A former vaudeville child star torments her paraplegic sister, who eclipsed her as a movie star, in their decaying Hollywood mansion while desperately clinging to hopes of a comeback.A former vaudeville child star torments her paraplegic sister, who eclipsed her as a movie star, in their decaying Hollywood mansion while desperately clinging to hopes of a comeback.A former vaudeville child star torments her paraplegic sister, who eclipsed her as a movie star, in their decaying Hollywood mansion while desperately clinging to hopes of a comeback.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 5 wins & 11 nominations total
- Cora Hudson
- (as Ann Barton)
- Liza Bates
- (as B.D. Merrill)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAccording to Bette Davis in her book "This N' That," the film was originally going to be shot in color. Davis opposed this, saying that it would just make a sad story look pretty.
- GoofsIn the 1935 time line (11 minutes into the film), Ben Golden (Bert Freed) and Marty McDonald (Wesley Addy) are walking past a row of buildings in the studio discussing Baby Jane's acting. There are window air conditioners in almost every upper floor window of the 2-story building behind them. But the first window air conditioner wasn't marketed until 1938, and it wasn't until 1947 that they were mass-produced.
- Quotes
Blanche: Jane, do you remember when I first came back after the accident?
Jane: You promised you wouldn't ever talk about that again.
Blanche: I know I did. But I'm still in this chair. After all those years, I'm still in this chair. Doesn't that give you some kind of responsibility? Jane, I'm just trying to explain to you how things really are. You wouldn't be able to do these awful things to me if I weren't still in this chair.
Jane: But you *are*, Blanche! You *are* in that chair!
- Alternate versionsThe original British release was cut in two places: in Reel Four, where Jane kicks Blanche only once instead of multiple times, and Reel Six, which eliminated some shots of Blanche tied up to the bed and writhing. Both cuts were mandated by the BBFC in order to receive an "X" certificate. Subsequent reissues restored the footage.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Time That Remains (2012)
- SoundtracksI've Written a Letter to Daddy
Music by Frank De Vol
Lyrics by Bob Merrill
Performed by Bette Davis
Also performed by Julie Allred (dubbed by Debbie Burton)
Timeless and enduring with outstanding performances that to this day still take your breath away although Bette Davis is as good as it gets and surely provides the inspiration for the heinous Art the Clown.
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- ¿Qué pasó con Baby Jane?
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $980,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $4,154
- Runtime2 hours 14 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1