@@luciagonzalo6762I'm sorry but The Miracle Worker, while powerful and uplifting, wasn't even in the same league as Baby Jane. Plus Hollywood should have honoured two of its greatest legends with Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress
"You mean, all this time we could have been friends?" "You weren't always ugly.....I made you that way." Both those lines really highlight the tragedy at the core of the story and the relationship between Blanche and Jane. Seeing your mind get blown by the plot twist and piece everything together brought back so many memories!
Baby Jane was too much even for the Addams Family. An unpublished cartoon has them recoiling in horror seeing Jane and Blanche through the window. Gomez: "Let's clear out. I draw the line at this crowd."
14:24 There was a time when my ex came to my apartment and kept pressing the buzzer incessantly just like Blanche did in the film. So I walked to the intercom and pressed the _Talk_ button and bellowed, *_"Alright, Blanche Hudson!...Big, fat movie star!...Lousy stinkin' actress!...Push a button!...Ring a bell!...And you think the...whole, damn world comes runnin'!"_*
Now 'Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte'! "All this time we could have been friends?" What got me, re-watching it, is something I missed the first time. When Jane talks about the accident in the house, she says that the cops beat her while telling her she did it. So Blanche tried to run her over, she drunkenly runs away and goes missing for 3 days, and then gets "interrogated." It's just so dark.
One correction; Joan Crawford was contracted to MGM from the late 20s until the early 40s when MGM decided she was too old for leading roles. She left for Warner Bros., which occasionally led to drama with Warner's longtime Queen Bette over who would get the prime female leads.
I was going to say just that. Crawford was one of MGM glamour queens in a "women's pictures studio". Bette was the Queen at Warners (after Kay Francis fell into gradual obscurity) which then was more of a gangster-type movie studio.
By the time Crawford got to Warner Bros., Bette and the studio already hated each other. Bette turned down almost every script she was given, and said scripts were then offered to Joan Crawford. This included Mildred Pierce, which Crawford won her only Oscar for.
Oh my god, I just got CHILLS when you said about Bette Davis: "Her performance feels very modern." YES! She was that way in the THIRTIES! When you saw the clip of the young Bette, all I can say is I can't WAIT for you to see her breakout movie, "Of Human Bondage". It's akin to Brando in "Streetcar Named Desire" or Meryl Streep in "Sophie's Choice", or De Niro in "Raging Bull", it was a total sea change in acting. It's 1934, and you will again say "Her performance seems so modern!" What an actor, one of the best....ever. MALE actors cite her as an influence, something you don't see every day. Ok, I had to write that down. I'm LOVING EVERY SECOND of this reaction. More to follow! WELL WORTH THE WAIT! I hope everything's ok with you, because I know it took a long time, and now that I'm watching, I can tell that the problem wasn't that you didn't like that the movie!!!
WELL WORTH THE WAIT! What a reaction! And also, happy you gave props to poor Joan Crawford, who often gets overlooked. LOVED the "Misery" comparisons, you're totally right! Major parallels! I hope you're doing ok, I hope you're not getting burnt out on the channel, no worries about delays, we want you for the long haul, I just hope everything's ok with you in "real life". And, I know I've suggested this before, but somewhere down the line, a month of Bette (like you did with Marilyn), would love it. I mentioned her breakout role in "Of Human Bondage", but she also played Queen Elizabeth opposite Errol Flynn, oh my god, what a performance. And "Dark Victory", the same year, where she's super glammed up, seducing a pre-fame Humphrey Bogart. The opposite of Elizabeth. Damn! What an actress. What a reaction video. WHAT A CHANNEL! And what a Mia! LOVE YOU TO PIECES, SISTER IN CINEMA!!!!!! THANK YOU!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! (And looking forward to "Maltese Falcon"!) (But absolutely no rush!)
@@flarrfan No doubt. EVERYONE saw this movie when this came out, and if they didn't see it in the theatre, it was on broadcast TV regularly. King is a huge movie fan (and wrote about them in his nonfiction book, Danse Macabre. I wouldn't be surprised if this movie got mentioned in that book). I'm not saying he consciously "ripped off" this movie, but there are definite parallels.
@@TTM9691 King does indeed cite "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane" in Danse Macabre. I'm holding my well-worn copy of the book (it's still my favorite reference for all things horror) right now, and in the chapter on The Modern American Horror Movie he lists it among the 20 scariest films ever made.
@@DanielOrme Aha! Smoking gun! Thank you Daniel! Kent Weissinger, did you see Daniel's comment? And he wrote "Danse Macabre" before he wrote "Misery". Very cool! Thanks so much for finding that passage of the book, Daniel!
The "creepy" painting in the background is a "big eye" painting by margaret Keane! At this time her husband was pretending to be the real painter! Keane's story is fascinating!
Bette -played beauties and characters that did not require being beautiful she would dress accordingly and never had a problem being unattractive if the role required it. That's a fine actress. Thanks I've been enjoying your pictures. See Now Voyager goes from an ugly duckling to a beautiful woman and the costuming is superb.
I suspect part of the reason Joan wanted Bette in the title role was because Joan wanted to be the "normal" one and wanted Bette to play a hag, lol. And the wig Bette wears is one that Joan wore in one of her early films. I fact checked a lot of the things in "Feud: Bette & Joan" and you'd be surprised how much of it really happened!
I don't think that's quite true - outside of 'Mommie Dearest' (where even Christina Crawford has said that the movie WAY overdid it, and that her mother was very strict, but never *that* crazy), the accounts of Joan Crawford seem to range from relatively neutral to glowingly positive. Particularly as she got older, it seems like she became a lot kinder and less strict, as both of her younger children have nothing but the warmest regards for their late mother, and neither has suggested she was anything less than a wonderful parent.
Recommend you some Bette movies that i would love you react to: The little foxes Dark victory The letter Jezebel Now voyager Mr skeffington But she's incredible in every single movie.
"Jane, do you remember when I first came back after the accident?" "You promised you wouldn't ever talk about that again." "I know I did. But I'm still in this chair. After all those years, I'm still in this chair. Doesn't that give you some kind of responsibility? Jane, I'm just trying to explain to you how things really are. You wouldn't be able to do these awful things to me if I weren't still in this chair." "But you ARE, Blanche! You ARE in that chair!" Fun Fact: The curious teenager who lives next door to the Hudson sisters is Bette Davis' real-life daughter, Barbara Merrill. Voice Acting Fact: In scenes where Jane imitates Blanche's voice, the voice heard is actually Joan Crawford's voice, as Bette Davis could not master Crawford's voice properly. Baby Jane Dolls Fact: Bette Davis and Joan Crawford worked hard to promote the film, both knowing that their profit percentage points would pay off in spades with the film's success. Davis traveled to 17 theaters across the state of New York in three days for personal appearances and helped give away promotional "Baby Jane" dolls to patrons with a "lucky envelope" under their seat.
In October 1968, Joan Crawford's 29-year-old daughter Christina had a role on the daily soap opera, "Secret Storm." When she needed emergency surgery, Joan offered to take over the role until she recovered. Despite the fact that she was in her 60s, she took over the role of a 28-year-old woman.
8:43 When I saw this actress deliver her line, "Well, Judy Fowler's parents have lived here a very long time. I _guess_ she should know," I thought this was the actress' first and last acting role. It turned it I was right. That actress was Bette Davis' daughter, B.D. Hyman, and that was her only acting role.
Almost every Saturday or Sunday me and my friends would go to the local movie theater. (In November 1963 the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald was being replayed over and over on TV when I got home. He had just been shot while we were at the movies). I saw this movie when I was nine with them in1962. I shouldn't have. At nine years of age this movie truly traumatized me 😳 I never forgot it.
And the neighbour’s daughter is played by B. D. Hyman, Bette Davis’ daughter, who wrote her own Mommie Dearest memoir, that was universally condemned and refuted by people in her life.
Trivia: Joan Crawford's fourth and last husband was Pepsi CEO Alfred Steele. They were only married for four years when he died in 1959. Crawford was then elected to Pepsi's Board of Directors. She was in Dallas on November 22, 1963 (JFK Assassination) for Pepsi meetings and flew in with the company's legal counsel, Richard Nixon. She left that morning and was quoted in that day's paper: "No, I don't think either of us will attend the luncheon here for President Kennedy." The luncheon he was headed to when he was killed.
I saw this movie and then Grey Gardens and immediately got terrified about what happens when you get old and alone, especially as women. I can feel bad for Baby Jane because her parents made her identity all about playing this dancing doll. 31:49 Me terrified of poor Elvira.
I saw this years ago when I was but a kid and It made a huge impact on me. So much so I can't help but burst into tears at the end. A superb film that is one of Davis's best. I highly recommend the mini series 'Feud' thats was based on the professional lives of both Crawford and Davis. At one point they do a superb reenactment of scenes from this and it was stunning.
A mega-classic! One of my favorite movie moments is Jane looking directly into the camera as if its a mirror then putting on her lipstick. Genius! SO enjoyed seeing you watch. I couldn't wait for the end--your reaction was a great build to it! 👏
Ah!! So happy you reacted to this classic, I loved your video! So many reactors/reviewers of this movie basically ignore Victor Buono's (Edwin's) parts in the story and you didn't! You even had a very similar reaction to him as I had when I saw him in Baby Jane for the first time a few years ago ("oh he IS tall" "he's handsome, dark features, blue eyes"). I was instantly fascinated by him and his acting band when I found out what a wonderful man he was I developed a crush on him. Before Baby Jane, and his Oscar nomination for it, Victor was mainly a Shakespearean actor and he played lots of bearded gangsters on TV. He played a marvelous heavy on "The Untouchables" in 1961 and was hailed as the next Laird Cregar because of it. Robert Aldrich saw him in that too and really wanted him for the part of Edwin because of that (he took a liking to him in general and found work for him in several of his later projects, they even planned a detective series together which he would direct and Victor star in). But Victor actually didn't think he was right for the part of an effeminate milksop, his mentors at his home theater had to convince him that when he was in LA anyway to shoot a Perry Mason episode he should take the chance and audition for Baby Jane. He listened to them and the rest is history. He had a great career as was a popular character actor afterwards, managing to convincingly play men in their fifties and older despite his baby face. Another anecdote about him and Bette in Baby Jane... Bette was very cruel to him for the first half of the shooting this movie. She went to Aldrich and wanted Victor fired because he was in her opinion: "too big and fat and too revolting to even appeal to her Baby Jane character", but Aldrich stood his ground. And then during rehearsal for a scene she prodded him when he intended to let her lead by calling him a "fat slob" and asking "if he can't even do what he was hired for". Crawford on the other hand had been collegial and polite towards him from the start. But Bette also saw the error of her ways when she realized how good Victor actually was. She apologized in front of everyone to him and afterwards they were pretty good friends. She called him "kid" and he always called her "Miss Davis". There's a 1971 episode of "This Is Your Life" with Bette Davis on RUclips, one of the few guests she's obviously delighted to see is Victor, she even does the little Baby Jane dance when he walks in. It's very cute in case you want to check it out! Sorry for rambling so long about Victor, seeing him in Baby Jane for the first time in 2017 sent me down a rabbit hole of research. I'v managed to collect a big archive of material about him and I've interviewed many people who knew him, family, school mates, co-workers, friends... he was a very fascinating man. Charming and handsome irl, immense stage presence, wonderful sonorous voice, elegant, great dancer, a poet, a comedian, he was sly, very erudite and most importantly one of the kindest men I've ever heard of. Sadly he died very young at 43, probably because his heart was weakened from all the extreme dieting again and again during his career. Anyway.... haha I hope that at least the anecdotes regarding Baby Jane where somewhat interesting. I love your content!
@@justinshelton5026 Correct, he shaved his head for it. Aldrich liked him so much that he gave him the cameo and Bette was by that time also absolutely delighted to work with him, even briefly.
I just found your channel, and am on a binge. If you take requests, here are a couple of Bette Davis films that are a must watch: "Dark Victory" and "Now Voyager". And another star you should view is Greer Garson. In particular, "Mrs. Miniver" and "Random Harvest"
I loved seeing your "Ah Ha!" moment with the reveal of the plot twist. This movie is genius, because it leads you on a very firm path through most of the film and then pivots at the end, but in a completely plausible way. Bette Davis is absolutely brilliant in this role, and frankly she was robbed of the Academy Award for Best Actress that year (that is a drama in and of itself). I did not see this movie until I was about 30, after having seen many of Bette Davis' other films since I was a child, so I was on Team Jane/Bette Davis from the get-go, even though Jane was doing such awful things, but the reveal of the plot twist still got me the first time I saw it.
YES! THE MALTESE FALCON, one of the greatest film noirs of all time, well I got some new movies in my wishlist for you on the Noirvember series the following are: Mildred Pierce (1945) The Lost Weekend (1945) Gilda (1946) Out of the Past (1947) Gun Crazy (1950) The Big Sleep (1946) Strangers on a train (1951) The Night of the Hunter (1955) Sweet Smell of Success (1957) and Touch of Evil (1958) Looking forward to your reaction MIA.
😱 OMG...Night of the Hunter TERRIFIED ME (just saw it last year for the 1st time and I am FULLY GROWN)...but I couldn't sleep for the next couple of nights ! IT...IS ...SOOOOO EERIE...Bad dream/ Nightmarish! ❤😮
Great one! Like many people here, I also recommend to anyone who loves this movie or is a Betty & Joan fan to watch Ryan Murphy's mini-series Feud. I'm now in the mood to re-watch it!
Mia - it was a pleasure and a hoot to watch you react to this movie and see it through your eyes as you watched it for the first time - you really picked up on its strange mixture of humor and horror - and you made me laugh! Thanks
Loved your reaction! This film is a masterpiece... something you hit on his own the Hudson sisters, live in the past -- their house looks old-fashioned and their clothes, hair, and even the car. We see that in contrast to the modern (for the time) neighbors.
after i seen Pearl (2022) my friends told me to watch this since pearl is inspired from this and I'm obsessed! also love how your channel is reactions to older films! need to appreciate these gems
Hi, Mia, I love your thoughtful, astute reviews. Bravo on another fine job. FUN FACT: When I was in my 20's and 30's, my family often went to Easter Sunday Brunch at the Ramada Inn near LaGuardia airport, and the piano player would always do his rendition of "I've Written a Letter to Daddy." People used to practically line up to put money in his tip jar every time! (From a huge Joan Crawford fan here.) p.s.: May I say your manicure is everything!
Wow! That is amazing 😁 yeah it certainly is catchy, in fact it’s in my head as I am writing this LOL!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for watching!! And special thanks for noticing my nails! I actually do them myself and that particular set was a fun one to wear!!
I just love twists that can change your whole perspective in a second watch, now knowing the entire story, with the whole context. An absolute masterpiece. Also, it looks like after the big revelation, Jane really looks better than she did through the movie. Not sure if they changed the make up or the lighting or perhaps her presence and Bette's acting.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR COMMENTARY!!! It is quite apparent that you’ve never seen this movie before, because you’re reactions are so sincere, unlike many other, RUclips presenters, who act as though they’re watching a movie for the first time, but there are just certain reactions that are natural, and some that seem rehearsed. Well, let me tell you, it is so so so obvious. This is your first time seeing ‘WHTBJ?’ because I can remember the first time I watched it, & the feeling of shock and the same exact reactions you’re having!! lol lol I have so much enjoyed watching this movie - you for the first time - me for the hundredth time, and getting to enjoy your reactions, which reminds me why I liked the movie so much. I don’t know if you meant to say it the way you did, when you said the comment regarding “Misery” (which coincidentally I swear I just watched yesterday before I even happened across your channel. Anyway, you mention something about the picture “Misery’ (and also something about the housekeeper, who’s name is Miss Elvira Bates.) and I was wondering if you did that on purpose because misery was starring Kathy Bates……. Did you even realize that at the time??? lol lol Your first time commentary is the best I’ve ever seen, with regards to any movie, and any movie commentary on RUclips!! Excellent job!! I’ll be back to your channel again I assure you ! 😎
This film was 'life imitating art". IRL,they detested each other.I personally never rated Crawford,Bette Davis,OTOH, is my all time fave actress.A true legend of the silver screen.
Have seen this film many times but just realized the painting you zoomed in on at the beginning is by Margaret Keane, famous for her portraits of subjects with big eyes. Tim Burton directed biopic of her actually titled Big Eyes in 2014.
we love your channel! - your enthusiasm is contagious - I love watching your videos and enjoy seeing your growth as a historian and look forward to your growth in theory. I had a summer camp in Chgo for 20 years that focused on film - and had survey classes in Gothic Film into Literature and Film Noir. When speaking of Warner Bros. the Bros is BROTHERS - like with DR. we say doctor not Drrr. Warner Brothers was Bette's second studio - the first was Universal - and as others have mentioned below, Joan was an MGM player from the the 1920's until she left in the early 40's. Bothe she and Bette had long term contracts with their favored production studio.....BEYOND THE FOREST - you must see! Joseph Cotton! Bette Davis. and of course, Joan's Sudden Fear!
@@MoviesWithMia It's a bit of a commitment (I think maybe 8-10 episodes) but there is a streaming series called Feud: Bette and Joan which dramatizes the real story behind the making of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. It stars Jessica Lange (recently known well by American Horror Story fans, but has had a long and illustrious career spanning decades) and Susan Sarandon. It is so well done. Lots of old Hollywood stories, anecdotes and personalities. Impressive performances by Lange and Sarandon. You should definitely check it out.
If you ever saw Gypsy starring Natalie Wood there are two sisters based true story. Baby Jane was June Haver and the older sister was Gypsy Rose Lee. This Baby Jane is a twist it seems.
Norma Desmond! Yes! Baby Jane living in her own world of past glories definitely resonates with the character of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. When you're ready for more movies starring Bette Davis check out some of these classics -- Of Human Bondage (1934), Bordertown (1935), The Petrified Forest (1936), Marked Woman (1937), Jezebel (1938), Dark Victory (1939), The Little Foxes (1941), Now, Voyager (1942), and Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964) among many others. And when you're ready for more movies starring Joan Crawford check out some of these classics -- Grand Hotel (1932), Rain (1932), The Women (1939), A Woman's Face (1941), Mildred Pierce (1945), Possessed (1947), Flamingo Road (1949), and Johnny Guitar (1954) among many others.
Crawford was never let go by MGM. She negotiated the end of her contract early to get better roles at Warners. All her good roles were being handed to Greer Garson at the time. Later, Louie B Mayer who was head of production at MGM was sorry he let Crawford getaway after her career went into a "renaissance" at Warner's ...
A correction: Bette was at Warner, Joan was at MGM for years before moving over to WB. I'm enjoying your series. I'm surprised that someone who loves movies the way you do haven't seen so many of these classics. I've seen most of them and am so enjoying watching you discover them. By the way, the neighbor's daughter was Bette's real life daughter.
I recommend watching Davis in the 1968 "The Anniversary" which was for Hammer Films, a dark comedy. Really looking forward to "The Maltese Falcon", the #1 film noir. I got to see it on the big screen about 10 years ago thanks to TCM.
Bette Davis actually did place an advertisement in Variety magazine, very acerbically worded, do look it up. Btw, the actress playing the neighbour's daughter is Barbara "BD" Davis, Bette's real life daughter. Watching your reaction at the end was priceless, a fantastic reaction. Well done.
Oh my! You gave me a heart! Never got one before! Also I never noticed the scary painting at nosey Mrs. Bates house and I know every single word in this movie!! Perspective I guess. Now I need that painting
This movie stresses me out more than any other movie ever !!! Davis should have won the Oscar. No doubt!!! She may have not been great to work with but dang this performance. Not kidding I am stressed just watching you review it let alone the whole movie. Phew this one got me
Loved this watchalong, especially your anticipations! I've seen this movie 3 times, but watching it with you made me realize how awesome the twist actually is. There's a DVD version with audio commentary by John Epperson aka Lypsinka. They bring great insight about the movie. 24:14 hahaha
@@RaymondHng Seen it. The Redgraves are stoic, credible actors. They don’t hold a candle to Davis and Crawford. It’s a good example of why remakes are a waste of time.
I said “playing in a remake”, by which I meant giving a performance that adds to the canon. Anyone can spew the lines, capturing the alchemy of an original is impossible.
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? combines powerhouse acting, rich atmosphere and absorbing melodrama in service of a rainy thriller with thought-provoking subtext, WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (1962) 92/100% Certified Approved ☑️
Fantastic reaction, Mia! Loved how riled up this got you, only to see you change at the twist ending! Definitely looking forward to seeing your reaction to THE MALTESE FALCON (1941), as you can no doubt imagine.
When this had its theatrical release, my parents went to see it. Mother returned, VERY shaken. My mother looked very much like Joan Crawford, and though also a brunette, her mother had a certain resemblance to Bette Davis. There was just a little too much truth of their relationship in the script.
Hollywood should have stopped making movies the day Crawford and Davis passed away . Ever since they have struggled to find actors as great as Davis and Crawford. Rest in Eternal peace to humanity greatest artist's.
In Blanche's defense, completely aside from the plot twist at the end, the reason she's being passive with Jane is because she is completely dependent on her. Just like when she got brave enought to demand "Why are you doing these awful things to me?" she had to backtrack immediately when Jane asked her in return, "And just _what_ awful things am I doing to you?" Jane is vindictive and cruel, and had Blanche continued to confront her in that moment, you can see that Blanche is calculating the ramifications; will Jane double down on her cruelty if Blanche confronts her? People who are mentally and emotionally abused by their parents or caregivers rarely confront them because they don't want to make them mad and risk retaliation. You placate the abuser to keep them calm and happy because you can't predict when they might strike. And when you are helpless and trapped like Blanche was, that is a risk you just can't take.
I’m writing this letter to Mia, saying I love u, this movie and my sister from another mister. I can see both sides. I kinda experienced both sides with my sis. We talk to each other like you talked to us.
Excellent reaction! You should consider watching "Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte," which was directed by the same man and was supposed to star Bette Davis and Joan Crawford again, but Joan got replaced due to drama and was replaced by Olivia de Havilland. I'm probably in the minority but I prefer "Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte" to "Baby Jane."
Great movie as well. In her private time, she might like the recent miniseries "Feud" with Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon playing Crawford and Davis during the making of those two movies, and the whole Oscar scandal, and the like.
Ryan Murphy director/writer of American horror story made a show called Feud: Bette and Joan showcasing the feud between the two and Jessica Lang as Joan and Susan Sarandon as Bette Davis are both perfect in there roles.
I saw Baby Jane for the very first time in my teens, back in the 70's, on a late night TV movie show. I already knew the two stars famous feud reading about it im papers and magazines. But never imagined what a feast this movie could be. It was a shock and a wonderful surprise. Two weeks after that, again on late night TV, I saw All About Eve, and it just blew my mind. Since then Bette Davis is my all time favorite. Dangerous, Jezebel, The Letter, Now,Voyager, The Little Foxes, Hush,Hush, Sweet Charlotte... and, of course, Death on the Nile, when she treats Maggie Smith's character really viciously and very funny. There is no other! Queen Bette!
Bette Davis gave I e of the gutsiest performances in film history. They don't make actresses like that any more. Having said the, I have to assume you were raised by fuzzy bunnies if you think families are always healthy and supportive.
This film is truly outstanding. I had the privilege to see it in the Stanford Theater, an old classic theater, and it blew me away. So glad you enjoyed it. Modern movie fans need to see more classics like this.
She should’ve won the Oscar for this movie
They BOTH should have won.
I mean, yes, but Anne Bancroft in the Miracle Worker is also an all timer so I kinda get it
Both of them!
@@luciagonzalo6762I'm sorry but The Miracle Worker, while powerful and uplifting, wasn't even in the same league as Baby Jane. Plus Hollywood should have honoured two of its greatest legends with Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress
"Grow a backbone" to a character who is literally paralyzed 😂
"You mean, all this time we could have been friends?" "You weren't always ugly.....I made you that way."
Both those lines really highlight the tragedy at the core of the story and the relationship between Blanche and Jane.
Seeing your mind get blown by the plot twist and piece everything together brought back so many memories!
That's the moment in the film that saves this from being exploitative trash--the whole movie is building to this moment.
Baby Jane was too much even for the Addams Family. An unpublished cartoon has them recoiling in horror seeing Jane and Blanche through the window. Gomez: "Let's clear out. I draw the line at this crowd."
14:24 There was a time when my ex came to my apartment and kept pressing the buzzer incessantly just like Blanche did in the film. So I walked to the intercom and pressed the _Talk_ button and bellowed, *_"Alright, Blanche Hudson!...Big, fat movie star!...Lousy stinkin' actress!...Push a button!...Ring a bell!...And you think the...whole, damn world comes runnin'!"_*
Please, I need an update!1!!1!
@@alfred2744 He ran across the street.
@@RaymondHng and did he ever come back??
Now 'Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte'!
"All this time we could have been friends?" What got me, re-watching it, is something I missed the first time. When Jane talks about the accident in the house, she says that the cops beat her while telling her she did it. So Blanche tried to run her over, she drunkenly runs away and goes missing for 3 days, and then gets "interrogated." It's just so dark.
One correction; Joan Crawford was contracted to MGM from the late 20s until the early 40s when MGM decided she was too old for leading roles. She left for Warner Bros., which occasionally led to drama with Warner's longtime Queen Bette over who would get the prime female leads.
Thank you for that correction 😊
I was going to say just that. Crawford was one of MGM glamour queens in a "women's pictures studio". Bette was the Queen at Warners (after Kay Francis fell into gradual obscurity) which then was more of a gangster-type movie studio.
By the time Crawford got to Warner Bros., Bette and the studio already hated each other. Bette turned down almost every script she was given, and said scripts were then offered to Joan Crawford. This included Mildred Pierce, which Crawford won her only Oscar for.
Have you seen the 1939 classic
The Women with Joan Crawford? Its an all female cast.
Oh my god, I just got CHILLS when you said about Bette Davis: "Her performance feels very modern." YES! She was that way in the THIRTIES! When you saw the clip of the young Bette, all I can say is I can't WAIT for you to see her breakout movie, "Of Human Bondage". It's akin to Brando in "Streetcar Named Desire" or Meryl Streep in "Sophie's Choice", or De Niro in "Raging Bull", it was a total sea change in acting. It's 1934, and you will again say "Her performance seems so modern!" What an actor, one of the best....ever. MALE actors cite her as an influence, something you don't see every day. Ok, I had to write that down. I'm LOVING EVERY SECOND of this reaction. More to follow! WELL WORTH THE WAIT! I hope everything's ok with you, because I know it took a long time, and now that I'm watching, I can tell that the problem wasn't that you didn't like that the movie!!!
WELL WORTH THE WAIT! What a reaction! And also, happy you gave props to poor Joan Crawford, who often gets overlooked. LOVED the "Misery" comparisons, you're totally right! Major parallels! I hope you're doing ok, I hope you're not getting burnt out on the channel, no worries about delays, we want you for the long haul, I just hope everything's ok with you in "real life". And, I know I've suggested this before, but somewhere down the line, a month of Bette (like you did with Marilyn), would love it. I mentioned her breakout role in "Of Human Bondage", but she also played Queen Elizabeth opposite Errol Flynn, oh my god, what a performance. And "Dark Victory", the same year, where she's super glammed up, seducing a pre-fame Humphrey Bogart. The opposite of Elizabeth. Damn! What an actress. What a reaction video. WHAT A CHANNEL! And what a Mia! LOVE YOU TO PIECES, SISTER IN CINEMA!!!!!! THANK YOU!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! (And looking forward to "Maltese Falcon"!) (But absolutely no rush!)
@@TTM9691 Do you suppose a young Stephen King went to see this?
@@flarrfan No doubt. EVERYONE saw this movie when this came out, and if they didn't see it in the theatre, it was on broadcast TV regularly. King is a huge movie fan (and wrote about them in his nonfiction book, Danse Macabre. I wouldn't be surprised if this movie got mentioned in that book). I'm not saying he consciously "ripped off" this movie, but there are definite parallels.
@@TTM9691 King does indeed cite "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane" in Danse Macabre. I'm holding my well-worn copy of the book (it's still my favorite reference for all things horror) right now, and in the chapter on The Modern American Horror Movie he lists it among the 20 scariest films ever made.
@@DanielOrme Aha! Smoking gun! Thank you Daniel! Kent Weissinger, did you see Daniel's comment? And he wrote "Danse Macabre" before he wrote "Misery". Very cool! Thanks so much for finding that passage of the book, Daniel!
The "creepy" painting in the background is a "big eye" painting by margaret Keane! At this time her husband was pretending to be the real painter! Keane's story is fascinating!
Big Eyes (2014). Loved that movie.
Bette -played beauties and characters that did not require being beautiful she would dress accordingly and never had a problem being unattractive if the role required it. That's a fine actress. Thanks I've been enjoying your pictures. See Now Voyager goes from an ugly duckling to a beautiful woman and the costuming is superb.
Shows how comfortable she is in her skin. A little bit like Samantha Morton who shaved her head for roles in Walking Dead and Minority Report.
I suspect part of the reason Joan wanted Bette in the title role was because Joan wanted to be the "normal" one and wanted Bette to play a hag, lol. And the wig Bette wears is one that Joan wore in one of her early films. I fact checked a lot of the things in "Feud: Bette & Joan" and you'd be surprised how much of it really happened!
Some time ago I made my 20 something son watch this. His comment was “Oh my god that’s where Quentin Tarantino came from.
Yes.
I really enjoy your historical background notes and closing analysis. It's like a mini film class!
Joan Crawford playing a kind, compassionate woman is the greatest performance in the history of the entire world.
I don't think that's quite true - outside of 'Mommie Dearest' (where even Christina Crawford has said that the movie WAY overdid it, and that her mother was very strict, but never *that* crazy), the accounts of Joan Crawford seem to range from relatively neutral to glowingly positive. Particularly as she got older, it seems like she became a lot kinder and less strict, as both of her younger children have nothing but the warmest regards for their late mother, and neither has suggested she was anything less than a wonderful parent.
Recommend you some Bette movies that i would love you react to:
The little foxes
Dark victory
The letter
Jezebel
Now voyager
Mr skeffington
But she's incredible in every single movie.
Mr skefleton get me every time
10:14 “Did she like it?” 🙃🤣
*Love her sarcastic imitation!!!*
"Jane, do you remember when I first came back after the accident?"
"You promised you wouldn't ever talk about that again."
"I know I did. But I'm still in this chair. After all those years, I'm still in this chair. Doesn't that give you some kind of responsibility? Jane, I'm just trying to explain to you how things really are. You wouldn't be able to do these awful things to me if I weren't still in this chair."
"But you ARE, Blanche! You ARE in that chair!"
Fun Fact: The curious teenager who lives next door to the Hudson sisters is Bette Davis' real-life daughter, Barbara Merrill.
Voice Acting Fact: In scenes where Jane imitates Blanche's voice, the voice heard is actually Joan Crawford's voice, as Bette Davis could not master Crawford's voice properly.
Baby Jane Dolls Fact: Bette Davis and Joan Crawford worked hard to promote the film, both knowing that their profit percentage points would pay off in spades with the film's success. Davis traveled to 17 theaters across the state of New York in three days for personal appearances and helped give away promotional "Baby Jane" dolls to patrons with a "lucky envelope" under their seat.
In October 1968, Joan Crawford's 29-year-old daughter Christina had a role on the daily soap opera, "Secret Storm." When she needed emergency surgery, Joan offered to take over the role until she recovered. Despite the fact that she was in her 60s, she took over the role of a 28-year-old woman.
8:43 When I saw this actress deliver her line, "Well, Judy Fowler's parents have lived here a very long time. I _guess_ she should know," I thought this was the actress' first and last acting role. It turned it I was right. That actress was Bette Davis' daughter, B.D. Hyman, and that was her only acting role.
@@RaymondHng Believe me, B.D. Hyman (Bette's daughter) is STILL acting...
@@MsBackstager Not on the silver screen.
Almost every Saturday or Sunday me and my friends would go to the local movie theater. (In November 1963 the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald was being replayed over and over on TV when I got home. He had just been shot while we were at the movies). I saw this movie when I was nine with them in1962. I shouldn't have. At nine years of age this movie truly traumatized me 😳 I never forgot it.
SIde note: The next door neighbor was played by actress Anna Lee, who would play one of the singing nuns in "The Sound of Music", 1965.
In later years, she became known as matriarch Lila Quartermaine on the television daytime dramas _General Hospital_ and _Port Charles_ .
Anna Lee was at one time one of Englands best known young leading ladies and starred with Paul Robeson in the original 1937 King Solomons Mines.
And the neighbour’s daughter is played by B. D. Hyman, Bette Davis’ daughter, who wrote her own Mommie Dearest memoir, that was universally condemned and refuted by people in her life.
Trivia: Joan Crawford's fourth and last husband was Pepsi CEO Alfred Steele. They were only married for four years when he died in 1959. Crawford was then elected to Pepsi's Board of Directors. She was in Dallas on November 22, 1963 (JFK Assassination) for Pepsi meetings and flew in with the company's legal counsel, Richard Nixon. She left that morning and was quoted in that day's paper: "No, I don't think either of us will attend the luncheon here for President Kennedy." The luncheon he was headed to when he was killed.
I saw this movie and then Grey Gardens and immediately got terrified about what happens when you get old and alone, especially as women.
I can feel bad for Baby Jane because her parents made her identity all about playing this dancing doll.
31:49 Me terrified of poor Elvira.
I saw this years ago when I was but a kid and It made a huge impact on me. So much so I can't help but burst into tears at the end. A superb film that is one of Davis's best. I highly recommend the mini series 'Feud' thats was based on the professional lives of both Crawford and Davis. At one point they do a superb reenactment of scenes from this and it was stunning.
A mega-classic! One of my favorite movie moments is Jane looking directly into the camera as if its a mirror then putting on her lipstick. Genius! SO enjoyed seeing you watch. I couldn't wait for the end--your reaction was a great build to it! 👏
Ah!! So happy you reacted to this classic, I loved your video!
So many reactors/reviewers of this movie basically ignore Victor Buono's (Edwin's) parts in the story and you didn't! You even had a very similar reaction to him as I had when I saw him in Baby Jane for the first time a few years ago ("oh he IS tall" "he's handsome, dark features, blue eyes"). I was instantly fascinated by him and his acting band when I found out what a wonderful man he was I developed a crush on him. Before Baby Jane, and his Oscar nomination for it, Victor was mainly a Shakespearean actor and he played lots of bearded gangsters on TV.
He played a marvelous heavy on "The Untouchables" in 1961 and was hailed as the next Laird Cregar because of it. Robert Aldrich saw him in that too and really wanted him for the part of Edwin because of that (he took a liking to him in general and found work for him in several of his later projects, they even planned a detective series together which he would direct and Victor star in). But Victor actually didn't think he was right for the part of an effeminate milksop, his mentors at his home theater had to convince him that when he was in LA anyway to shoot a Perry Mason episode he should take the chance and audition for Baby Jane. He listened to them and the rest is history. He had a great career as was a popular character actor afterwards, managing to convincingly play men in their fifties and older despite his baby face.
Another anecdote about him and Bette in Baby Jane... Bette was very cruel to him for the first half of the shooting this movie. She went to Aldrich and wanted Victor fired because he was in her opinion: "too big and fat and too revolting to even appeal to her Baby Jane character", but Aldrich stood his ground. And then during rehearsal for a scene she prodded him when he intended to let her lead by calling him a "fat slob" and asking "if he can't even do what he was hired for". Crawford on the other hand had been collegial and polite towards him from the start. But Bette also saw the error of her ways when she realized how good Victor actually was. She apologized in front of everyone to him and afterwards they were pretty good friends. She called him "kid" and he always called her "Miss Davis". There's a 1971 episode of "This Is Your Life" with Bette Davis on RUclips, one of the few guests she's obviously delighted to see is Victor, she even does the little Baby Jane dance when he walks in. It's very cute in case you want to check it out!
Sorry for rambling so long about Victor, seeing him in Baby Jane for the first time in 2017 sent me down a rabbit hole of research. I'v managed to collect a big archive of material about him and I've interviewed many people who knew him, family, school mates, co-workers, friends... he was a very fascinating man. Charming and handsome irl, immense stage presence, wonderful sonorous voice, elegant, great dancer, a poet, a comedian, he was sly, very erudite and most importantly one of the kindest men I've ever heard of. Sadly he died very young at 43, probably because his heart was weakened from all the extreme dieting again and again during his career.
Anyway.... haha I hope that at least the anecdotes regarding Baby Jane where somewhat interesting.
I love your content!
I remember him from Beneath the Planet of the Apes.
He was King Tut in the Batman TV series.
And wasn’t he Hush Hush Sweet Charlottes dad? In like the first bit?
@@justinshelton5026 Correct, he shaved his head for it. Aldrich liked him so much that he gave him the cameo and Bette was by that time also absolutely delighted to work with him, even briefly.
@@justinshelton5026 Yes! He was fantastic in that. I liked the part where he was intimidating Charlotte's boyfriend.
Love Bette Davis , such a great actress. Check out "Little Foxes" 1941 another deplorable character.
A big "yes" to "The Little Foxes"!!
Lol just watched this last night with my daughter. I am getting super into black and white and old movies so I love your channel. New subscriber ❤️
Yay! Welcome and thanks so much for watching! So glad you’ve gotten into black and white films! They are AWESOME!
Your reaction and Jane's laugh at 22:46 was priceless
I just found your channel, and am on a binge.
If you take requests, here are a couple of Bette Davis films that are a must watch: "Dark Victory" and "Now Voyager".
And another star you should view is Greer Garson. In particular, "Mrs. Miniver" and "Random Harvest"
"It's all in how you look at things." - Alec Bings, _The Phantom Tollbooth_
You’re here too! Definitely read this book. Wasn’t much between the lines that I remember. Besides loving daddy so much.
I loved seeing your "Ah Ha!" moment with the reveal of the plot twist. This movie is genius, because it leads you on a very firm path through most of the film and then pivots at the end, but in a completely plausible way. Bette Davis is absolutely brilliant in this role, and frankly she was robbed of the Academy Award for Best Actress that year (that is a drama in and of itself). I did not see this movie until I was about 30, after having seen many of Bette Davis' other films since I was a child, so I was on Team Jane/Bette Davis from the get-go, even though Jane was doing such awful things, but the reveal of the plot twist still got me the first time I saw it.
YES! THE MALTESE FALCON, one of the greatest film noirs of all time, well I got some new movies in my wishlist for you on the Noirvember series the following are:
Mildred Pierce (1945)
The Lost Weekend (1945)
Gilda (1946)
Out of the Past (1947)
Gun Crazy (1950)
The Big Sleep (1946)
Strangers on a train (1951)
The Night of the Hunter (1955)
Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
and Touch of Evil (1958)
Looking forward to your reaction MIA.
😱 OMG...Night of the Hunter TERRIFIED ME (just saw it last year for the 1st time and I am FULLY GROWN)...but I couldn't sleep for the next couple of nights ! IT...IS ...SOOOOO EERIE...Bad dream/ Nightmarish! ❤😮
Great one! Like many people here, I also recommend to anyone who loves this movie or is a Betty & Joan fan to watch Ryan Murphy's mini-series Feud. I'm now in the mood to re-watch it!
Mia - it was a pleasure and a hoot to watch you react to this movie and see it through your eyes as you watched it for the first time - you really picked up on its strange mixture of humor and horror - and you made me laugh! Thanks
Loved your reaction! This film is a masterpiece... something you hit on his own the Hudson sisters, live in the past -- their house looks old-fashioned and their clothes, hair, and even the car. We see that in contrast to the modern (for the time) neighbors.
after i seen Pearl (2022) my friends told me to watch this since pearl is inspired from this and I'm obsessed! also love how your channel is reactions to older films! need to appreciate these gems
Hi, Mia, I love your thoughtful, astute reviews. Bravo on another fine job.
FUN FACT: When I was in my 20's and 30's, my family often went to Easter Sunday Brunch at the Ramada Inn near LaGuardia airport, and the piano player would always do his rendition of "I've Written a Letter to Daddy." People used to practically line up to put money in his tip jar every time! (From a huge Joan Crawford fan here.)
p.s.: May I say your manicure is everything!
Wow! That is amazing 😁 yeah it certainly is catchy, in fact it’s in my head as I am writing this LOL!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for watching!! And special thanks for noticing my nails! I actually do them myself and that particular set was a fun one to wear!!
I just love twists that can change your whole perspective in a second watch, now knowing the entire story, with the whole context. An absolute masterpiece.
Also, it looks like after the big revelation, Jane really looks better than she did through the movie. Not sure if they changed the make up or the lighting or perhaps her presence and Bette's acting.
It's purely Bette's acting. She could project like nobody's business!
You mentioned " how do you have that much resentment of your own blood" Just look at Harry to William.
Those Giant Eye paintings were a big thing in the 60's
Joan was actually under MGM for most of her career, which is why her and Bette didn't have much relation until the movie
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR COMMENTARY!!! It is quite apparent that you’ve never seen this movie before, because you’re reactions are so sincere, unlike many other, RUclips presenters, who act as though they’re watching a movie for the first time, but there are just certain reactions that are natural, and some that seem rehearsed. Well, let me tell you, it is so so so obvious. This is your first time seeing ‘WHTBJ?’ because I can remember the first time I watched it, & the feeling of shock and the same exact reactions you’re having!! lol lol
I have so much enjoyed watching this movie - you for the first time - me for the hundredth time, and getting to enjoy your reactions, which reminds me why I liked the movie so much. I don’t know if you meant to say it the way you did, when you said the comment regarding “Misery” (which coincidentally I swear I just watched yesterday before I even happened across your channel. Anyway, you mention something about the picture “Misery’ (and also something about the housekeeper, who’s name is Miss Elvira Bates.) and I was wondering if you did that on purpose because misery was starring Kathy Bates……. Did you even realize that at the time??? lol lol
Your first time commentary is the best I’ve ever seen, with regards to any movie, and any movie commentary on RUclips!! Excellent job!!
I’ll be back to your channel again I assure you ! 😎
Thank you so much for watching 😁 and no I hadn’t made the connection between Elvira Bates and Kathy Bates from Misery, but that is wild 😆!
My fave "Hagsploitation" movie!
I saw this in the theater when I was 11 years old . It blew me away . A long , long time ago , in a galaxy far , far away .
Hush Hush sweet Charlotte's a another good one. It has got Betty Davis and Olivia de Havilland.
This film was 'life imitating art". IRL,they detested each other.I personally never rated Crawford,Bette Davis,OTOH, is my all time fave actress.A true legend of the silver screen.
Joan Crawford was contracted with Metro Goldwyn Mayer from 1925 until 1942 she then went over to Warner Brothers.
Have seen this film many times but just realized the painting you zoomed in on at the beginning is by Margaret Keane, famous for her portraits of subjects with big eyes. Tim Burton directed biopic of her actually titled Big Eyes in 2014.
Has anyone requested Gaslight (1944) yet? I'd love to see you watch it! Ingrid Bergman is superb!
And it gave rise to the modern term "Gaslighting".
@phemyda94 Your wish was Mia's command.
we love your channel! - your enthusiasm is contagious - I love watching your videos and enjoy seeing your growth as a historian and look forward to your growth in theory. I had a summer camp in Chgo for 20 years that focused on film - and had survey classes in Gothic Film into Literature and Film Noir. When speaking of Warner Bros. the Bros is BROTHERS - like with DR. we say doctor not Drrr. Warner Brothers was Bette's second studio - the first was Universal - and as others have mentioned below, Joan was an MGM player from the the 1920's until she left in the early 40's. Bothe she and Bette had long term contracts with their favored production studio.....BEYOND THE FOREST - you must see! Joseph Cotton! Bette Davis. and of course, Joan's Sudden Fear!
Seems amazing, but Victor Buono (who played Edwin Flagg) was only 24 years old during filming.
Why? He looks young in it. Definitely in his twenties.
One of the best films of all time. Bette Davis is a true Icon and she solidified it with this film. Joan Crawford is equally brilliant.
Producer Guy: "What made her want to revive her act now at this point in time?"
Script Writer: "Because this is when the movie happens."
The teenager next door is played by Bette Davis daughter. I enjoyed your reaction and I love that you do classic films (sorry..... pictures).
Yes! I learned that after watching the film! How sweet! Thank you so much for watching!!
@@MoviesWithMia It's a bit of a commitment (I think maybe 8-10 episodes) but there is a streaming series called Feud: Bette and Joan which dramatizes the real story behind the making of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. It stars Jessica Lange (recently known well by American Horror Story fans, but has had a long and illustrious career spanning decades) and Susan Sarandon. It is so well done. Lots of old Hollywood stories, anecdotes and personalities. Impressive performances by Lange and Sarandon. You should definitely check it out.
If you ever saw Gypsy starring Natalie Wood there are two sisters based true story. Baby Jane was June Haver and the older sister was Gypsy Rose Lee. This Baby Jane is a twist it seems.
Not sure if anyone mentioned it, but the young actress playing the neighbour's daughter is Bette's daughter, Barbara Hyman.
Glad to see someone delve into this movie. It scared the pants off me when I first watched it. Your input is spot on.
I watched that movie as a kid of about 7 and it traumatized me because of Blanche's total helplessness in the face of pure evil.
Welcome back Mia
I've seen this movie when I was younger. I could not wait to see your reaction to the twist. I enjoyed this.
My favorite movie of all time! I just love Bette Davis ✌️
Norma Desmond! Yes! Baby Jane living in her own world of past glories definitely resonates with the character of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. When you're ready for more movies starring Bette Davis check out some of these classics -- Of Human Bondage (1934), Bordertown (1935), The Petrified Forest (1936), Marked Woman (1937), Jezebel (1938), Dark Victory (1939), The Little Foxes (1941), Now, Voyager (1942), and Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964) among many others. And when you're ready for more movies starring Joan Crawford check out some of these classics -- Grand Hotel (1932), Rain (1932), The Women (1939), A Woman's Face (1941), Mildred Pierce (1945), Possessed (1947), Flamingo Road (1949), and Johnny Guitar (1954) among many others.
The Nanny and Strait Jacket !!! Nuts
Lucy Harbon took an axe, took an axe,took an axe….. Joan fighting Joan ….. I love you I hate you I love you I hate you! How bizarre?
Joan Crawford was under contract with MGM for many years. She signed with Warner Brothers after she was let go by MGM.
Crawford was never let go by MGM. She negotiated the end of her contract early to get better roles at Warners. All her good roles were being handed to Greer Garson at the time. Later, Louie B Mayer who was head of production at MGM was sorry he let Crawford getaway after her career went into a "renaissance" at Warner's ...
A correction: Bette was at Warner, Joan was at MGM for years before moving over to WB. I'm enjoying your series. I'm surprised that someone who loves movies the way you do haven't seen so many of these classics. I've seen most of them and am so enjoying watching you discover them. By the way, the neighbor's daughter was Bette's real life daughter.
I recommend watching Davis in the 1968 "The Anniversary" which was for Hammer Films, a dark comedy.
Really looking forward to "The Maltese Falcon", the #1 film noir. I got to see it on the big screen about 10 years ago thanks to TCM.
Bette Davis actually did place an advertisement in Variety magazine, very acerbically worded, do look it up. Btw, the actress playing the neighbour's daughter is Barbara "BD" Davis, Bette's real life daughter. Watching your reaction at the end was priceless, a fantastic reaction. Well done.
Oh my! You gave me a heart! Never got one before! Also I never noticed the scary painting at nosey Mrs. Bates house and I know every single word in this movie!! Perspective I guess. Now I need that painting
This movie stresses me out more than any other movie ever !!! Davis should have won the Oscar. No doubt!!! She may have not been great to work with but dang this performance. Not kidding I am stressed just watching you review it let alone the whole movie. Phew this one got me
It's so fun watching movies with you!
Loved this watchalong, especially your anticipations! I've seen this movie 3 times, but watching it with you made me realize how awesome the twist actually is. There's a DVD version with audio commentary by John Epperson aka Lypsinka. They bring great insight about the movie. 24:14 hahaha
Would love to see you cover Godzilla (1954) some time in the future, which I submitted as a request.
By the way, welcome back.
No one holds a candle to these two. I can't imagine any current actresses playing in a remake of this.
There was a 1994 remake starring real-life sisters Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave.
@@RaymondHng Seen it. The Redgraves are stoic, credible actors. They don’t hold a candle to Davis and Crawford. It’s a good example of why remakes are a waste of time.
I said “playing in a remake”, by which I meant giving a performance that adds to the canon. Anyone can spew the lines, capturing the alchemy of an original is impossible.
You should watch the “Feud: Bette and Joan” series.
It goes into Bette and Joan’s stories, the making of this film, and has incredible performances!
There's a lot of fiction in that series.
Olivia de Havilland was critical of the production and storyline. She, of course was from the same era and knew both women.
@@Dan-B It's good to be aware of, though. Be Kind Rewind did an episode on it.
A definite must...even if it may or may not be a fact based fictiionalized maybe what if of a docudrama.. Susan Sarando is Bette Davis. .
Suggestions to continue the Bette Davis train: A Stolen Life 1946 & Dead Ringer 1963
She plays Twins in both of them!
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? combines powerhouse acting, rich atmosphere and absorbing melodrama in service of a rainy thriller with thought-provoking subtext, WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (1962) 92/100% Certified Approved ☑️
This is one of my all-time favorite movies; thank you so much for reacting to this film, I was really happy when i saw this! :)
Fantastic reaction, Mia! Loved how riled up this got you, only to see you change at the twist ending!
Definitely looking forward to seeing your reaction to THE MALTESE FALCON (1941), as you can no doubt imagine.
When this had its theatrical release, my parents went to see it. Mother returned, VERY shaken. My mother looked very much like Joan Crawford, and though also a brunette, her mother had a certain resemblance to Bette Davis. There was just a little too much truth of their relationship in the script.
Hollywood should have stopped making movies the day Crawford and Davis passed away . Ever since they have struggled to find actors as great as Davis and Crawford. Rest in Eternal peace to humanity greatest artist's.
In Blanche's defense, completely aside from the plot twist at the end, the reason she's being passive with Jane is because she is completely dependent on her. Just like when she got brave enought to demand "Why are you doing these awful things to me?" she had to backtrack immediately when Jane asked her in return, "And just _what_ awful things am I doing to you?" Jane is vindictive and cruel, and had Blanche continued to confront her in that moment, you can see that Blanche is calculating the ramifications; will Jane double down on her cruelty if Blanche confronts her? People who are mentally and emotionally abused by their parents or caregivers rarely confront them because they don't want to make them mad and risk retaliation. You placate the abuser to keep them calm and happy because you can't predict when they might strike. And when you are helpless and trapped like Blanche was, that is a risk you just can't take.
WONDERFUL review of a WONDERFUL WONDERFUL Film !!
Late, great, Victor Buono. RIP.
I'm so happy that you chose "What Ever Happened To Baby Jane". This movie showed up on my radar after I watched "Feud" (2017) Anthology series.
After you watched it? You saw the series before the film? That's interesting.
Happy Birthday Gina Gillespie who played young Blanche. Her birthday is Sept 20 today she is 72 i believe.
in this movie appears a younger Victor Buono, known in the Batman tv how as King Tut, Pharaoh of Gothic, presumed title obviously
I’m writing this letter to Mia, saying I love u, this movie and my sister from another mister. I can see both sides. I kinda experienced both sides with my sis. We talk to each other like you talked to us.
One of my favorite classic movies of all time...
Your reaction to the plot twist was priceless 😂😂I'm so excited for your reaction toThe Maltese Falcon, an ultimate noir classic!
Excellent reaction! You should consider watching "Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte," which was directed by the same man and was supposed to star Bette Davis and Joan Crawford again, but Joan got replaced due to drama and was replaced by Olivia de Havilland. I'm probably in the minority but I prefer "Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte" to "Baby Jane."
Great movie as well. In her private time, she might like the recent miniseries "Feud" with Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon playing Crawford and Davis during the making of those two movies, and the whole Oscar scandal, and the like.
Thanks for opening with the background, it answers some questions about how this movie happened. Good observations.
Very glad you watched this film. It was an excellent story and yes, disturbing.
Blanche didn't scream because she couldn't. She was dehydrated and weak from being starved. And had been kicked unconscious by Jane.
Rank Elvira in the top 2 strongest roles for African American actresses up to that time!
We flocked to the theaters to see this. It was like witnessing the ghosts of the golden age.
Ryan Murphy director/writer of American horror story made a show called Feud: Bette and Joan showcasing the feud between the two and Jessica Lang as Joan and Susan Sarandon as Bette Davis are both perfect in there roles.
I saw Baby Jane for the very first time in my teens, back in the 70's, on a late night TV movie show. I already knew the two stars famous feud reading about it im papers and magazines. But never imagined what a feast this movie could be. It was a shock and a wonderful surprise. Two weeks after that, again on late night TV, I saw All About Eve, and it just blew my mind. Since then Bette Davis is my all time favorite. Dangerous, Jezebel, The Letter, Now,Voyager, The Little Foxes, Hush,Hush, Sweet Charlotte... and, of course, Death on the Nile, when she treats Maggie Smith's character really viciously and very funny. There is no other! Queen Bette!
Bette Davis gave I e of the gutsiest performances in film history. They don't make actresses like that any more. Having said the, I have to assume you were raised by fuzzy bunnies if you think families are always healthy and supportive.
It’s such an amazing story. They were both robbed of awards for it. One with help but still.
The painting at 8:34 is by Margaret Keane. She recently passed.
This film is truly outstanding. I had the privilege to see it in the Stanford Theater, an old classic theater, and it blew me away. So glad you enjoyed it. Modern movie fans need to see more classics like this.
The first twenty years of her career, Joan was at MGM, she only came later to Warner Bros.