WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE
April 8th 2008 03:09
Whatever Happened To Baby Jane
DVD Available in Australia
Disclaimer: This post may contain spoilers
In 1962 Robert Aldrich Directed what can be called, along with maybe Sunset Boulevard, the film of the year. To call Whatever Happened To Baby Jane a mammoth cinematic achievement would be only a slight understatement, for it also showcases possibly two of the greatest performances by two actresses in the 1960’s, if not ever – Joan Crawford and Bette Davis clash like titans in some of the most vicious stand offs you can imagine. Bette Davis stars as Jane Hudson, a former child star whose acting career as a grown woman has been overshadowed by her more talented and successful sister, played by a wheel chair bound Joan Crawford. In a world where great female performances are few and far between, these two fine actresses are fused with a paranoid intensity, created by Aldrich, which will cause unrestrained delight to fans of dark and macabre films or by that note those who even do not even object to it.
Bette Davis and Joan Crawford - You can just feel the love
In WEHTBJ the story takes melodrama and horror to a feverish pitch. I suppose this film is not for everyone, it certainly does not paint a pretty picture as Bette Davis’s character continues to taunt and abuse her paralysed sister. The film has unusual similarities in structure, events and character to Sunset Boulevard and while you can not help but put them side by side, they are certainly completely different animals, Baby Jane focuses specifically on the horror of the here and now, its sweaty, 'in your face' intensity and emotional violence abandons the post card quality that a lot of these type of stories invite to them.
The bitch is back
The casting is perfect as these two divas off-screen animosity runs rampant on screen, Joan Crawford’s trademark hardened facial qualities play well against her sympatheic approach to her character and Bette Davis’s famous eyes along with her over the top make up are used to create a hysterical madness as she hand in hand with Aldrich creates one of the most interesting and effective portraits of an emotionally disturbed individual.
Indeed one of Aldrich’s crowning achievements he provides all the right ingredients for a juicy and very scary character study of two woman not just pushed into madness but swimming around in it. If these sounds like your cup of tea, don’t wait another second to see it.
Warning:Clips contain Spoilers
Watch the original trailer that includes shots of Robert Aldrich Directing.
A classic scene from Whatever Happened To Baby Jane
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Great to see your first post appear on your very own domain! Congratulations.
I'm pleased to have this review on my site too and rest assured I will be a regular reader of your original material.
Bring on the movie love.
Comment by Mike Wheeler
John
Glad to see you've reviewed it, too.
You both make me feel like i am no longer living in a cinematic vacuum!
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Just to clarify, Shaun is a good friend of mine and over the last few weeks he has contributed a number of fine reviews for jdmfilmreviews including this one on Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.
A great film for sure, personally I did one for Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte that you may enjoy too. If your interested you can read it HERE
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
Comment by Damo
The intimacy violated is hard to watch but fascinating all the same.
Baby Jane is a favorite of mine.
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure