BrianKoller's Full Review: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
"Baby Jane" is a wicked comedy and thriller starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. It is a good film, full of suspense and humor. It is probably the most important film that either star made after 1960, as its success led to a series of older actresses in macabre roles.
The story begins in 1917. Baby Jane (Julie
Allred) is a child star and spoiled brat,
pampered by her smarmy show-biz dad (Dave
Willock) while older sister Blanche (Gina
Gillespie) is ignored. By the mid-1930s, the
tables have turned. Blanche is a moviestar, while
the alcoholic Jane is shunned by the studios.
Blanche's career is ruined when she becomes
paralyzed in an auto accident that Jane is blamed
for. But Blanche (Crawford) and Jane (Davis)
continue to live together in the now decaying
mansion of their youth. Blanche arranges to sell
the mansion, and to place the unstable Jane in an
institution. Jane's response is to isolate and
terrorize Blanche. Meanwhile, Jane seeks a
pathetic revival of her career with impoverished
pianist Edwin (Victor Buono).
The best part of "Baby Jane" are the opening
scenes, when Jane is a child. Her wretched,
maudlin singing voice is a perfect send-up of
manipulated (and manipulative) child stars.
Perhaps someday there will be a prequel to "Baby
Jane", further exploring this character.
Bette Davis looks awful. Although only 54 at the
time, her pasty white makeup makes her appear
grotesque and much older. Crawford, as the gentle
victim of Davis' bizarre cruelty, suffers many
indignities. Gossip about "Baby Jane" centers on
the two star's dislike of each other. Supposedly,
for the scene where Davis drags Crawford, Joan
hid weights under her dress, helping to injure
Davis' back. Campy and malevolent, Davis was
perfectly cast for the role of Jane; the baddest
of all the 'bad girl' roles of her career.
Buono, a memorable character actor, makes his
film debut in "Baby Jane". He earned an Oscar
nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his
performance. Davis was nominated for Best
Actress, and Ernest Haller was nominated for the
cinematography. (69/100)
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