JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton
Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte (1964)
Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte
DVD Cover
Director:Robert Aldrich
Writer:Henry Farrell
Starring:Bette Davis, Olivia De Havilland, Joseph Cotton, Agnes Moorehead, Bruce Dern, George Kennedy
"Well, right here on the public street, in the light of day, let me tell you, Miriam Deering, that murder starts in the heart, and its first weapon is a vicious tongue."-Widow Mayhew
Director Robert Aldrich's unofficial sequel to Whatever Happened to Baby Jane is a haunting melodrama and psychological thriller delivering grand entertainment.
Its 1927, Sweet Charlotte’s powerful, landowning father is ordering her married beau (Bruce Dern) to leave his prized daughter alone, resulting in decapitation and loss of limbs. Fade to black and the striking opening credits begin to roll, setting the tempo and mood as we watch Charlotte (Bette Davis) emotionally crumble before our eyes.
Fast forward 37 years and the reclusive and troubled Charlotte is now the stuff of urban legend, living alone on the sweeping southern estate. Haunted by her past, paranoia and outside forces set her on a slow decent into madness.
“What do you think I asked you here for? COMPANY?”-Charlotte
John Doe says:
If Alfred Hitchcock directed a script by Tenessee Williams it may have looked a lot like this.
Last time I saw this film I was about 12 years old and watched it with my mum on Bill Collins Saturday show. I remembered liking it but not enough to revisit it till now, big mistake.
Viewing it with adult eyes, the film is obviously influential and massively suspenseful. Bold and daring direction, the shadow conscious B&W cinematography creates atmosphere you can taste. The script is tight and tells its story with fine dialogue and a clever structure.
The man in charge, Robert Aldrich (Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, Flight Of The Phoneix, The Dirty Dozen, Kiss Me Deadly) was synonomous with tough, uncompromising films that exposed our violent, deadly nature.
This early work is no different, except his usual macho male protagonist is instead a psychologically strained ex Southern Belle.
Bette Davis (Whatever Happened To Baby Jane, All About Eve, Jezebel, Now Voyager) plays her role with gusto flair and style, creating an unforgettable persona.
Olivia De Havilland (Lady in A cage, The Heiress, Adventures Of Robin Hood) was a last minute replacement for Joan Crawford, but you’d never know it to watch her. She makes the character her own and plays it with relish.
The supporting cast (Agnes Moorehead, Joseph Cotten etc) all keep up with the high standards set.
I found myself smiling with delight as the splendid performers bringing this skillful drama to a head. Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte is classic Gothic horror to enjoy on many levels, surprisingly powerful and disquietingly witty, let the torment begin.
The DVD:
Getting all the TLC a film of this stature warrants we get a faultless widescreen transfer and audio track. Better still, a detailed commentary with memorable anecdotes and a passionate making of documentary. An essential for any eclectic collection.
"Well, right here on the public street, in the light of day, let me tell you, Miriam Deering, that murder starts in the heart, and its first weapon is a vicious tongue."-Widow Mayhew
Director Robert Aldrich's unofficial sequel to Whatever Happened to Baby Jane is a haunting melodrama and psychological thriller delivering grand entertainment.
Its 1927, Sweet Charlotte’s powerful, landowning father is ordering her married beau (Bruce Dern) to leave his prized daughter alone, resulting in decapitation and loss of limbs. Fade to black and the striking opening credits begin to roll, setting the tempo and mood as we watch Charlotte (Bette Davis) emotionally crumble before our eyes.
Fast forward 37 years and the reclusive and troubled Charlotte is now the stuff of urban legend, living alone on the sweeping southern estate. Haunted by her past, paranoia and outside forces set her on a slow decent into madness.
“What do you think I asked you here for? COMPANY?”-Charlotte
John Doe says:
If Alfred Hitchcock directed a script by Tenessee Williams it may have looked a lot like this.
Last time I saw this film I was about 12 years old and watched it with my mum on Bill Collins Saturday show. I remembered liking it but not enough to revisit it till now, big mistake.
Viewing it with adult eyes, the film is obviously influential and massively suspenseful. Bold and daring direction, the shadow conscious B&W cinematography creates atmosphere you can taste. The script is tight and tells its story with fine dialogue and a clever structure.
The man in charge, Robert Aldrich (Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, Flight Of The Phoneix, The Dirty Dozen, Kiss Me Deadly) was synonomous with tough, uncompromising films that exposed our violent, deadly nature.
This early work is no different, except his usual macho male protagonist is instead a psychologically strained ex Southern Belle.
Bette Davis (Whatever Happened To Baby Jane, All About Eve, Jezebel, Now Voyager) plays her role with gusto flair and style, creating an unforgettable persona.
Olivia De Havilland (Lady in A cage, The Heiress, Adventures Of Robin Hood) was a last minute replacement for Joan Crawford, but you’d never know it to watch her. She makes the character her own and plays it with relish.
The supporting cast (Agnes Moorehead, Joseph Cotten etc) all keep up with the high standards set.
I found myself smiling with delight as the splendid performers bringing this skillful drama to a head. Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte is classic Gothic horror to enjoy on many levels, surprisingly powerful and disquietingly witty, let the torment begin.
The DVD:
Getting all the TLC a film of this stature warrants we get a faultless widescreen transfer and audio track. Better still, a detailed commentary with memorable anecdotes and a passionate making of documentary. An essential for any eclectic collection.
"Welcome to the opening credits, and just in case you were wondering I feel fine, honestly"
