What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
The real horror story emanates from behind the scenes
| 15 Jul 2006
Remember 2002's 'Chicago'? Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones played two femme fatales, each trying to upstage the other at every turn. When publicising the film, however, they showed what good friends they really were by posing in embraces so tight, it was as though each actress was trying to absorb the other. Or break her ribs. It's sweet, really it is, but don't you long for the good, juicy stories where two co-stars of equal fame simply loathe one-another?
Consider then, Warner Bros' release of the 1962 cult horror/thriller "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" Starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. The film tells the story of former child star Jane Hudson, now a drunk, washed-up, mentally unstable caretaker to poor sister Blanche, an equally famous actress crippled in a car accident involving the two. The real horror story, however, emanates from behind the scenes. In real life, the two actresses had been infamously feuding for years, and '...Jane' provided the ultimate Hollywood Clash of the Titans.
This publicly denied hostility between Davis and Crawford had spanned throughout their careers, and was no real secret. Davis was an actress; Crawford, a star. Quite simply, each desired the other's appeal.
Signs of trouble were present from the moment the two ladies signed their contracts. So momentous was their agreement to work together, it generated much press attention. At the photocall for the signing, Davis instinctively sat on the right, so that her name would be first in the picture's caption. Crawford, savvy to this move, stood up and placed herself behind and to the right of Davis, beating her at her own game: One-nil to Crawford.
As the filming continued, the animosity worsened. It started with the little things: chocolates were replaced with raw meat, nearly choking one actress, while the other claimed it was for her diet. Conversely, Baby Jane serving Blanche a dead rat for dinner was Davis' idea, and Crawford was not expecting it. That scream of surprise and repulsion is genuine.
Similarly, watch closely at the scene where Jane kicks Blanche in the head. If it looks a little realistic, there's a very good reason. Reports from the set allege that Crawford screamed and eventually needed stitches, while Davis huffed "I barely touched you" and strutted off set.
Revenge was taken during a scene in which Davis had to carry an 'unconscious' Crawford across the room. Not only did Crawford secretly wear a lead weightlifter's belt under her costume, but 'accidentally' regained consciousness during the take, causing a re-shoot. Davis damaged her back from the strain and needed medical attention; this time the walk of triumph belonged to Crawford.
Against all odds, the stars managed to survive working together and the film proved an unexpected success. After forty years, the film is even better known in this day and age, having gained cult status over time. After a made-for-TV remake starring the Redgrave sisters (and a French and Saunders send-up), the film was also adapted into a stage musical last year. So now, its DVD release is finally available in a Special Edition – released on July 17th - with all the accessories you would expect from these two Hollywood greats.
As an epilogue, the final battle would come after the film's release at the Academy Awards. Davis was nominated for her performance; Crawford was not. Undeterred, Crawford contacted all other nominees in the Best Actress category, offering to accept awards on their behalf if they couldn't make it, including an on-stage Anne Bancroft, nominated for 'The Miracle Worker'. That Oscar night, both actresses were side by side, chain-smoking in the wings, as the winner, Anne Bancroft, was announced. Crawford spent the rest of the night posing for photographs with all the other winners, while Davis was pushed out of the spotlight. Years later on the 'Tonight Show' Davis would tell of how she was "robbed" by Crawford who "clutched Ms Bancroft's award into her bosom" and "kept it for a year." Not since these heady days has Hollywood seen such locked shields, making 'Baby Jane' the perfect film for those who love a good fight.
Consider then, Warner Bros' release of the 1962 cult horror/thriller "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" Starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. The film tells the story of former child star Jane Hudson, now a drunk, washed-up, mentally unstable caretaker to poor sister Blanche, an equally famous actress crippled in a car accident involving the two. The real horror story, however, emanates from behind the scenes. In real life, the two actresses had been infamously feuding for years, and '...Jane' provided the ultimate Hollywood Clash of the Titans.
This publicly denied hostility between Davis and Crawford had spanned throughout their careers, and was no real secret. Davis was an actress; Crawford, a star. Quite simply, each desired the other's appeal.
Signs of trouble were present from the moment the two ladies signed their contracts. So momentous was their agreement to work together, it generated much press attention. At the photocall for the signing, Davis instinctively sat on the right, so that her name would be first in the picture's caption. Crawford, savvy to this move, stood up and placed herself behind and to the right of Davis, beating her at her own game: One-nil to Crawford.
As the filming continued, the animosity worsened. It started with the little things: chocolates were replaced with raw meat, nearly choking one actress, while the other claimed it was for her diet. Conversely, Baby Jane serving Blanche a dead rat for dinner was Davis' idea, and Crawford was not expecting it. That scream of surprise and repulsion is genuine.
Similarly, watch closely at the scene where Jane kicks Blanche in the head. If it looks a little realistic, there's a very good reason. Reports from the set allege that Crawford screamed and eventually needed stitches, while Davis huffed "I barely touched you" and strutted off set.
Revenge was taken during a scene in which Davis had to carry an 'unconscious' Crawford across the room. Not only did Crawford secretly wear a lead weightlifter's belt under her costume, but 'accidentally' regained consciousness during the take, causing a re-shoot. Davis damaged her back from the strain and needed medical attention; this time the walk of triumph belonged to Crawford.
Against all odds, the stars managed to survive working together and the film proved an unexpected success. After forty years, the film is even better known in this day and age, having gained cult status over time. After a made-for-TV remake starring the Redgrave sisters (and a French and Saunders send-up), the film was also adapted into a stage musical last year. So now, its DVD release is finally available in a Special Edition – released on July 17th - with all the accessories you would expect from these two Hollywood greats.
As an epilogue, the final battle would come after the film's release at the Academy Awards. Davis was nominated for her performance; Crawford was not. Undeterred, Crawford contacted all other nominees in the Best Actress category, offering to accept awards on their behalf if they couldn't make it, including an on-stage Anne Bancroft, nominated for 'The Miracle Worker'. That Oscar night, both actresses were side by side, chain-smoking in the wings, as the winner, Anne Bancroft, was announced. Crawford spent the rest of the night posing for photographs with all the other winners, while Davis was pushed out of the spotlight. Years later on the 'Tonight Show' Davis would tell of how she was "robbed" by Crawford who "clutched Ms Bancroft's award into her bosom" and "kept it for a year." Not since these heady days has Hollywood seen such locked shields, making 'Baby Jane' the perfect film for those who love a good fight.
This DVD is out now.