As a cinephile who grew up in the golden age of Hollywood and has been enamored with classic films since my youth, I must say that revisiting “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” on Tubi has been an absolute delight. The film’s dark allure, combined with the electrifying performances by Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, makes it a timeless masterpiece in psychological horror-thrillers.
It’s no surprise that some of the best horror movies were produced during the 1960s. Classics like “Psycho,” “Rosemary’s Baby,” “Night of the Living Dead,” and “The Birds” immediately come to mind, but among these was a psychological horror-thriller from 1962 that has since become a genre classic, despite its campy aspects. Over six decades later, this Academy Award-nominated film is enjoying renewed popularity as a streaming success on Tubi and is being rediscovered by many new viewers.
According to Tubi, the movie “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” currently ranks number five on its Top 10 list, nestled between “Queen of the Damned” and the popular Robin Williams film “Mrs. Doubtfire.” This classic horror released on Halloween in 1962 features legendary actresses Bette Davis and Joan Crawford as bitter former child stars living together in a Hollywood mansion, where they engage in sisterly torment. To make matters even more intriguing, Joan Crawford’s character is confined to a wheelchair, which heightens the suspense of the movie.
As a cinephile, I found myself captivated by Robert Aldrich’s haunting masterpiece, “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?”, which was initially met with mixed reactions but later garnered critical acclaim, earning five Academy Award nominations. Despite winning only for Best Costume Design – Black-and-White, the film boasts a remarkable 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?’ Was Good, Campy Fun
Reflecting on the movie now, it’s evident that both The Times and The Tribune failed to hit the bullseye with their reviews. A significant part of the enjoyment from What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? lies in watching Davis and Crawford portray exaggerated versions of themselves, as they were two of the most popular actresses during their era, breaking away from their usual roles in Aldrich’s film.
Davis portrayed Jane Hudson exceptionally well, a character with Narcissistic Personality Disorder and potential schizophrenic tendencies. At times, her alcoholism exacerbated the situation, leading her to mistreat her sister who was experiencing a career revival due to her old films being rebroadcast on TV. This renewed success only served to fan Jane’s jealousy.
In the film, Crawford skillfully portrays a sympathetic character who appears as a victim throughout, leaving viewers with a sense of pity. However, as the twist unfolds about how she became paralyzed, there’s a subtle shift in feelings towards her, tinged with a hint of resentment. This is precisely the effect the movie aims to create, making it even more impactful. To avoid spoiling the surprise for first-time viewers, we won’t reveal the plot twist here, as it adds to the enjoyment when experienced firsthand.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-30 23:02