What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

Director:

Robert Aldrich

Writers:

Henry Farrell (novel)
Lukas Heller (screenplay)

Release Date:

31 October 1962 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

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:

Hollywood | Former Child Star | Revenge | Aging | Recluse

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 10 nominations

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 (as Ann Barton)
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

Also Known As:

¿Qué pasó con Baby Jane? (Argentina) (Venezuela) [es]
Qu'est-il arrivé à Baby Jane? (Belgium: French title) (France) [fr]
¿Qué fue de Baby Jane? (Spain) [es]
Che fine ha fatto Baby Jane? (Italy) [it]
Co sie zdarzylo Baby Jane? (Poland) [pl]
Hvad blev der egentlig af Baby Jane? (Denmark) [da]
Küçük bebege ne oldu? (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Mitä tapahtuikaan Baby Janelle? (Finland) [fi]
O Que Terá Acontecido a Baby Jane? (Brazil) [pt]
Ti apegine i Baby Jane? (Greece) [el]
Vad hände det med Baby Jane? (Finland: Swedish title) [sv]
Vad hände med Baby Jane? (Sweden) [sv]
Was geschah wirklich mit Baby Jane? (West Germany) [de]
Wat is er toch van Baby Jane terecht gekomen? (Belgium: Flemish title) [un]

Runtime:

134 min | Argentina:135 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

UK:18 (1988 rating) | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Portugal:M/12 | France:-12 | Ireland:12 | Spain:18 | Germany:16 (f) | South Korea:15 | 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

Trivia:

In scenes where Jane imitates Blanche's voice, the voice heard is actually Joan Crawford's voice, and not Bette Davis', as Bette could not master Joan's voice properly.

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:

Dr. Shelby: I don't quite understand. Is this some kind of emotional disturbance you're talking about?
Blanche: Yes, she's emotionally disturbed. She's unbalanced!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Destroy All Humans! (2005) (VG)

Soundtrack:

I'VE WRITTEN A LETTER TO DADDY

The Movie Was Excellent

The movie was suspenseful to the end and the musical score was awesome. I only disagreed with Henry Flagg's role, and he was such a wimp! It was great to see two '30- '50s Divas in one film, especially Joan Crawford's duplicitous role as a wronged sister. Bette Davis was truly deranged by the alcohol and the light switch personality changes was a joy to see. I especially loved the facial changes between the regression to the childlike Baby Jane and the hatred-driven character who was destined to take care of a sister more successful than her in adulthood. It may be a slow development of a story by today's standards, but the pace was good for me. I was intrigued to the end and suspected nothing like the final outcome.