 Tagline: You'd better be shockproof before you dare find out! Sister, sister, oh so fair, why is there blood all over your hair? Director Robert Aldrich's story: A thriller about an aging ex-vaudeville child star who initiates a psychotic reign of terror over her crippled '30s movie-queen sister. His stars: Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. All he needed was the money. But when Alderich scoured Hollywood for backing, he kept hearing, "We wouldn't give you a dime for those two old broads." They were worth millions. Audiences asked What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? in droves- and made this eerie, surprise-laden shocker a deserved smash. Storyline: In a tale that almost redefines sibling rivalry, faded actresses Blanche and 'Baby' Jane Hudson live together. Jane was by far the most famous when she performed with their father in vaudeville but as they got older, it was Blanche who became the finer actress, which Jane still resents. Blanche is now confined to a wheelchair - Jane ran her over with the car while drunk, even though she has no memory of it - and Jane is firmly in control. As time goes by, Jane exercises greater and greater control over her sister, intercepting her letters and ensuring that few if anyone from the outside has any contact with her. As Jane slowly loses her mind, she torments her sister going to ever greater extremes. Written by garykmcd Cast Notes: Bette Davis (Jane Hudson), Joan Crawford (Blanche Hudson), Victor Buono (Edwin Flagg), Wesley Addy (Marty the Director), Julie Allred (Young Jane Hudson), Anne Barton (Cora Hudson), Marjorie Bennett (Mrs. Dehlia Flagg), Bert Freed (Producer Ben Golden), Anna Lee [I] (Mrs. Bates), Maidie Norman (Elvira Stitt), Dave Willock (Ray Hudson), William Aldrich, Ernest Anderson, Russ Conway (Police Officer At the End), Maxine Cooper. User Comment: Vince-5 northeastern PA • This warped Gothic shocker is the ultimate Bette Davis movie. She is absolutely brilliant is the demented, sadistic, unpredictable Baby Jane, going so far over the top that she seems truly insane. Just look at her--a grotesque caricature of a Shirley Temple-style child star, complete with blonde ringlets and clownlike white powder caked onto her haggard face, trying to add a coy little-girl inflection to her cracked, boozy voice. Remember how Norman Bates was scary because he seemed so "normal" on the outside? The exact opposite is why Jane is so frightening. She is obviously, entirely sick and capable of anything. The scene of her croaking "I've Written a Letter to Daddy" in a darkened room is one of the most haunting, chilling moments in motion picture history. Also great is Joan Crawford as tortured sister Blanche. She really makes us care about the character, so much so that we can forget what a monster Joan was in reality. The ladies are perfectly accompanied by Victor Buono, Oscar-nominated in his best role. The black-and-white cinematography is flawless and provides the perfect atmosphere, and the imagery is unforgettable. The entire film is deeply disturbing and gloriously capped by the bizarre finale. An essential for cult aficionados, with Bette giving the best performance of her long, illustrious career. Summary: Terrifying, twisted black comedy is Bette's best IMDb Rating (03/14/15): 8.1/10 from 26,231 users IMDb Rating (08/04/01): 7.8/10 from 1,348 users
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