Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? by Henry Farrell

The project remained in limbo until, when Var stated that Robert Aldrich would direct the film for producer Joseph E. On, NYT announced the publication of Henry Farrell’s novel, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Three weeks later, the LAT reported that producer Richard Rush was negotiating for motion picture rights, with plans to star Hugh O’Brian, Agnes Moorehead, and Jennifer West. Aldrich told the NYT that he and Crawford continued the search for a suitable property over the previous three years until both agreed on. Although the director rejected the story Crawford proposed, he was intrigued by the idea of co-starring the two actresses. The NYT revealed that Crawford approached Aldrich several years earlier, suggesting he make a film starring her and Davis. The NYT reported that Davis was leaving the Broadway cast of Night of the Iguana, and would begin rehearsals for the film in Los Angeles, CA, after a brief hiatus. In the LAT, columnist Hedda Hopper announced that Crawford would co-star with Bette Davis, marking the first screen collaboration between the two veteran actresses. The film would mark her first screen appearance in several years, the last of which was Autumn Leaves (1956, see entry), also directed by Aldrich. The Var reported that actress Joan Crawford was meeting with Aldrich that day to discuss her role.

It has just been reissued along with three short stories, including “What Ever Happened to Cousin Charlotte,” the inspiration for the film “Hush … Hush, Sweet Charlotte.On, NYT announced the publication of Henry Farrell’s novel, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Three weeks later, the LAT reported that producer Richard Rush was negotiating for motion picture rights, with plans to star Hugh O’Brian, Agnes Moorehead, and Jennifer West. If you have never read this incredible novel, this is the chance to do so. The two main characters, Blanche Hudson, who lives in seclusion after a crippling accident, and her sister, Baby Jane, her caregiver, are still intriguing and manage to somehow maneuver the delicate balance between suspense and high camp.

Even 50 years later, this suspenseful noir classic still packs an emotional punch. Farrell explained, “I decided on a story that was so outrageous that it couldn’t help but be commercial,” and added that Baby Jane was a blend of other child stars such as Baby Peggy of silent films and vaudeville’s Baby Rose Marie, the singing child wonder who grew up to find an adult career in television. A movie quickly followed featuring Joan Crawford and Bette Davis.

“Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” was published in 1960 to critical acclaim, a book The New York Times called “a shocker,” and indeed it was.

Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? by Henry Farrell