Flixwise Podcast

We've reached the final entry in our first Bette Davis series (first of many if Lady P has anything to say about it). Our previous 'All About Bette' episodes covered Davis' turns in All About Eve (1950) and The Little Foxes (1941). Rounding out this glorious trifecta is the sister act that would come to define the latter, post-Studio System, half of Bette's career: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962).  Largely due to the infamous feud between the film's two larger than life stars, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, Baby Jane is now primarily remembered as a campy novelty film. We at Flixwise are certainly no strangers to the art of playful exaggeration (See our Johnny Guitar episode). However, in the case of Baby Jane, we want to make sure that film's reputation as drag queen fodder, hasn't overshadowed the abject terror and sadness at the heart of the story. We also want to highlight the film's great formal achievements. Director/referee Robert Aldrich does a masterful job creating a sense of claustrophobia