One of my all time favorites.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

I watched this after having read the short story that it is based on, "What Ever Happened to Charlotte?", by Henry Farrell. This is a decent adaptation of that tale, and Bette Davis in the title role works well! And Agnes Moorehead is awesome! Like the story, I enjoyed the ending quite a bit, but I did feel like the film dragged a bit at times, and may have overextended itself with a plus two hour running time.

This past year a limited series ran called FEUD, this time around focusing on the behind the scenes feud between actresses Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, a long standing personal battle that resulted in flaring tempers as the two tried to resuscitate their careers with the film WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE. In the case of Crawford the result found her in some terrible movies while Davis went on to star in roles on TV and films. At the end of the series it discussed their reteaming under the same director, Robert Aldrich, for the film HUSH HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE. Their battle of wills resulted in Crawford being dismissed from the film and replaced by Olivia de Havilland and the film being completed. Why mention this? Because it provides an interesting backdrop when looking at the film now on blu-ray from Twilight Time.The movie opens in 1927 in the antebellum south with a party being held by Charlotte Hollis father (Victor Buono). Charlotte has made plans to elope with her lover John (Bruce Dern) but before this takes place her father confronts John with the fact that he knows he is already married. Realizing he can't leave with Charlotte he breaks off with her. That same night someone takes a meat cleaver to John and Charlotte is thought to be behind the killing.The story moves forward to 1964. The grand old house is in ruins and Charlotte lives their almost alone, an aging spinster with only Velma (Agnes Moorehead) there to keep her company. Times are worse than Charlotte realizes with the house set for demolition since a new highway is to be built here. Charlotte confronts the construction crew armed and after the sheriff intervenes is given days to move out.Seeking help Charlotte has convinced her cousin Miriam (de Havilland) to return and help her. Arriving from New York Miriam does her best, renewing her romance with local doctor Drew Bayliss (Joseph Cotton) and trying to help. But as the days pass it seems that Charlotte may have gone mad over the ensuing years since Miriam left. She sees images of John at night and fears that her father, the man she thought murdered John all those years ago, is back as well.Something isn't quite right here and we as viewers know it. Velma does her best to keep Charlotte calm and suspects that something is amiss. But just who is behind it we're not sure. Was John really murdered all those years ago? Did Charlotte actually do it and now is racked with guilt over her actions? Or is there some other mystery long buried over the years that is only now playing out? The film offers a solid Gothic style mystery, one where a number of potential solutions are presented. Davis performance would seem a bit on the hammy side if it weren't for the fact that the method she employs here adds credulity to the character of Charlotte and her eccentric ways. Aldrich, who moved on to bigger and better films like THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX, THE DIRTY DOZEN and THE LONGEST YARD does a great job of bringing his cast together to offer performances that are among their best.If you read my reviews you may tire of hearing me saying this but yes, Twilight Time has brought a great looking offering here with a fantastic looking print. They've done a great job with extras this time around as well which include an isolated score track, audio commentary track with film historians David Del Vale and Steven Peros, audio commentary track with film historian Glenn Erickson, HUSH…HUSH, SWEET JOAN: THE MAKING OF CHARLOTTE, BRUCE DERN REMEMBERS, Wizard Work, TV spots and the original theatrical trailers. As always it's limited to just 3,000 copies so if you want one order today.

This is an almost perfect film except for some flawed writing. Agnes Moorhead earned a well deserved Academy Award nomination as best supporting actress in her role as Velma Crothers, Charlotte's devoted and loyal housekeeper. Agnes Moorhead should have been a leading lady rather than supporting player. Film legends Bette Davis and Olivia De Havilland play cousins, Charlotte and Miriam. The Hollis plantation in Hollisport, Louisiana needs to come down to build the bridge. Charlotte won't leave her home and would stop anybody in her way. Nice supporting performances by Cecil Kellaway and Joseph Cotten. The film was supposed to reunite Bette Davis and Joan Crawford but Olivia DeHavilland's performance is full of surprises and well worth watching overall.

Watched this again just now, as although I'd seen it some time ago I'd forgotten what it was like. I remember thinking it was bad. It certainly is bad. Incredibly slow, slow, slow, and boring. Every event, especially the penultimate climax, is signalled about ten minutes before it happens. And it's of no interest, anyway. I could not care less about anything that these characters did, and shuddered at what seemed to me their excruciatingly painful, but inconsistent, accents. The writing is dreadful, the acting is wooden beyond belief --- in scene after scene these actors speak their lines mechanically, without the slightest sensation. Except for a heavy dose of ham. The pacing is funereal. The trivia note says that Bette Davis was publicly derisive of Joan Crawford's extensive location wardrobe. Was Joan Crawford in this movie ? I'd better read the cast list again.