Review of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) by Keenan S — 05 Mar 2013

A thriller that is so chillingly terrifying, not solely because of the amazing and out of this world performance from Bette Davis, but because of the relationship between these two women, two actresses giving the performances of their lives.

I should point out that this isn't complete hyperbole. The tension and utter bitterness between these two sisters comes in part through the real life relationship between rivals Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

At the time these actresses were in decline from their former star studded endeavors. Still, the two actresses set aside their differences in order to become friends for a short time and make this film.

The story revolves around two sisters, one a spoiled former vaudeville star (Baby Jane) and the other a former film star of the thirties. Thirty years ago, when her starlet sister couldn't keep her in her contract any longer, Baby Jane paralyzed her sister, and eventually traps her in their large home, taking care of her yet hiding her from the world.

Once Baby Jane snaps at the suggestion of the house being sold, her sister becomes the victim of a lunatic, watching as she murders those that get in the way of her trying to reclaim her former youth.

The narcissism, obsession, and madness in Davis' performance are poignant and yet you feel very little empathy for someone who would tie their sister to a bed frame. Crawford in turn acts like the perfect victim, high mannered and poised, not visibly showing that she feels a great deal of anger towards her sister.

Instead she's a fragmented and fragile creature who has quiet sensibilities and little power. She plays a victim so well to Davis' madwoman, but gives a performance as blithe and impersonal as the silent roles she took on so long ago.

The plotting, climactic peaks of Baby Jane's terror spree, and a gracious and uneven performance from Victor Buono in a side story, make this a genuinely devious and different kind of thriller. You will love to see two women who obviously hate each other.

..hate each other, but in a loving way.