Spread the love Movies with surprises and twists can be a real treat, making us question what we know. Think about Psycho, The Sixth Sense, and others that kept us guessing. One such film in this genre is “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” made in 1962 by Robert Aldrich, starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. It introduced a unique subgenre called psycho-biddy to Hollywood.
The Beginning
The story begins with Baby Jane Hudson, played by Bette Davis, who was a famous child star performing alongside her father. This led her sister Blanche, portrayed by Joan Crawford, to grow up resenting her. The feeling was mutual as Jane also had little love for Blanche. However, their lives took a drastic turn.
Career Decline
As Jane’s career faded and her style went out of fashion, she turned to alcohol. Despite her decline, she clung to her former glory by dressing as the nine-year-old girl she once was. This transformation made her look eccentric, out of place, and disturbed. But viewers couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the fallen star.
The Accident
One fateful evening, after returning from a party, tragedy struck. Blanche crashed her car, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down, while Jane escaped unharmed. Rumors swirled, pointing fingers at Jane, who was found drunk days after the accident.
This incident put an end to Blanche’s acting career and left her confined to a wheelchair in the mansion, purchased with her earnings. Blanche’s plan to sell the house and commit Jane to a mental institution pushed Jane to cut off all contact with the outside world, including removing the phone from the house.
Dark Secrets
Jane’s actions took a sinister turn as she began to torment her paralyzed sister. She prepared food she knew Blanche wouldn’t eat, including dead rats and their pet parakeet. Jane’s cruelty didn’t go unnoticed, and their servant, Elvira, discovered her horrifying actions. Jane’s response was to murder Elvira and hide her body.
Days later, Jane received a call from the police, informing her that the servant had gone missing. Panic set in, and Jane decided to flee. She took Blanche, who was on the brink of death due to starvation, to a beach for one last outing. That’s when Blanche made a shocking confession.
The Revelation
Blanche confessed that Jane was not responsible for her paralysis or the car crash that night. In fact, Blanche had intended to kill Jane as revenge for the humiliation she had suffered at the party. She had planned to run Jane over as she opened the mansion’s gates, but Jane, even in her drunken state, managed to evade the oncoming car, causing Blanche to crash into the metal gate.
Jane’s Freedom
Blanche’s confession cleared Jane of any wrongdoing. Overjoyed and consumed by madness, Jane began dancing with two ice cream cones in hand, reminiscent of her childhood. The police, who had been searching for her, spotted her amidst a crowd that had gathered due to her antics.
While Blanche’s death was not confirmed, it was heavily implied that she died from starvation. She was finally free from her torment and had confessed her sins. However, Jane’s troubles were far from over, as she had to face the consequences of Elvira’s murder. Jane’s character remained trapped in her childlike mentality throughout the film.
Did Blanche Die at the End?
Yes, it is highly likely that Blanche died at the end of “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” due to the relentless abuse and neglect inflicted upon her by her sister Jane. Although the film doesn’t explicitly confirm her death, the theme suggests that she passed away.
The Twist
The most significant twist in the film is when Blanche reveals that Jane was not responsible for her paralysis or the car crash. Instead, Blanche confesses that she had attempted to kill Jane as an act of revenge for the humiliation she had endured at the party. Blanche’s revelation turns the tables on who the true villain is.
Identifying the Villain
At first glance, it appears that Jane is the villain of the story due to her cruel actions, including murder, starvation, and torture. She also cut off all communication with the outside world and refused to install an elevator to aid Blanche’s mobility.
However, the film’s ultimate twist reveals that Blanche had plotted to kill Jane, leading to the car crash that paralyzed her. Blanche’s failure to confess this for decades makes her the true villain and the root cause of their misfortunes. Their intense rivalry and mutual hatred could have been different if Blanche had spoken the truth earlier.
My Final Opinion, “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” is a gripping psychological thriller with a surprising ending that challenges our perceptions of hero and villain. It’s a classic that continues to captivate audiences with its dark and twisted tale.
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