Review of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) by Grant S — 02 Mar 2016

Powerful story of envy, bitterness, malice and torment.

Two aging sisters, Blanche and Jane, share a large house. Jane was once a child star and Blanche was, in adult life, a star of the silver screen. Blanche's career ended when she was left paralysed from the waist down in an accident involving Jane. Now Jane looks after Blanche in the house, though not very well. Filled with bitterness at her own cinematic career never taking off, envious of Blanche's career and money, an alcoholic and a touch deranged, Jane goes out of her way to torment her sister...

A very well made thriller. Starts off slowly and is more a relationship drama for a while. Over time, however, director Robert Aldrich ramps up the intrigue, tension and malice. It is soon apparent that this isn't going to be resolved simply by dialogue...

Quite Hitchcockian at times in the tension and intrigue...and menacing undercurrent.

Great twist towards the end and a powerful conclusion.

Bette Davis is superb as Jane, providing just the right level of menace and insanity. The result is one of the scarier characters in cinematic history. Davis got her 11th, and last, Oscar nomination for her performance. Quite astounding that she didn't win.

Joan Crawford is solid as Blanche, and is the perfect foil for Davis/Jane. Victor Buono puts in a good performance as Edwin and provides the movie's best comedic moments. He got a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his efforts.