By Melissa Antoinette Garza
If ever a horror film could tear your heart out, it is WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE (1962). Two of the strongest most idolized women in Hollywood history, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, own every moment as the shining stars of this picture. Sometimes their animosity is sadly highlighted more-so than the talents of these legendary actresses. Bottom line, I don’t care if they didn’t get along, they were phenomenal actresses. That’s why I watch their movies and that’s why I adore them still.
The film opens in 1917 and Baby Jane (Julie Allred) is a huge celebrity. She is the apple of her father’s eye and the community loves her. She’s the definition of a spoiled brat. Her fame is modeled after stars like Shirley Temple and Judy Garland.
Her sister Blanche (Gina Gillespie)is pushed aside and screamed at over nothing. Their mother (Anne Barton)tries to compensate and bring out the best in Blanche, who can’t help but be hurt and angry.
Fast forward to 1935, Blanche (Joan Crawford) is a big-time celebrity now. Baby Jane (Bette Davis) is a has-been who only holds on to her career because of the contract Blanche has guaranteeing her sister roles.
One night, Blanche is struck down by a car in front of their gate. The accident disables her. Now, she is at the mercy of mentally unwell Jane. The only ones to protect Blanche are the waitstaff.
That is how the film begins! Only at this point do the credits roll.
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE is one of the most intense thrillers of all time. The casting is superb. The plot, the pace, and the music used throughout creates one of the most unsettling and emotionally dynamic atmospheres in horror history.
Baby Jane is certainly the antagonist of the movie, but she’s not a villain. She’s a victim. She’s a victim of her overzealous father, her passive mother, an industry that turned their back on her and a world too cold for her sensitivity. Davis tells Jane’s story with every moment of her performance. Jane is a bitter and cruel alcoholic, but that was the life that was given to her. She was never given the skills to be anything but. Deep down, there is a good girl desperate to come out and love her sister. She just hates herself too much to ever show it. Davis breaks my heart here. I just want to adopt her. There will only ever be one Bette Davis.
Crawford is sensational as the disabled, but headstrong and seemingly moralistic Blanche. She forgives her sister for everything. When Jane throws her fan-mail away, gets rid of her bird or continuously insults her, Blanche is ready to forgive. Some of the things that Jane does are horrific, but Blanche’s forgiveness and Jane’s insanity preserves the sympathy the viewer feels.
Blanche for her own safety decides to sell her house and put Jane away. Jane doesn’t know and Blanche feels terribly guilty about doing it.
Both women play off one another marvelously. The female led cast rocks it out of the park.
One of the greatest movies ever made and starring two of the greatest performers ever to step foot on screen, WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE remains an honored classic and a personal favorite of mine.
Scared Stiff Rating: 9/10
