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What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? | Henry Farrell
31 posts | 21 read | 55 to read
Once an acclaimed child star of vaudeville, Baby Jane Hudson performed for adoring crowds before a move to Hollywood thrust her sister, Blanche, into the spotlight. As Blanche's film career took off, a resentful Jane watched from the shadows as her own career faded into obscurity - until a tragic accident changed everything. Now, years later, the two sisters live in a decaying Hollywood mansion, isolated from the outside world. Crippled by the accident, Blanche is helpless under the control of her sister, who is slowly descending into madness. And when Baby Jane decides it's time to revive her childhood act, she won't let anything - or anyone - stand in her way. This edition features exclusive extra material: three previously unpublished short stories by Henry Farrell, including the inspiration for the movie Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte, and an introduction that reveals how the original novel came about as well as the behind-the-scenes drama of the iconic film starring Joan Crawford and Bette Davis.
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Blueberry
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Pickpick

3.75 ⭐
Creepy. Sort of felt like I was watching a Dateline episode. Now I will try to find the movie.

dabbe Oh, the movie is excellently creepy! 😃 1y
47 likes1 comment
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Blueberry
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34 likes1 stack add
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TheEllieMo
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It has never occurred to me that the fabulous film with Joan Crawford and Bette Davis was initially a book.

#FilmsFromBooks
#FallFinds
@Eggs

Eggs Not I! Good one! 4y
23 likes1 stack add1 comment
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TheEllieMo
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Two #babies of the Jane variety - Bette Davies and Joan Crawford in the classic film version, and Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange in Feud: Bette and Joan, the story of the making of the film and of the rivalry and hatred between Davies and Crawford.

#MagicalMay @Eggs

Eggs I saw the B &W version with Davis and Crawford. They killed it. Great choice👏🏻👏🏻 5y
35 likes1 comment
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LeahBergen
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#HalloweenMovie Hmm...now I feel like watching this one again. 😄

#ScreamathonPhotoChallenge
#Screamathon

LauraJ One of my favorites! 🖤 5y
AmyG Great movie! 5y
Cathythoughts Spooky cover 😬 5y
See All 7 Comments
TrishB Cool cover 👍🏻 5y
Reviewsbylola Every time I look at your posts, I buy books. 🤦🏼‍♀️ 5y
alisiakae 👻🧡🖤 5y
77 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Charityann

Watched this movie for #scarathlon. Now I‘ll have to read the book.🎃📚😈🍁 @Clwojick @TheReadingMermaid 1 point for post, 1 point for movie = 2 points for #teamslaughter

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Debblyliz
Pickpick

Dark and menacing atmosphere through the book, easy to see why it was made into an iconic film! Read my full review here: https://thecuriousmagpie2018.wordpress.com/2019/08/24/review-what-ever-happened-...

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StayCurious
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#lilithjuly @Cinfhen @KarenUK Okay, so my twisted mind went in a different direction for #sweetjane. Creepy book and movie.

KarenUK Not so sweet! 😏 5y
IamIamIam I keep meaning to buy this and I just haven't! 😖 My dad and I absolutely love this movie and it's even better when you know how much Davis and Crawford hated each other! 5y
Cinfhen I like the way you think ♥️🙌🏻 5y
TheEllieMo I very nearly posted this!! I, too, like the way you think! 5y
47 likes4 comments
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KarenUK
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Cinfhen That‘s fabulous!!!! 🙌🏻❤️ 7y
tammysue 👌🏻💘 7y
52 likes3 comments
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TheAnitaAlvarez
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Pickpick

This book is truly horrifying because it dwells deep within the psychological intricacies of the relationship between the two sisters. I‘m more of a psychological horror kind of girl (as opposed to the jump scare sort of humour), so this book was right up my alley. Also, there‘s a movie with Bette Davis and Joan Crawford that is SO GOOD.
#RoryGilmoresReadingChallenge

AmyG The movie is great. I didn‘t even know it was based on a book. 7y
minkyb The movie still creeps me out! 7y
Cathythoughts It‘s a long time sinse I heard of this movie/book 😳😳😬 7y
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PirateJenny I love the movie. The book is sitting on my iPad waiting 7y
TheAnitaAlvarez @AmyG the book‘s really good! 7y
TheAnitaAlvarez @minkyb no wonder, the acting is on point 7y
TheAnitaAlvarez @Cathythoughts in all fairness, it‘s quite the old book/film, so not a lot of people talk about it nowadays 7y
Reggie That movie was amazing. 7y
RadicalReader @TheAnitaAlvarez what's your all time favorite psychological thriller you've ever read? 7y
TheAnitaAlvarez @RadicalReader tough question. Maybe The Turn of the Screw by Henry James? 7y
TheAnitaAlvarez @Reggie yes! Joan Crawford and Bette Davis were fantastic! 7y
111 likes11 stack adds12 comments
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cdreincarnate
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Pickpick

Superfun audiobook about sibling rivalry taken to the next level. Thanks, @purdymaryk for recommending this one! I enjoyed every minute of it.

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Christyco125
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Pickpick

Talk about #siblingrivalry. I liked the creepy twists his story went through. I think I‘m going binge watch Bette and Joan, then watch the movie. I have never seen it and this was my first time reading the book. #2017christyread

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BeckyWithTheGoodBooks
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Pickpick

Creepy AF! This edition included 3 short stories including "The Debut of Larry Richards" (quoted in photo) in addition to Baby Jane. Blanche and Jane hurt each other so much and didn't it make them the epitome of cruel? An introduction about the feud between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis (the stars of the WEHtBJ film) made it even more fascinating. I can't wait to watch the Baby Jane movie and check out "Fued." Where has this been all my life?!

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BeckyWithTheGoodBooks
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Really loving "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" and Henry Farrell's writing. Of course, I'm not old, insane, and murderous, like Jane, but this sentence really resonated with me. Haven't we all looked for that finer, better self in the mirror and been found wanting at times? Thankfully, I think we all have a chance to continue to strive for greatness. #babyjane

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BeckyWithTheGoodBooks
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Love the imagery this sentence invokes. #babyjane

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Andrew65
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What about this classic for the #Hollywood theme! A great film!

rubyslippersreads Creepy cover! 😱 7y
andrew61 I didn't know it was a book, great film. 7y
Lmstraubie Creepy cover 🤤 7y
Andrew65 @Lmstraubie Enough to frighten you off! 7y
27 likes5 comments
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DianeDeMasi
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Pickpick

My memory may be fault, but I think the movie was pretty close to the book. That makes me happy because I liked the movie 😊

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Aseleener
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Panpan

Somehow this got picked for my classic lit book club for May. Personally, I don't consider it a classic. I know the movie is much more well-known. This story was just not that interesting to me. It's considered "horror", but it was not horrifying to me. Just lots of drama that was meant to be suspenseful. But I had a hard time caring what happened. The last 3 hours of the audio on Hoopla is a collection of short stories that I skipped. ⭐⭐

Cinfhen Such a creepy cover! 8y
28 likes1 comment
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DianeDeMasi
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I've seen the movie, but I never read the book 😮. Rectifying that oversight.

DianeDeMasi And a huge Thank you, to the North Carolina School of the Arts Library for sharing with my library so I could check this out. 🤗 #Libraries are awesome! 8y
2 likes1 comment
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EvieBee
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Pickpick

“Sometimes I wonder about the two of them over there in that big old house all alone. They don‘t ever seem to do anything—or have anyone in for company. It must be awful….”

As a huge fan of the film and now the show Fued: Bette and Joan, this book hit the spot. A good thriller of the time period, and written by Farrell at a time when he was strapped for cash. That is sometimes the greatest motivation behind stellar reads. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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EvieBee
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Started this "baby" this morning. What a ride! Inspired by the show Feud: Bette and Joan. #currentlyreading

LeahBergen Did you read the intro yet? That bit about Burt Reynolds and Bette Davis having lunch together when she is notified of Joan Crawford's death?! I laughed so hard! 😳😂 8y
EvieBee @LeahBergen I did!!! I can hear her saying it, too! 😂 (edited) 8y
DivineDiana Loving the mini series! Now, I'm intrigued! 8y
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SharonGoforth I'm loving the show, too! I'm waiting impatiently for the Baby Jane DVD I ordered... 8y
kspenmoll My husband is saving the shows for us😃 8y
Buddys_Momma @EvieBee84 I love this movie, need to get that book! 8y
EvieBee @DivineDiana Me too! Sundays couldn't come any sooner. 8y
EvieBee @SharonGoforth I do too! The sets and clothing are immaculate! I hope your DVD comes soon. 8y
EvieBee @kspenmoll That's the best way! I saved the first 5 episodes and had a feast. Now waiting around is painful! Enjoy. 8y
80 likes4 stack adds9 comments
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BeckyWithTheGoodBooks
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My lofty April reading goal! (Not pictured: Zadie Smith's "Swing Time" because I'm still on the hold list at the library). #aprilbookshowers #apriltbr

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Casi
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Mehso-so

I wanted to like this book. It had a very unique and interesting idea and I'd never seen the film. The trouble is that it has no idea how to use its suspense. At a certain point I wasn't so much on the edge of my seat as annoyed. I'm still glad I read it and I'm glad I have this story in my mental library, but it was a bit if a slog.

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jennw1212
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Watched the first episode of Feud. Not too bad. Definitely well cast.

EvieBee I am obsessed! 8y
16 likes1 comment
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RealLifeReading
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Last night's #bookanddinner - oxtail stew with basmati raisin rice. And an American classic. I've never watched the movie so didn't really know what the story was about!

Alfoster It's creepy good😳! 8y
kirriemummy Let me know-how it's in my list to read! 8y
Bookladylinda I didn't know this was a book! I loved loved this movie!!! Now I need to get the book! #blameitonlitsy!!! 📚📚📚 8y
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Clare-Dragonfly I didn't know there was a book either! I've never seen the movie. I want to... but I'm much more likely to read the book! 8y
Camsmom2010 The movie is FANTASTIC! No rivalry quite like Davis and Crawford. 8y
Chachic Your dinner looks yummy! 8y
RealLifeReading @Alfoster will have to find the movie soon! 8y
RealLifeReading @kirriemummy it's very dramatic...!! 8y
RealLifeReading @Bookladylinda ok I really want to see the movie! 8y
RealLifeReading @Camsmom2010 I was looking the movie up on Wikipedia and oh man the two of them were such rivals!! 8y
RealLifeReading @Chachic thanks! 😀 8y
RealLifeReading @Clare-Dragonfly now that I am reading this I'm very curious about the movie! 8y
Camsmom2010 @RealLifeReading The movie is a classic. It's definitely a must -see ! Their real life feud is legendary. There is actually a television series that is due to start soon that is all about their rivalry. Susan Sarandon is to play Bette Davis and Susan and Jessica Lange is to play Bette Davis. 8y
Camsmom2010 Oops. Jessica Lange is to play Joan Crawford! 8y
Clare-Dragonfly @RealLifeReading @Camsmom2010 The podcast You Must Remember This did a great series on Joan Crawford, with an episode on this movie. 8y
kirriemummy I second the you must remember this recoomendation- one of my favourite podcasts. 8y
Bookladylinda @RealLifeReading you must see the movie! Before they do the remake!!! 8y
123 likes10 stack adds17 comments
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DebinHawaii
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Not too book-related but... How excited am I about Ryan Murphy's new mini series about the feud between Joan Crawford & Betty Davis?!? Let's just say VERY!!! Susan Sarandon & Jessica Lange + old Hollywood glamour & gossip. It starts March 5th on FX. Looks like some classic movie re-watching needs to happen. EW recommends What Ever Happened to Baby Jane, Mildred Pierce, All About Eve, & Mommie Dearest-as Murphy says Feud contains shoutouts to it!💋

drokka They had such a tempestuous relationship. They may not have liked each other much, but the chemistry they has on screen was amazing. I have the tagged book that i read back in the 80s-90s and revealed much 8y
SharonGoforth ❤❤❤❤ 8y
Bookladylinda Love Bette Davis!!! 8y
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DebinHawaii @SharonGoforth @Bookladylinda Me too! ❤️❤️❤️ 8y
DebinHawaii @drokka Ahh, I knew there was a book about the feud but couldn't remember the name-thank you! I will look for it. Yes, they were both very talented women. 👍📚 8y
LauraJ I am soooo looking forward to this! 8y
Bette I'm looking forward to this too. I saw the trailer when they drive up to the studio and cut each other off and knew it was them immediately. The colors Murphy shot with look amazing! 8y
Gayan How did I not know about this?! I am an absolute Ryan Murphy fangirl! 8y
DebinHawaii @LauraJ Me too! ❤️ @Bette Yes! The photos in the magazine look perfect. Great casting all around! 👍 @Gayan I heard Susan Sarandon talking about it on a talk show recently so I had a bit of a heads up but got super excited when I got the magazine. 😆 8y
Gayan @DebinHawaii This makes me very happy. 8y
prowlix There is an old Hollywood podcast called You Must Remember This that did a "Six degrees of Joan Crawford" that was soooo good! I loved all of it ? 8y
DebinHawaii @Gayan Me too! Maybe we need a Litsy watching group! 😆 @prowlix Ooh fun! I wonder if it is still available somewhere?! 😀 8y
EKonrad I. Can't. Wait. 8y
Jinjer Hadn't heard about this!!!! Thank you! Calendaring it! 8y
melbeautyandbooks Yes so much yes! 8y
prowlix It's through the panoply network and should be available through most podcast subscriptions. She just started a new series on Hollywood blondes and I'm excited 8y
95 likes1 stack add16 comments
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badnorthern
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'Tis the season! 🎃 🍁🍂🔮🕸🕷👀

misswendyd I've had BABY JANE on my list to read for ages! EILEEN is nasty and riveting. 8y
badnorthern @misswendyd Baby Jane holds up. Very creepy! 8y
badnorthern @MrBook thanks dude! 8y
11 likes1 stack add4 comments
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LeahBergen
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I just have to add this one for all of you who "love" a good, creepy, doll-face cover. ? The short story that inspired the movie "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte" is also included in this collection. #madeintoamovie #SomethingforSept

megt I don't think I knew Whatever Happened to Baby Jane was based on a book! I'll have to check it out. 8y
DebinHawaii Yes! Love the movie but didn't know about the book. Definitely checking it out! 👍😀 8y
LauraJ Must read! Baby Jane is one of my fave movies. 8y
See All 9 Comments
BethFishReads The movie was spooky! 8y
SharonGoforth Two of my favorite Bette Davis movies! 8y
[DELETED] 2232195534 That cover!! 😱😱😱 8y
KVanRead Such a good and creepy movie! #DamnitLitsy! Another book to read! 8y
shawnmooney 1. Never knew it was / they were books/stories first. 2. Love that cover! 8y
LeahBergen @shawnmooney I didn't either until I discovered this book! 8y
53 likes8 stack adds9 comments
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Wife
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Mehso-so

Had to read it. Liked the movie. The introduction is about the bitter rivals, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, and how they came to be cast in Baby Jane. The characters they were in real life were as outrageous as the ones in the novel.

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Interrobanger
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How lovely to come home from a trip to find this in my mailbox!! I can't believe I haven't read it before now.

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MandaRie
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Pickpick

This was some really messed up, Shirley Jackson, Gone Girl, Mean Girls, Mommy Dearest, Norman Bates, level kind of stuff. Really dark and sinister. I loved it! If you like Shirley Jackson's work, I recommend this. 4/5.