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What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) | Movie Review | Just That Film Podcast | One of the Greatest Psychological Thrillers Ever Made?
Description
In this episode of Just That Film Podcast, we revisit What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962), Robert Aldrich’s chilling psychological thriller that brought together two of Hollywood’s biggest legends, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, in one of cinema’s most unforgettable screen rivalries.
Based on Henry Farrell’s novel, the film stars Bette Davis as the unhinged former child star Baby Jane Hudson and Joan Crawford as her wheelchair-bound sister Blanche. Also featuring Victor Buono, Maidie Norman, Anna Lee, and Marjorie Bennett, the film explores jealousy, resentment, faded fame, and family trauma in a suspenseful story that has become a landmark of the psychological horror genre.
We discuss Bette Davis’ extraordinary Academy Award-nominated performance, Joan Crawford’s understated brilliance, Robert Aldrich’s masterful direction, Ernest Haller’s haunting black-and-white cinematography, and Frank De Vol’s unsettling score. We also delve into the legendary off-screen feud between Davis and Crawford, which has become almost as famous as the film itself and only adds to the intensity of their unforgettable performances.
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? revived both actresses’ careers and helped launch the “psycho-biddy” subgenre of psychological horror.
Is What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? one of the greatest psychological thrillers ever made, and does Bette Davis deliver one of the greatest performances in cinema history?
🎬 Topics include:
• Bette Davis’ unforgettable performance as Baby Jane
• Joan Crawford’s powerful portrayal of Blanche
• The legendary Hollywood rivalry
• Robert Aldrich’s masterful direction
• The film’s shocking twists and suspense
• Themes of fame, jealousy, and family
• Favourite scenes and unforgettable moments
• Why What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? remains a timeless classic
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