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I recently purchased the deluxe edition of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane on video. Movie on one disc, extras on the other. The extras include "Bette & Joan: Blind Ambition", "All About Bette" and "Film Profie: Joan Crawford." Best, however, are videos of Bette singing the rarely heard "twisting" song to promo the film on the Andy Williams Show and the Behind the Scenes making of the movie (though not too revealing).
I've seen this film a million times. it seems, by now and know every line by heart. "I was cleanin' out the bird cage and he just... flew out the winda!" And "But ya are, Blanche! Ya are in that chair!"
When I was a kid, I made a super-8 short with my brother, Bobby, and cousin, Patrick, that I entitled
"Whatever Happened to Bobby Jane." I was nuts about this film since I first saw it at the US movie theater on Main Street in Paterson, NJ. My grandmother, a big Bette and Joan fan, took me. After the film, I remember her sighing, "Oh, they used to be so glamorous!" But she did enjoy the storyline. She covered my eyes (too late) during the rat on a tray scene.
Baby Jane is the ultimate sibling rivalry film that everyone (except, maybe sibling-free "only" children) can relate to. Did you know it was loosely based on the true-life story of Gypsy Rose Lee and Baby June? If you watch Gypsy, you'll see the similarity in a vague way.
Jane, a child star, fades as her sister, Blanche, becomes a movie star. There is an accident in which Blanche is crippled for life and an increasingly crazy and alcoholic Jane becomes her abusive "care-giver"
Much drama ensues from this premise and there's lots of suspense. Most of it over-the-top! I saw Baby Jane once at the free outdoor summer screenings in Bryant Park. It was so much fun to see it with a packed park, on the lawn with a picnic basket and wine. There were obviously a number of newbies in the crowd who gasped and groaned at every twist and turn. Big applause for Elvira when she decides not to get on the bus and heads back to the house. Big gasp when she comes to a bad end.
This film cannot be remade because it's perfect already, as demonstrated by the mediocre tv-movie with the Redgrave sisters. A recent rumor on Facebook stated that Jerry Seinfeld would produce a musical spoof of Baby Jane on Broadway to star Bette Midler as Baby Jane and Barbra Streisand as Blanche. Unfortunately, it was all a lie. What a shame.
My Return to Grey Gardens post made me think about women sidekicks. I mean, Little Edie surely is the star of Grey Gardens and Big Edie her sidekick.
Famously, when I think on this subject (which, believe me, I'm oft to do), I remember -- first and foremost -- Lucy and Ethel. And after that, I really cannot think of a lot until Absolutely Fabulous came along in the '90s!
I suppose, Marilyn Monroe might have been Jane Russell's sidekick in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). Or was that the other way around?
And a case can definitely be made for Laurie Metcalf being a sidekick to Roseanne Barr on Roseanne (1988-97). I'm sure there are a ton of sitcom women with their female sidekicks that I'm just not thinking about. Frankly, I don't watch a lot of tv.
Joan Crawford was Bette Davis' sidekick in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. And kick her in the side she did. Anne Baxter was Bette's sidekick in All About Eve (1950). Or was the sidekick in that film Thelma Ritter or maybe Celeste Holm?
Crawford had a number of sidekicks. Eve Arden in Mildred Pierce, for one. Judy Geeson in Berserk.
Diane Baker in Strait-Jacket. Debbie Reynolds' sidekick was Shelly Winters in What's the Matter \with Helen. Olivia DeHavilland was Bette Davis' sidekick in Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte
Can you think of others? Love to see your responses. Remember, this blog is interactive-friendly.
Tina, bring her the axe! Faye Dunaway's about to settle some old scores, perhaps, in writing a proposed memoir about her behind-the-scenes recollections of the making of Mommie Dearest. Undoubtedly, Ms. D will have many scores to settle indeed.
The actress has firmly, fiercely refused to discuss this debacle with the press, at times defensive, rude or just walking out on her interviewers. Now, however, I assume old girl needs money, as she's expected to blab all about Mommie Dearest, the movie.
The Best Actress Oscar winner (for Network) was a major star from the late '60s (Bonnie and Clyde, 1967; The Thomas Crown Affair '68) through the '70s. (Chinatown, Network, The Towering Inferno, Eyes of Laura Mars). That her star status came to a crashing thud is often attributed to her assaying the role of Joan Crawford in the Frank Perry screen adaptiaton of Christina Crawford's controversial and best-selling tell-all about her famous mother. Although long a camp classic best remembered for Dunaway's over-the-top, no-holds-barred performance, the film was a critical disaster for the most part (though Pauline Kael, at the time, called Dunaway's acting "startling, ferocious," with which I suppose no one would disagree). Obviously, director Perry must have given her the word that she could not go "too big" in her portrayal.
Anne Bancroft was originally set to star but pulled out when she got a load of script.
But was the failure of Mommie Dearest truly the cause of Faye Dunaway's becoming washed up in its tumultuous wake? I suspect it was the excuse the film industry needed to wash their hands of the tempestuous star. If Dunaway pens her book, she will no doubt cast blame on this one film. She was long known, however, for being radically late on sets, angering her co-stars and directors, and generally being a pain in the ass to everyone around her. The death blow may have been dealt by none other than Bette Davis who, on The Tonight Show, complained about her The Disappearance of Aimee (tv-movie) co-star. Bette called Faye out on her unprofessional behavior, keeping cast and crew waiting for hours with her extreme tardiness. "She's well named," Davis told host Johnny Carson. "Many a time I wish I could have done away with her!"
So, we await with much interest as to what this recollection will have to say. The news broke big-time about the book deal today at Querty.com. I anticipate it wil be a bitch fest, if completed, with Faye laying blame all over the place. "Bad scripts, bad directors, I can't keep making them work...," as Faye explains in the film. Let the character assassinations begin in the name of saving face.
On Facebook, Joan Rivers notes: "Beyonce said that she delivered her baby naturally, which for her meant no wind machine or backup dancers."
The diva's pregnancy delayed shooting on her next film which, ironically, is the Clint Eastwood musical remake, A Star Is Born. The Golden Globe nominee was cast, due to begin filming next month. But Eastwood agreed to delay shooting until Ms Jay-Z is back to full strength. And now, apparently, a star is born, silver spoon firmly in mouth.
"As you know, megastars Jay-Z and Beyoncé spent $1.3 million to turn six rooms at Lenox Hill Hospital into two luxury suites so Beyoncé could pop out her baby in some real style," Michael Musto confided in his Village Voice column, La Dolce Musto. "If you've got money and want to spend it, be my guest. Just don't act like your wealth makes you above the law, or beyond humanity and good sense.
"The Z's ran into trouble when a Brooklyn man claimed the couple's guards prevented other people from getting to wards, waiting rooms, and even hallways in the hospital.
"If Beyoncé's having a baby, I guess no one else can! (Or if they do, you can't visit them.)
"Has celebrity entitlement gotten more annoyingly entitled than ever?"
The New York Daily News reported: "The freshly renovated 'executive' maternity digs look more like a Four Seasons spread than the drab hospital accommodations afforded most mere mortals.... Little Blue Ivy Carter came into the world with her choice of four flat-screen TVs, lushly upholstered gray and cream sofas, silken throw pillows, modern brushed-chrome accents, mahogany walls and a posh kitchenette with a gleaming tile backsplash."
How did Lenox Hill respond to that? Says the Daily News, "Lenox Hill Hospital has denied claims it constructed the five-star accommodations at Beyonce's behest, saying instead the superstar singer was simply lucky enough to be the first patient to get them." Oh, please, honeys, the next time I come down with deadly pneumonia and have to be quarantined, I'm having Dr Frank Spinelli admit me to Lenox Hill and try to get that fucking room for me, I tell you!
Now, yesterday, New York State health officials dismissed patients' complaints. Why am I not surprised to hear that? Occupy that hospital!
At the top of this post is the picture of the $13,000 plexiglas crib for baby Blue Ivy Z. (I think it's hideous, frankly.)
"The superstar couple's new child has reportedly had at least £1million spent on her in gifts and a fantasy land nursery.
"Among the treasure trove awaiting [Ivy Blue] is a solid-gold, hand-made rocking horse said to be worth £390,000... while her high chair [seen below] is worth close to £10,000 and dripping in Swarovski crystals," reports the UK's Metro.
But ya are in the highchair, Ivy, ya are! (Can't wait to see what ever happens to Baby Ivy as she grows up!)
Meanwhile, while on the topic of demon spawn, Perez Hilton blogged, "Looks like Roman Polanski‘s classic [Rosemary's Baby] was supposed to have a bit more star power! Rutanya Alda, best known for Mommie Dearest, was Mia Farrow‘s stand-in for the flick." (Alda played Carol Ann, Joan Crawford's assistant, in the movie.) Below, Van Johnson, Mia Farrow, Joan Crawford, Roman Polanski and William Castle.
Says Michael Musto who broke the story: "Rutanya Alda -- best known as Carol Ann in Mommie Dearest -- just told me a remarkable story. Rutanya was Mia Farrow's stand-in for the 1968 suspense classic Rosemary's Baby.
"When Mia was late to shoot a bit where she and a girlfriend go to see the Off-Broadway musical The Fantasticks, director Roman Polanski decided to start shooting with Rutanya standing in.
"Part of the scene had screen icons Joan Crawford and Van Johnson (as themselves) being spotted by Rosemary in the lobby...."
William Castle, who directed Joan in the camp classics, Straight-Jacket and I Saw What You Did (and I Know Who You Are), probably insisted on this, I'm guessing, as he was Polanski's producer and never passed by a tacky gimmick.
Musto goes on: "Remembers Rutanya: 'Joan came over to me and said, "Hello! I'm Joan Crawford!" She thought I was Mia Farrow!'
"Or maybe she just knew she'd just spotted the future Carol Ann," Michael adds in a hilarious aside.
"Another wacky mishap happened when Van Johnson first spotted Polanski, particularly his striking schnoz.
"'Who's that, Pinocchio?' quipped Johnson, completely clueless. This sent the excitable Polanski into a tizzy of horror. 'Get off my set, everybody!' he shrieked, clearing all the stars and non-stars away. Joan obliged, but not before grandly intoning, 'You should learn to have the manners of a William Castle.'"
William Castle responds: "Not sure that is how I remember it all going down...but it's Hollywood where everything and anything is possible!"
Reader comments from The Village Voice blog included "Too bad Joan was cut. When Rosemary's baby gurgled 'mommie,' Joan could have snapped 'Mommie WHAT?'"
"The real life Joan Crawford meeting the later Carol Ann is spooky. Like when Charles Manson encountered Sharon Tate months before the killings."
And "I'm sure I spotted Joan Crawford in the coven of witches when Mia Farrow gets raped."
"Name your favorite color, plant and ex-President," Ruth Buzzi Tweeted. "Those were instructions in a maternity ward last week where BLUE IVY CARTER was hatched."
OK, babies, that's it for now! Mommie needs her beauty sleep!
Below, Joan, obviously acting under the influence (but quite bejeweled, nonetheless), in William Castle's I Saw What You Did.
Win my latest, exclusive dj-promo-only cd-r in time for Halloween! You can play it on your cd player, computer or download it to your iPod. Dj Buddy Beaverhausen's "Trick or Treat" is an eclectic and upbeat collection of Halloween-appropriate tunes perfect for any All-Hallow's party! This item is not for sale, used exclusively as a dj/club promo, but you can win one here with free shipping anywhere on this planet.
After reading the question below, go to djbuddybeaverhausen@hotmail.com to e-mail the answer. The first four (4) correct answers I receive will be sent the giveaway cds. You must include your first name and a mailing or post box address in your e-mail to receive the prize. All e-mail info, except your first name & country, will be kept confidential and not announced, used solely to mail your cd. One cd per e-mail.
The game begins as of NOW & all e-mails must be received by Monday, October 17 (so that you may play this on time for your hoppin' Halloween) by 5 pm Eastern Standard Time to be considered.
QUESTION: One actress played Joan Crawford's daughter twice and co-starred with her three times. Who is she?
