What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

Many years ago I came across the film of the same name, I almost changed the channel, but upon seeing Baby Jane played by Bette Davis, wearing insane makeup and laughing with that throaty smoker’s voice, I dropped the remote and watched the rest of the film. I thought it was the most insane thing I had ever seen, and loved every minute of it. I loved the film even more when I learned through older members of my family that it was rumored that Davis and Crawford couldn’t stand each other.

Mitch Douglas, Farrell’s literary agent, confirms the rumors in this book’s introduction: <i>Henry Farrell and the Story of Baby Jane</i>. Both actresses agreed to take the parts with the intention of mopping the floor with the other. On set, Davis “accidentally” kicks Crawford. Crawford retaliates by adding weights under her clothes, causing Davis’ back to give during a scene in which she has to carry and drag Crawford. Later, the actresses were to star in another film together. By this time, Crawford was married to the president of Pepsi. So what does Bette do? Before Crawford arrives, she gets the crew to replace all the Pepsi machines with Coca-Cola machines. She even takes pictures with some of the crew drinking Coke.

No matter to what extreme their animosity ran for each other, the final film product shows nothing but professionalism on both their parts. Knowing about their personal rivalries and reading the book cover to cover, I can’t imagine who else might play the roles of the Hudson sisters. For those of you who have only seen the film and are curious, the book is pretty much the same as the film, with very minor differences – such as Blanche is blonde and Baby Jane has dark hair. In the book, the neighbor watches the old Blanche Hudson movies with her neighbor, not her daughter.

Long story short: If you love the movie, you’ll love the book!