Saturday, July 27, 2019

What Ever Happned to Baby Jane? (1962): Bette Davis and Joan Crawford


     The careers of both Bette Davis and Joan Crawford were rapidly fading by 1960. Their acting styles and the typical characters they played from the 1930's -1940's were no longer in demand. It was a different time and they seemed unable to adapt. A glorious chance came when Robert Aldrich cast them as the Hudson sisters in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962). The parts of the bitter, feuding sisters were departures for both actresses, and re-introduced them to a new genre, and generation of film goers. The film was a success, and provided the format for many similar films over the next decade and beyond.
     In the 1910's, Baby Jane Hudson was the darling of Vaudeville. In the 1930's, Blanche Hudson was the biggest movie star in Hollywood. Now... in the 1960's, both Jane (Bette Davis) and Blanche (Joan Crawford) find themselves old and lonely, living together in Blanche's once fashionable home with each one blaming the other for their failed success. Blanche, in a wheelchair as a result of an "accident", depends on Jane for her care... 

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 1962: Bette Davis and Joan Crawford

     However, Jane has been acting a tad crazy lately...

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 1962: Bette Davis

     Pining for her fame, lost  so many years ago, she harbors jealous feelings as well... 

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 1962: Bette Davis

     News that Blanche plans to sell their house due to financial problems does not go over well... 

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 1962: Bette Davis and Joan Crawford

     With Jane slipping into increased fits of hatred and delusional rage...

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 1962: Bette Davis and Joan Crawford

      and her being the one entrusted with Blanche's care...

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 1962: Bette Davis and Joan Crawford

      Blanche realizes that her life is in grave danger... 

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 1962: Bette Davis and Joan Crawford