Would you congratulate her? Would you be happy for her? Would you be jealous? Would you do everything in your power to take away? This is exactly how Baby Jane Hudson feels when she comes to realization that her older sister, Blanche Hudson is a successful actress and she is just a washed up "could have been".
In the beginning, we are introduced to 'Baby Jane', a prosperous singer/actress living the dream of an idolised golden child with her sister Blanche caught in the shadow of her success. As time passes, the tables begin to turn. Blanche is suddenly the star of the show. The one with all the glory. The one with all the money. 'Baby Jane' is now nothing more than a has been. The success however brought nothing but tragedy for the spotlight sister Blanche. One evening, the sisters arrive to the gate of their home- Jane drunk as a skunk and Blanche sober with pride. A terrible accident occurs. The girls' car is driven straight into the fence of their luxury home. But that's not the worst of it. Blanche is left paralyzed from the waist down, resulting not only in the loss of her legs but the loss of her career. 'Baby Jane' is nowhere to be seen.
Fast forward to today, the sisters are living together in Blanche's mansion; Jane being the sole carer for her sister. It is clear that Jane has some issues, well a lot of issues regarding the downward spiral of her own career. There is seriously something mentally wrong with her. She has vendetta against her sister for the success she didn't have, especially with the recent airings of Blanche's movies on national television - spiking an enormous amount of jealousy. Relying on Jane for her almost every need, Blanche has little power in her own house which does not work out well for her in the slightest. That's an understatement, it really doesn't work out well. The things Jane does to her sister are absolutely horrible. Some are sadistically funny, but still horrible. Blanche is a real positive thinker though, a trooper, until she has the realization that Jane is in fact mentally unstable.
We are taken on a journey where Blanche almost dies, Jane falls in love with a man who has a horrible English accent, (NEEDS TO BE SAID) gets her heart and career aspirations broken and ends with the girls reunited in a place where they once felt much joy in their lives, well Jane did.
This is a 1960's movie, so if you don't mind black and white films I would highly recommend watching this one. I would rate it an 9/10 as it's the first black and white film I've watched and a story where I've been able to retain interest throughout the entire period. Plus, if you ever need a true character to dress up as for a party, Baby Jane (Bette Davis) is your answer. That white makeup and toy doll... gives me chills just thinking about it.
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