Starring Bette Davis, Karl Malden, Peter Lawford, Philip Carey, Jean Hagen
Directed by Paul Henreid
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
A struggling bar owner, fed up with her wealthy twin sister, who stole her man and his fortune, murders her and attempts to pass herself off as her.
An interesting late-career role for Davis, who of course stars as the twin sisters and does a credible job of making herself vanish into her characters, well-supported by an intriguingly cast Malden, whose sincerity as the primary sister's boyfriend gives the film its moral compass. Those who know Malden only from his American Express commercials would be impressed with his performance here. Henreid, one of Davis' former co-stars decades earlier, does a fine job directing and the slick photography and suspenseful screenplay are a complement to Davis' star power, which still is formidable here despite her loss of youth and beauty.
Showing posts with label Bette Davis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bette Davis. Show all posts
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964)
Starring Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotten, Agnes Moorehead, Cecil Kellaway
Directed by Robert Aldrich
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
The eccentric heiress to a Louisiana plantation, long thought responsible for a gruesome murder, turns to her cousin for help when her home is ordered demolished.
This film is an admirable showcase for Bette Davis and a fine supporting cast including some prestigious names like Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotten, Agnes Moorehead, and Mary Astor, each reputed for memorable performances during Hollywood's Golden Age. They are all quite good in their roles here, as is the photography by Joseph Biroc and Aldrich's direction. The only detriment is this is very similar to Whatever Happened To Baby Jane. In both films, Davis plays a former beauty who is thought to commit an act of violence in a flashback sequence at the start of the film, which also introduces a song that will be treasured by Davis' character throughout the film. After the flashbacks, each film focuses on examining Davis' sanity living in and never leaving a decaying house, along with the character of a loyal maid and a family member. To be fair, the films are somewhat different in plot, but it's too bad this wasn't a more varied follow-up.
Directed by Robert Aldrich
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
The eccentric heiress to a Louisiana plantation, long thought responsible for a gruesome murder, turns to her cousin for help when her home is ordered demolished.
This film is an admirable showcase for Bette Davis and a fine supporting cast including some prestigious names like Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotten, Agnes Moorehead, and Mary Astor, each reputed for memorable performances during Hollywood's Golden Age. They are all quite good in their roles here, as is the photography by Joseph Biroc and Aldrich's direction. The only detriment is this is very similar to Whatever Happened To Baby Jane. In both films, Davis plays a former beauty who is thought to commit an act of violence in a flashback sequence at the start of the film, which also introduces a song that will be treasured by Davis' character throughout the film. After the flashbacks, each film focuses on examining Davis' sanity living in and never leaving a decaying house, along with the character of a loyal maid and a family member. To be fair, the films are somewhat different in plot, but it's too bad this wasn't a more varied follow-up.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)