but never provides an address.

Quotes:

Jane: You mean all this time we could have been friends?

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Shakespear's Sister: Best Of (2004) (V)

Soundtrack:

I'VE WRITTEN A LETTER TO DADDY

A compelling movie; Davis and Crawford tear each other apart

Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? might seem dated, but it is still an extremely riveting watch. I literally could not look away, as soon as the movie started, I couldn't stop until it had finished. Not a lot of movies can do that to me. The acting is extremely good, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford are just so good as the main focus of the movie. The chilling score is suits the movie and the camera-work reminds me a lot of Hitchcock.

The story focuses on two sisters, Blanche Hudson (Joan Crawford) who was crippled in an accident awhile ago and "Baby" Jane Hudson (Bette Davis). Jane used to be a big child star, she even had a doll brand after her. Now, though, she is no longer recognised while her sister has recently become very famous. They live in an old mansion, with Blanche confined to her room upstairs while Jane gets madder and more cruel by the day.

Bette Davis gives the star performance here, some may call it over-acting but it is far from. She really makes Jane as mad, cruel and sad as possible. Joan Crawford is equally good in a very different role. She is much more timid then Jane and quite scared. The supporting cast are all good as well, especially Victor Buono as Victor Flagg, an odd pianist that befriends Jane. The black and white really are used to full effect, they make the mansion look extra creepy. Robert Aldrich's direction is fine.

To today's modern audience, this may seem boring as it does not have any action. Most of the movie is dialogue, but I do urge those who haven't seen it to do so, as it is a truly excellent movie.

A solid 5/5!