Ep 247 What Ever Happened to Baby Jane

It’s time for some Hollywood glamour on Welcome To Horror, as we ask “What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?” A film which gives some top tips for the family catering on a budget; introduces us to King Tut’s Cockney mum; and highlights the true diligence and observational skills of the LAPD. When it seems that a film exists primarily to pair two fading movie stars whose off-screen animosity was already legendary; it really shouldn’t be the masterpiece that “What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?” is. Director Robert Aldrich conjures stark Hollywood gothic, with lashings of cynical humour and a truly mean streak of domestic horror. Stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford give career-best performances in territory that is unflattering anathema to their past glories, with their rivalry and begrudging respect for each other’s talents forging absolute gold. Budgetary restraints help the film feel more “real” as normal studio techniques were too costly, giving aspects of the film (particularly the location work) a near-documentary edge. Whilst “…Baby Jane” somewhat revitalised the careers of Davis and Crawford, leading both into further work in the horror genre, nothing can touch this macabre pinnacle. Watch (or re-watch) to avoid spoilers and join us.