Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

 Robert Aldrich's "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?"


It was very striking to see icons from the Golden Age of Hollywood in the 1962 classic "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" Both Joan Crawford and Bette Davis were legends of their time and their performances in this film certainly prove that they're still dynamic. Even better, they prove their some of the greatest screen performers of all time. 

The plot centers on two sisters: one confined to a wheelchair, the other descending into a troubling mental state. Davis plays the titular 'Baby Jane,' a former child star who now is the ward of her crippled sister, Blanche. Wanting to get back into stardom, Jane imprisons Blanche and keep her in solitude. Blanche's physical health begins to fade as rapidly as Jane's mental health. 

There was a somewhat 'black comedy' aspect to the film, aided even more so by some of its camp. Rather than making it a sour experience, it was rather delicious. Perhaps the experience wouldn't have been so delightful if it weren't for these two powerhouse performers. "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" was delightfully disturbing in all the right ways.



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