# What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

> 1962 film by Robert Aldrich

**Wikidata**: [Q26644](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q26644)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_Ever_Happened_to_Baby_Jane?_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/what-ever-happened-to-baby-jane

## Summary
*What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?* is a 1962 psychological horror film directed by Robert Aldrich, starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. The film explores themes of obsession, mental illness, and domestic violence through the twisted relationship between two aging actresses, Baby Jane Hudson and her sister, Blanche Hudson. It is notable for its controversial production, Davis and Crawford’s legendary on-set feud, and its influence on the psychological thriller genre.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: January 1, 1962
- **Director**: Robert Aldrich
- **Production Company**: Seven Arts Productions
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Genre**: Drama, Psychological Horror, Psychological Thriller
- **Starring**: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Victor Buono
- **Runtime**: 134 minutes
- **Awards**: Nominated for 4 Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Bette Davis
- **Box Office**: $1.5 million (domestic)
- **IMDb ID**: tt0056687
- **Wikidata ID**: Q22120095
- **National Film Registry**: Selected for preservation in 1990
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 91%
- **Metacritic Score**: 7.9/10
- **Instance of**: Film
- **Part of**: National Film Registry
- **Genre Classification**: Psychological Horror Fiction, Psychological Thriller
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 35 (as of source data)
- **Publication Date**: 1962-01-01
- **Production Company**: Seven Arts Productions (1957–1967)
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Wikidata Description**: "1962 film by Robert Aldrich"

## FAQs
**Who directed *What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?* and what is its genre?**
The film was directed by Robert Aldrich and falls under the genres of drama, psychological horror, and psychological thriller. It is known for its dark exploration of mental illness and domestic violence.

**What was the production company behind the film?**
The film was produced by Seven Arts Productions, an American film, television, and stage production company active from 1957 to 1967.

**What awards did the film receive?**
The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Bette Davis. It also holds a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.9/10 score on Metacritic.

**What is the runtime of the film?**
The film has a runtime of 134 minutes.

**Where was the film set and what is its country of origin?**
The film was set in the United States and produced by Seven Arts Productions, which was based in the U.S.

**What is the significance of the film in the National Film Registry?**
The film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 1990, recognizing its cultural, historical, or aesthetic importance.

## Why It Matters
*What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?* is significant for its groundbreaking portrayal of psychological horror and its controversial production. The film’s exploration of obsession, mental illness, and domestic violence was unprecedented in Hollywood at the time. The legendary feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford during filming became a cultural phenomenon, cementing the film’s place in cinematic history. It also influenced later psychological thrillers and remains a key work in the study of film and gender dynamics. The film’s selection into the National Film Registry underscores its enduring cultural impact.

## Notable For
- **Controversial Production**: The film was notorious for the on-set feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, which became a media sensation.
- **Academic Influence**: The film is studied in film schools for its exploration of psychological horror and domestic violence.
- **Cultural Impact**: It is considered a landmark in the psychological thriller genre and a defining work of 1960s cinema.
- **Preservation Status**: Selected for the National Film Registry in 1990, recognizing its cultural significance.
- **Box Office Success**: Despite its controversial production, the film was a commercial success, earning $1.5 million domestically.
- **Award Nominations**: Nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Bette Davis.
- **Genre Innovation**: Pioneered the psychological horror subgenre, influencing later films like *Psycho* and *The Shining*.
- **Legacy in Film History**: Often cited as one of the most influential films of the 1960s, shaping modern horror cinema.

## Body

### Core Definition and Classification
*What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?* is a 1962 psychological horror film directed by Robert Aldrich. It is classified as a drama, psychological horror, and psychological thriller. The film is notable for its exploration of themes such as obsession, mental illness, and domestic violence. It was produced by Seven Arts Productions and is set in the United States.

### Production and Cast
The film stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, who famously clashed during production. Victor Buono also had a prominent role. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Davis. It was a commercial success, earning $1.5 million domestically.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
The film’s controversial production and Davis and Crawford’s feud became a media sensation, cementing its place in cinematic history. It was selected for the National Film Registry in 1990, recognizing its cultural, historical, and aesthetic importance. The film’s influence on the psychological thriller genre is significant, with many later films drawing inspiration from its dark themes.

### Awards and Recognition
The film received critical acclaim, with a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.9/10 score on Metacritic. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Bette Davis. The film’s legacy continues to be studied in film schools and is often cited as a defining work of 1960s cinema.

### Related Works and Examples
The film is part of the National Film Registry and is classified under the genres of psychological horror fiction and psychological thriller. It is an instance of the film class and has been studied in academic contexts for its exploration of psychological horror and domestic violence.

### Structural Components and Parts
The film has a runtime of 134 minutes and includes key scenes that explore its themes of obsession and mental illness. It is part of the National Film Registry and has been preserved for its cultural significance.

### Distinction from Related Entities
Unlike typical horror films, *What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?* focuses on psychological horror, exploring the inner workings of its characters’ minds. It differs from other psychological thrillers by its unique portrayal of domestic violence and mental illness.

### Wikimedia Project Maintenance
The film has a Wikipedia page with 35 sitelinks, indicating its widespread recognition. The film’s production company, Seven Arts Productions, is also documented in the knowledge base.

### Language and Localization
The film has been localized in various languages, with its Wikipedia page available in multiple editions. It has been studied in academic contexts and is recognized globally for its cultural impact.

### Authority and Provenance
The film’s provenance includes its selection in the National Film Registry and its recognition by major film databases. It has been cited in academic studies and remains a significant work in the study of film and gender dynamics.

### Platform and Service Integration
The film is available on various streaming platforms and has been integrated into film databases and archives. It is recognized by major film organizations and remains a key work in the study of psychological horror.

### Historical and Archival References
The film’s historical significance is documented in archival references and film databases. It is recognized for its cultural impact and remains a key work in the study of 1960s cinema.

### Wikidata Query Equivalence
The film is an instance of the film class and is part of the National Film Registry. It is recognized for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic importance.

### Category and Portal Structure
The film is categorized under psychological horror and psychological thriller. It is part of the National Film Registry and has been studied in academic contexts.

### Image and Iconography
The film has associated images and iconography that reflect its themes and cultural impact. It is recognized for its significant contributions to the film industry.

### Additional Topic IDs
The film has additional topic IDs in various databases and archives, reflecting its widespread recognition and cultural impact. It is a key work in the study of psychological horror and remains a significant contribution to the film industry.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056687/)
2. [Source](http://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/filme-281/)
3. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film167314.html)
4. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/co-sie-zdarzylo-baby-jane)
5. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/what-ever-happened-baby-jane)
6. [Source](http://www.fotogramas.es/Peliculas/Que-fue-de-Baby-Jane#critFG)
7. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056687/fullcredits)
8. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1963)
9. The Movie Database
10. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
11. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?. Rotten Tomatoes
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. [Carol Daniels - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0199859/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr40#stunts-tt0056687)
14. Kinopoisk
15. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
16. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/27509)
17. Bechdel Test Movie List
18. mymovies.it
19. The Feminist Film Guide
20. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/BB9C-A42E-B141-8805-C92D-O)
21. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/83907)
22. Kanopy
23. Trakt.tv
24. FilmVandaag.nl