Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964)

A Major Disappointment

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

I saw this movie before reading any reviews, and I thought it was very funny. I was very surprised to see the overwhelmingly negative reviews this film received from critics.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

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.

Bette Davis is holding forth on an old mansion in the South. She is a sort of Miss Havisham, having faced the death of her fiancée years before. It was likely her father killed her lover, but over time people started to blame her--she was simply weird. The mansion becomes the obstruction in an eminent domain case which would put Bette on the street. She call for her cousin to help her (Olivia de Havilland) but she turns out to be an adversary with her own motivations. Soon awful things begin to happen at the house with a series of efforts to put the old lady over the edge. In addition to a wonderful score, this film works quite well. There are also performances by some terrific actors, including Agnes Moorehead. Quite fun with lots of surprises along the way.

Directed by Robert Aldrich, "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte" finds the inimitable Bette Davis stuck in a silly Southern Gothic plot. She plays Charlotte Hollis, a hysterical woman who refuses to leave her dilapidated mansion in Louisiana. The film was written by Lukas Heller, who scripted "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?", a better Bette Davis flick.At the heart of "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte" is the mysterious death of Charlotte's lover. Charlotte is accused of this crime, but local law enforcement can't prove her guilt. This leads to decades of isolation, and Charlotte's slow crawl into insanity. The film co-stars Agnes Moorehead, who steals the show as Charlote's protective servant. Joan Crawford was originally expected to star in the film, but dropped out.Incidenally, Aldrich directed a number of bizarre, bombastic "women's pictures" late in his career, most notably "Autumn Leaves", "The Legend of Lylah Clare", "The Killing of Sister George" and "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?".4/10 – Worth no viewings.

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.