1962 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?' entered into the 'National Film Registry'

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY-JANE? from WARNER BROS. (1962). It starred screen legends Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. The average movie ticket price for that year was 0.81 cents. The production budget climbed to $980,000 and was a box office smash earning $9.5 million. Both Davis and Crawford cut deals for a percentage of the profits. 

The film earned 5 Oscar nominations. It won only for "Best Costume Design" (Black & White Film). Bette Davis earned her 10th and final nomination as Best Actress. 

This had revived the careers of Davis and Crawford. Davis claimed that every major studio turned down the project. Both women were considered "Old Broads." Despite all of the gossip surrounding the production. Both actresses were very professional who got the job done. 

I will not discuss the ugly gossip that came after the success of the movie. It has been written and talked about for decades... The 2017 TV mini-series "Feud" was about the making of "Baby-Jane." It was complete gossip.

"Baby-Jane" told the story of two aging Hollywood actresses who fall on hard times. Blanche (Joan) is confined to a wheel-chair after a horrific car accident. It is presumed to have been caused by Baby-Jane (Bette). They have to live together and Jane plans a come-back as her actual child character, "Baby-Jane." She becomes grotesque who tries to re-live her earlier success. She also believes that Blanche is in her way who has to be destroyed - Literally... Is this a descent into madness? 

2021 "Baby-Jane" has been entered into the Library of Congress "National Film Registry." Congratulations.

The movie came out on "Blu-Ray" in 2012.

Click photos below to watch "Baby-Jane" for Free. 

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(1962 publicity luncheon for "Baby-Jane." Bette Davis, Jack Warner and Joan Crawford.).

(1962. On the set during production of "Baby-Jane." Joan and Bette.).