393. What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?

What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?
1962
Directed by Robert Aldrich

I remember watching this movie alone in my house when I was younger and quickly realizing that I had made a horrible mistake.  I then stopped it until my mom came home and she was just as frightened as I was when she sat down to watch it with me.  This film is creepy as hell but a great movie to watch with Halloween coming up!

Baby Jane Hudson was a big star child while her sister was largely was largely overlooked.  That changed when they became older and Blanche became the glamorous star while all of Jane's movies were commercial failures.  A mysterious accident left Blanche crippled and entirely dependent on her crazy sister who is pretty much a more delusional Annie Wilkes.

So like I said, this movie is creepy as all get out.  The worst moment for me was when Jane just laughs and laughs after serving her sister a cooked rat.  My sister was terrified by the bird's eye view shot of Blanche knocking herself off the walls in her wheelchair.  And, of course, when there are dolls of any kind involved everything gets ten times scarier.

Everyone knows about the famous Davis and Crawford dispute and although it must have been hell to work with them, the hate and jealousy that they had for each other was perfect for their characters.

So one of my favorite horror films and one that might get another viewing this coming Halloween!

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Bette Davis was nominated for an Oscar for this film.  Joan Crawford heavily supported Anne Bancroft for the win out of spite.

Bette Davis said that she imagined Jane would never remove her make up and would just keep adding layer after layer to make herself look younger.  This is the look that is in the film.

Hold on to your butts, as Samuel Jackson would say. Trailer:

294. Kiss Me Deadly

Kiss Me Deadly
1955
Directed by Robert Aldrich

EWWWWWWW!!!

I thought I should be honest about my initial reaction to film, which starts out with a rather gruesome torture scene that I hope I forget soon.  This is, of course, after the credits roll backwards.  I knew I was in for a rather strange experience.

Mike Hammer, a tough private eye (is there any other kind?), gives a ride to a mysterious young woman.  All the mystery and intrigue around this movie revolves around a shiny briefcase.  Shiny briefcases are always causing trouble in movies.

This is probably one of the most disturbing film noirs I have seen.  Most are fun, satisfying, and not that thought provoking.  This, on the other hand, seemed like a Darren Aronofsky movie.  It blows my mind that this film was made in 1955.

This movie is like a fun roller coaster that makes you sick but in the end you are still glad you went on it.  But be prepared for some major grossness.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Cloris Leachman's first movie role.

The Kefauver Commission named this as the number one threat to America's youth in 1955.