What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? was released on 31 October 1962.
Lukas Heller adapted Henry Farrell’s 1960 novel for the screen, and the film was directed and produced by Robert Aldrich.
After a number of disappointing films, Aldrich left Hollywood for Europe in 1957; he optioned Farrell’s novel hoping it would offer him an opportunity to direct in Hollywood again. Joan Crawford’s career was also in decline (some reports had her as “near penniless” at the time) and eagerly accepted Aldrich’s offer in the film. Crawford suggested Bette Davis, although the two disliked each other. Aldrich asserted that the two "behaved absolutely perfectly“ but publicity stoked the animosity.
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? was a critical and commercial success, earning back its production costs in 11 days. The film received 5 Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress (Bette Davis), Best Supporting Actor (Victor Buono), Best Cinematography - Black and White (Ernest Haller), and Best Sound (Joseph Kelly). Norma Koch received the film’s only Oscar, for Best Costume Design - Black and White.
Crawford and Davis’ feud played out publicly at the Academy Award ceremony, as Crawford called all the other nominees in the Best Actress category and asked if she could accept the award if one of them was absent. All agreed, and when Anne Bancroft was unable to attend to accept her Oscar for The Miracle Worker, Crawford accepted the award with Davis looking on.
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? revived the careers of Aldrich, Crawford, and Davis and ushered in the “psycho-biddy” horror film. In 2021 it was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress for its cultural importance.
