What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? [50th Anniversary Edition]

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? [50th Anniversary Edition]

 Cast: Bette Davis
Bette Davis
, Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford
, Victor Buono
Victor Buono
, Anna Lee
Anna Lee
, Maidie Norman
Maidie Norman
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? [50th Anniversary Edition]

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? [50th Anniversary Edition]

 Cast: Bette Davis
Bette Davis
, Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford
, Victor Buono
Victor Buono
, Anna Lee
Anna Lee
, Maidie Norman
Maidie Norman

DVD (Special Edition / Anniversary Edition)

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Overview

This modern Gothic horror story drips with psychological terror instead of relying on dripping blood. Jane (Bette Davis) is the deranged former child star who lives with her disabled sister Blanche (Joan Crawford). Once the darling of vaudeville, Jane's attempts to parlay her childhood success as an adult fails miserably. Blanche, who was nondescript as a child, blossoms into one of Hollywood's biggest actresses. Jane is offered bit parts in forgettable films only at the insistence of her sister. Blanche's career is ended by an auto accident that leaves her confined to a wheelchair in her upstairs bedroom. As Jane continues her downward spiral brought on by alcohol and delusion, Blanche plans to sell their house and have Jane put in an institution. Hearing Blanche reveal her intentions while eavesdropping over the telephone, the enraged Jane subjects her sister to psychological tortures. She serves her a cooked rat for dinner, ties her up in bed, and pulls out the telephone chord so Balance can't call for help. Their maid Elvira (Maidie Norman) discovers Blanche after many days confined to her bed, bound and gaged by her sister. While attempting to free Blanche, Jane kills Elvira in the only episode of physical violence in the film. The insane Jane places an add for a musician in an abortive attempt to revive her childhood success. Edwin Flagg (Victor Buono) is the heavy set man who is the only one who responds to Jane's advertisement. He quickly plans to use Jane as a meal ticket to cut the apron strings to his overbearing, overprotective mother. He eventually runs out on her when he discovers Blanche nearly dead in her bedroom prison. Jane takes Blanche to a nearby beach where she plans to bury her alive in the sand. Blanche confesses that the auto accident that ended her career was an attempt to kill Jane that backfired. Jane has felt responsible for her sister's condition for years and was driven to alcoholism and insanity by guilt and her inability to succeed as an adult actress. The maid's body is discovered and police trace the sisters to the beach. The police watch in disbelief as the now completely insane Jane dances her childhood vaudeville routine around her motionless, crippled sister on the public beach. Davis and Buono received Oscar nominations for their gripping performances. Both Crawford and Davis had their careers revived by the film. Ironically, the role of Blanche was to be played by Davis, who was none-to-pleased when the role went to Crawford.

Product Details

Release Date: 10/09/2012
UPC: 0883929255481
Original Release: 1962
Rating: NR
Source: Warner Home Video
Region Code: 1
Presentation: [B&W, Wide Screen]
Sound: [Dolby Digital Mono, Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language: English
Time: 2:13:00
Sales rank: 4,592

Special Features

Closed Caption; ; Commentary by Charles Busch and John Epperson; Three Documentary Profiles: Bette and Joan: Blind Ambition ; All About Bette (Hosted by Jodie Foster) and Film Profile: Joan Crawford; Behind the scenes with Baby Jane; The Andy Williams Show (1962) excerpt featuring Bette Davis)

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Bette Davis Baby Jane Hudson
Joan Crawford Blanche Hudson
Victor Buono Edwin Flagg
Anna Lee Mrs. Bates
Maidie Norman Elvira Stitt
Marjorie Bennett Mrs. Della Flagg
Dave Willock Ray Hudson
Anne Barton Cora Hudson
Barbara D. Merrill Liza Bates
Julie Allred Young Jane
Gina Gillespie Blanche as a Child
Bert Freed Producer
Wesley Addy Director
William Aldrich Lunch Counter Assistant
Ernest Anderson Ice Cream Vendor
Don Ross Police Officer #1
James Seay Police Officer
Maxine Cooper Bank Teller
John Shay Police Officer #3
Robert Cornthwaite Dr. Shelby
Jon Shepodd Police Officer #4
Michael Fox Beach Motorcycle Cop
Peter Virgo Jr. Police Officer #5
Bobs Watson Newspaper Clerk
B.D. Merrill Liza Bates
Debbie Burton [singing]
Russ Conway Actor
Frank De Vol Composer

Technical Credits
Robert Aldrich Director,Producer
Lukas Heller Screenwriter
Don Steward Special Effects
Kenneth Hyman Executive Producer
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