Fifty years ago a cinema masterpiece of sorts was made. It was the black and white B-movie "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane". Co-starring two of Hollywood heaviest of heavy weights Joan Crawford and Bette Davis as freaky Hollywood casualties. The original was released on Halloween of 1962 and based on the Henry Farrell novel. Shot in black and white in Hancock Park and Hollywood culminating on a beach in Malibu "Baby Jane"is one of the creepiest movies ever made. It has achieved cult status for both its horror and camp appeal. Both Joan Crawford's and Bette Davis' careers were resurrected by "Baby Jane". The plot is a legendary Hollywood nightmare, a study of fame and its detriments. Sisterly jealousy dominates the twisting script. "But you are Blanche. You Are!"
There are now reports of a re-make of "Baby Jane" in the pipeline. Why? It was tried once before with Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave and failed. It failed so badly most people wouldn't know it exists. This new attempt is slated to be directed by Walter Hill. His biggest problem is going to be casting. Who could play those roles other the Davis and Crawford? Many actresses will turn the roles down flat. Don't expect Meryl Streep and Sally Field to take the roles, Valerie Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips would be a better ballgame to bet upon. Sure, it could possibly be a good movie but it will always have to compete with the original. It will never compare so why go through the expense and bother? It is a lose lose situation.
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