Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte
1964  NR  DRAMA  2h 13min
CAST— Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotton, Agnes Moorehead, Cecil Kellaway, Victor Buono, Mary Astor
MUSIC— Frank DeVol  DIRECTOR— Robert Aldrich

     Whatever did happen to Baby Jane? Reportedly, she moved to the Deep South— Louisiana to be precise— and she changed her name to Charlotte Hollis. Okay, not really; but she’s still the craziest nut in the Snickers bar. As a young woman, Charlotte was once the prettiest little Belle you ever laid your eyes on (well, supposedly; the young girl’s face is obscured from view while you hear Bette Davis’ much older, cigarette hardened voice!), but she’s not the little angel that she appears to be: Charlotte has been having an affair with a married man! Gasp! When the truth is in danger of coming into light, he breaks it off with Charlotte. But when his dead body is found at a party (minus head and hand), blame is soon placed on her, though she is never convicted of the crime. The grisly murder and unsolved mystery of that night haunt Charlotte for over thirty years. Her cousin Miriam soon arrives, but along with her come many skeletons jumping out of many closets, as the long dormant mysteries soon find answers. With many plot twists, U-turns and just plain 360s, the film entertains throughout, even providing a few minimal chills. So, if you want the basic recipe for the film, just take Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962), stir in a bit of All About Eve (1950), whip vigorously until frothy, then bake at 350° for 133 minutes. Serve with mint juleps under the big ol’ magnolia.
OUR RATING— ***