Is Whatever Happened to Baby Jane a Good or Bad Film

WHTBJ was released in the early 60s and proved to be a boost for the flagging careers of former movie stars, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. But was the movie good or bad in your view?

As for me yes it was a good psychological thriller with mood, atmosphere and growing suspense that kept me totally enthralled. I suppose you could call me biased as I have always been a huge Bette Davis devotee and have watched almost everything she made several times over.

WHTBJ was one of Bette's best, reviving her career after she bagged the Oscar nomination for Best Actress...

I think it's a great film and currently have it as the 3rd best film of '62.

The lead actress Oscar race that year has the best line-up ever btw.

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HEI guys.

No way is Whatever Happened to Baby Jane a bad film. It's an excellent movie and just as importantly a fun watch. It's been a while but both actresses create memorable characters, I need to see it again.

It's pretty great.

I agree.

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I’m here only on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays. That’s why I’m here now.

It's a very good film, entertaining, well written and with fantastic performances.

Likewise! It’s excellent and really unique.

Your response Mo Fos shows clearly that Whatever Happened To Baby Jane is a good film.

What are your views on this Mo Fos.

Before the filming of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, Bette Davis and and co star Joan Crawford had to be almost begged to work together as over the previous three decades the pair had rarely spoken to each because of a feud mainly due to a falling out by the two over actor Franchot Tone who chose to give his affections to Joan over Bette. There was also simmering under the surface professional jealousy, the biggest being in 1945 when Joan won the Oscar for her role in Mildred Pierce, which was originally offered to Bette who had evidently turned it down (per The Hollywood Reporter).

While WHRBJ was shooting their relationship became bitter,even malicious. Rumor has it that Bette actually kicked Joan in the head during a scene while Joan filled her pockets with stones, making her heavier to move during a scene where Bette was required to drag Joan from the bed to hide her when an unexpected guest arrived...

I remember watching Bette Davis as a guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and on Late Night with David Letterman. She was asked about Joan Crawford and did this funny pause like she was thinking, 'what the hell!'. She referred to herself as an 'actress' and Joan Crawford disparagingly as a 'star'. That says alot.

It does. Joan deserved her Oscar as she excelled in Mildred Pierce. Wager Bette was more angry at herself for turning down the part when offered it. Have to say Bette comes across as immature, like the child whose toy is taken away. No worse than Joan, who when she learned she was not being nominated for Baby Jane wanted to spoil Bette's nite by accepting the award for the winner. That is so vindictive and at the same time big noting herself. Joan had her acting moments but Bette was the 'actress' and she the 'star' as is made clear in The Feud.

I''ve like Joan Crawford given the right material she was an A list actor. One thing I'll say about Joan she never phoned in her performance. Even in her last few movies that were b budget bombs she gave it her all...she really went to the wall when acting.

I like the scene where the dead bird is served up on a platter! I haven't seen it for a while though so may watch it online.

Now dont bite off my head @Ellie, but think you will find it was a dead RAT.
Doubt you will find Baby Jane to watch free online, hope I'm wrong. Probably have to buy the DVD.

[quote=Citizen Rules;2479052]...One thing I'll say about Joan she never phoned in her performance.


Please explain, am intrigued.

I think one can entertain the idea of why it would be considered a bad movie, but it just works immensely well. It may be the best movie ever at the particular brand of things it tries to do, with the acting, the makeup and the overall tone. It is caricaturized to the point of uncanny and that could normally inspire more than a few criticisms, but the way every actor and particularly Bette Davis carry this through, the way Aldrich films these almost cartoonish story elements to an effectively mesmerizing horror tale, make this an outstanding work and one of my faves of its quite packed year.

[quote=RichieRich;2479239]'Phoning in a performance' is what a performer does when they don't care about the movie. Now with Joan Crawford I've never seen her give less than 100% to her acting, even in some of her last movies which weren't good, yet she still was worth watching.

A rat!! 😮 I always thought it was a bird!

[quote=Citizen Rules;2479302][quote=RichieRich;2479239]...'Phoning in a performance' is what a performer does when they don't care about the movie..


Had not heard that expression. Did Bette?

I watched it again recently for the umpteenth time,can assure you it was a big dead rat. But a small bird was also placed into a salad, so you are correct.