What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?
Script - Dialogue Transcript
Voila! Finally, the What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?
script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the Bette Davis and Joan
Crawford movie. This script is a transcript that was painstakingly
transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?. I know, I know, I still need to get the cast names in there and I'll be eternally
tweaking it, so if you have any corrections, feel free to
drop me a line. You won't
hurt my feelings. Honest.
Want to see it again, little girl? It shouldn't frighten you.
I'm sorry. Nothing until matinee tomorrow.
Lady, would ya mind takin' off your hat?
Excuse me.
Atta girl, Janey. Show 'em how!
Oh, thank you, folks. Thank you very much, thank you...
One final request, all right?
"I've Written a Letter to Daddy!"
All right, thank you.
"I've Written a Letter to Daddy."
"I've written a letter to Daddy.
"His address is heaven above.
"I've written, Dear Daddy, we miss you...
"...and wish you were with us to love.
"Instead of a stamp I put kisses.
"The postman says that's best to do.
"I've written this letter to Daddy...
"...saying, I love you.
"I've written a letter to Daddy...
"...saying, I love you!"
Well, what do you have here?
All for you.
Jane, isn't that a beautiful doll?
Thank you, young man, that's a gorgeous doll!
Folks, have you ever seen such a lovely doll?
Don't forget, there's a genuine...
...Baby Jane doll waiting for each and every one of you right out in the foyer.
All you have to do is go out there and collect it. And kids, remember...
...you can tell your moms that each and everyone of these...
...genuine, beautiful, great big dolls...
...is an exact replica of your own Baby Jane Hudson.
Baby Jane dolls. Only $ . .
I won't, I don't wanna go back to that ol' hotel!
I don't have to take a nap and you can't make me!
Now, Jane, don't act up, sweetheart.
You've got to take your nap. You know that.
No, I don't know and I'm not going to!
You don't want all these nice friends of yours out here...
...to think that you're a bad little girl, do ya?
I don't care! I want an ice cream!
Janey, I told you...
I make the money, so I can have what I want!
Leave me alone! I need an ice cream!
Well, if you need an ice cream...
...I guess you better have some.
I mean, it's pretty hot and all.
But remember, this is the last time this week.
All right, Daddy. Blanche wants some, too.
We gotta have some ice cream for Blanche.
I don't want anything.
What do you think you're tryin' to do?!
I always said it's the parents' fault in cases like this.
I'm really disappointed!
It sure is a hot day today.
You're the lucky one, though, Blanche, really you are.
Someday it's going to be you that's getting all the attention.
And when that happens, I...
...I want you to try to be kinder to Jane and your father...
...than they are to you now.
You know what I mean?
I hope you'll try'n remember that.
I won't forget.
You bet I won't forget!
The Seltzer Agency sent you?
Think there's any chance for me?
There's a chance if Mr. Weber likes you.
What type does he like?
A lot of personality.
I'll catch on, watch me.
Oh, boy! Oh, boy!
With my money I should make a picture like that, huh?
Good morning, Mr. Weber. I'm Ms. Brent.
Yes. Won't you come a little closer, please?
She's got a southern accent like I got a southern accent.
I know it's : ! I'll be there when I get there!
Gardner is here to see you.
Gardner?
I'll come out.
I'll be right back, Ms. Brent.
Have yourself a cigarette.
Make yourself at home.
Then the job is mine?
Need you ask?
Kill it!
What do you think, Ben?
What's thinking got to do with it, huh?
She stinks, doesn't she?
They say the end's pretty good. Maybe we should've seen it through.
You gonna want that picture again today, Mr. Feldman?
I don't think anybody's ever gonna want that picture again!
When the old man hired them Hudson sisters...
...how come he had to hire the back end of the act, too?
Boy, what a no-talent broad that Baby Jane is!
Why can't she stay sober?
Jane's got her pride. She's a very sensitive girl.
Your "very sensitive girl" guzzled her way through six cases of Scotch...
...and slugged two studio cops.
Not to mention one or two other less savory items of publicity...
...before we got that so-called epic in the can.
Anyway, you don't have to talk to Jane.
If Blanche will only let us out of that clause in the contract...
...which says that we have to make a picture with Baby Jane...
...for every picture that we make with Blanche.
Then Baby Jane's contract won't be any problem.
You see, that's what we pay lawyers for.
Possibly.
But somehow, I can't see Blanche doing that.
You know, I don't get it!
Blanche Hudson's the biggest thing in movies today.
She can write her own ticket. She's got a script approval.
She's got more money than she knows what to do with...
You know, she just bought that tremendous place Valentino used to have.
It's gonna take her a year to fix it up...
...the way she wants it before they move in.
Well I guess they can manage to struggle on where they are now.
But, my point is she ought to have sense enough to know that...
...she can't make a star out of Baby Jane again.
Blanche doesn't have any illusions like that.
But she's a very fine person, Ben.
She's never gonna forget those early years.
What her sister did for her. She told me that herself.
Well, I tell you, she's not doin' Baby Jane any favor.
Someday, sooner or later, that girl's gonna end up in a home.
Look, you're going to their party at the Grove tonight, aren't you?
Did you ever try refusing one of Blanche's invitations?
Do me a favor, Marty, will ya? You talk to Blanche.
Try to make her understand, huh?
- Do my best. - Thanks...
Remind me to send you one of those...
...Baby Jane dolls for Christmas.
I've got mine for this year.
I don't get it, Marty.
What do they make monsters like this for?
For Blanche Hudson.
That's our problem.
You go to bed!
- Hi, Mom! - Oh, hi, dear.
Hello, beautiful! How 'bout a little souvenir?
Let go of that, will ya, let go!
Come on, don't be like that. Who do you think you are?
Thanks.
Isn't she great?
Sorry to break in on this fine old Blanche Hudson movie, folks.
But you'll be glad I did...
...when you see what I have right here...
...for that favorite pooch of yours.
And Iliad means quality.
So when your dog says, "woof woof"...
...feed him Iliad, the classic dog food.
Oh, shut up!
Iliad will bring the sheen back to your dog's coat...
Oh, my goodness, I remember the first time I saw that picture.
I thought it was just wonderful.
When was that?
Let's see now, as I recall, your father took me to see it at the old Majestic.
It was before we were married.
She must be about by now!
As a matter of fact, dear, I think Blanche Hudson is...
...just a few years older than I am.
Really?!
Yes, dear, "really."
Well, how come we never see her around?
We've been living next door to them for six months now...
...and the only one I ever see is that fat sister slouching around.
Don't they ever have company?
I mean it must be awful.
You know, Julie says that sister's kind of peculiar.
Did you ever notice that?
No, I never have.
Well, that's what Julie told me.
She said that she was supposed to be responsible for the accident...
...that crippled her sister Blanche.
That all happened a very long time ago, dear.
And maybe you shouldn't pay too much attention...
...to everything that Julie Fowler tells you.
There's too many people in this town with nothing else to do but talk.
Maybe so, but Julie's folks have lived here a long time.
I guess she should know.
Turn up the volume, dear. We're missing the picture.
- Will you have a little champagne? - No, thank you.
You wanna tell Poppa your troubles?
Somebody you love?
Oh, Jack, please try to understand.
I married you because...
...I was knocked silly and it was a refuge.
I found out tonight that this boy's in trouble, maybe alone.
It's blinding me.
I can't think of anything else...
Oh! He should've held that shot...
...Ionger.
I told him that when we were rehearsing, also when it was shot!
But he wouldn't listen!
- Hiya? - Swell.
It's still a pretty good picture.
...and Gemini...
Tommy, you don't have to stay here, do you?
I'll just sit here.
Enjoying yourself?
Jane, what are you doing?
I was watching!
Then you're an idiot!
I won't have you speak to me like that!
Ah, the poor thing!
Poor baby.
Quiet down.
Oh, good morning, Ms. Hudson. I hope I'm not intruding.
I just couldn't resist cutting these flowers for your sister...
...after seeing her show yesterday.
You must be very proud of her new success...
...on television, I mean.
I can't tell you how nice it is...
...to be seeing all of her old pictures like this.
I'll tell 'er you said so.
You know, my daughter and I would just love to meet her one day.
Perhaps she could...
Mrs. Bates, my sister doesn't ever go out.
She's not fit to receive visitors.
Oh, I am sorry to hear that.
I'd no idea that, well...
I hope she likes the flowers.
Thanks.
You miserable...
Oh, Jane, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to ring for my breakfast.
I was just wondering who all those people were at the back door.
Wasn't anything.
Just that nosey Mrs. Bates going on about your picture last night.
Oh, really? Did she like it?
Oh, really? Did she like it?
She liked it.
I remember, when it first came out...
...it had a tremendous reception.
The critics described it as... brilliant!
Do you remember what year you made that picture?
Well, of course, you must, too. In right after I did "Moonglow."
I made a picture that year, too!
Oh, yes, it was that comedy directed by Lloyd, wasn't it?
No, it wasn't. It was a love story.
"The Longest Night."
Marty McDonald said it was the best thing I ever did!
They never even released it in the United States!
Feldman was very upset.
He told me the company had...
...a very bad year and they couldn't afford...
No, they didn't! They had a great year!
They didn't want to show my films.
They were too busy giving a "big build-up"...
...to that crap you were turning out.
I'll clean the cage.
Oh, that would be Elvira.
Come in, Elvira!
- How are you today? - Fine.
Oh, you've seen Jane.
I don't think she's feeling very well today.
Did you speak to that Dr. Shelby about Ms. Jane like you said?
No, I haven't yet. It's rather difficult.
I don't want to upset her again, if I can help it.
But she'll be upset anyway, Ms. Blanche.
And the longer you leave it, the worse it's gonna be.
I know.
But I was just hoping it wouldn't be necessary.
I think she seems much better lately.
It's none of my business...
...but she's been drinkin' again. You know that, don't ya?
No, I hadn't noticed.
Oh, I don't think it does her any real harm.
I think I understand her.
Oh, you do, huh?
Well, then, you ought to take a look at this.
What are these?
I guess it's what you'd call fan mail.
Oh, how kind people are.
You better look at them...
...and then you can tell me whether or not you've seen them before.
- Did you read that? - No.
But they've been opened.
That's right, they all have.
And there's one in here marked "Personal."
"The other night my husband and I watched that lovely movie of yours...
"...'Last Honeymoon.'
"I remember saying to my husband at the time that seeing you again...
"...was just like meeting an old friend."
Oh, that's charming. That's really charming!
The point is, you never saw them before, did you?
I thought not.
I'm sorry, I thought you ought to know.
But, I don't understand.
Where'd they come from? Where'd you find them?
In the trash barrel, that's where!
They're from that television station...
...that's been running your old movies, aren't they?
You mean Jane?
Who else?
Oh, well, she must have thought they were advertisements.
Then why would she open the one marked "Personal"?
And what about this? You might as well see this, too.
Writing those dirty words!
I can even remember the last time I saw words like that written down!
But, why would she do a thing like this?
You know what makes her do things like this!
She's sick, and she's not getting any better.
In fact, the last month she's been getting a lot worse.
If you don't believe me, then...
...why are you selling this house and planning to move out?
You said this last month...
...she's been a lot worse.
Do you think she knows?
About selling the house?
How could she? You don't have anything in writing.
We're sisters, Elvira.
We know each other very well.
I think she's jealous...
...because of those old movies of yours they're showing on television this week.
Anyway, in six weeks you'll have to hand over the house and then...
...she'll have to know.
How do I tell her?
How?!
Well, if you'd just speak to that Dr. Shelby, maybe he could tell her.
No, it ought to be me.
I can't let a stranger tell her.
But he's a doctor, Ms. Blanche. And she's a sick woman.
Elvira, you didn't know her when she was a child.
When she was young.
I've seen those pictures she keeps.
It wasn't that she was just pretty.
She was different.
She was so alive.
I was cleaning the cage.
The bird got out.
But where is it now?
It flew out the window.
You let that bird out on purpose, Ms. Jane!
I just told ya, I was cleaning the cage and the bird flew out the window.
I'm sorry!
She did that on purpose! Believe me, she did it on purpose!
Never mind.
Maybe he'll come back.
You won't change your mind, will you?
I mean about coming to live with me?
You know I don't go back on my word, Ms. Blanche.
But you've got to make up your mind about finding somewhere for Ms. Jane...
...where they can look after her properly.
I have made up my mind.
I'm going to call Dr. Shelby today.
I know, Ms. Blanche, I know.
It's just that I have to be sure...
...I'm doing the right thing for her.
Hello, is this Johnson's?
I want to order some liquor. It's Jane Hudson.
Waddaya mean you can't fill any more orders for me?
My sister did?
Well, wait a minute, I'll put 'er on.
Blanche, would you speak to this man from Johnson's?
Hello, who is this, please?
Oh, yes, Mr. Carlston.
Yes, this is Blanche Hudson. What seems to be the trouble?
I'm afraid there's been some misunderstanding.
I certainly didn't mean to suggest...
...that you shouldn't fill any orders for her.
After all, we do pay our bills, don't we?
Yes, fine.
Would you please?
I'll put her on.
Okay, then?
Good...
...I'd like to order six bottles of Scotch and three bottles of gin.
The same brands, and as soon as possible.
I just told Ms. Blanche. I'm going downtown to see a man about jury duty.
I'll be back tomorrow.
"I've written a letter to Daddy.
"His address is heaven above.
"I've written, Dear Daddy, we miss you...
"...and wish you were with us to love.
"Instead of a stamp, I put kisses.
"The postman says...
"The postman says...
"...that's best to do.
"I've written a letter to Daddy...
"...saying, 'I...
"...Iove... you."'
"Now when I'm very good...
"...And do as I am told...
"...I'm Mama's little angel.
"And Papa says I'm good as gold.
"But when I'm very bad...
"...and answer back and sass...
"...then I'm Mama's little devil.
"And Papa says I've got the brass.
"Now I wish that you would tell me...
"...'cause I'm much too young to know..."
All right, Blanche Hudson!
Ms. Big, Fat, Movie Star!
Ms. Rotten, Stinking Actress!
Press a button, ring a bell...
...and you think the whole damn world comes running, don't you?!
Lunch, Ms. Hudson?
Why, certainly, Ms. Hudson!
I'm sure we can find something appropriate for you, Ms. Hudson!
Oh, you brought my lunch. A bit early, isn't it?
Then what were you ringing for?
Oh, I wanted to tell you, something's wrong with the telephone.
Maybe it's been left off the hook downstairs.
Is that so?
Who'd you wanna call, Blanche?
Well, actually I wanted to call Bert Hanley.
Oh, our business manager?
There's something I've been meaning to discuss with you.
Well, I'm afraid I have bad news... about money.
You see the point is, Bert thinks we'll probably have to sell the house.
Why should we have to sell the house, Blanche?
Well, that's what I'm trying to tell you.
Our financial position is such that we just...
...we can't afford to...
We've got plenty of money invested. I know.
Yes... yes, that's quite true, but...
...some of those investments aren't paying much.
When did our business manager tell you all this?
Early last week, I think.
He didn't call here last week. I know that, too.
No, we didn't actually speak on the telephone.
He wrote me a letter.
He didn't write you any letter either.
There hasn't been a letter from his office since...
Yes, Jane, there has.
Oh, you're a liar! You're just a liar! You always were!
Bert Hanley never wrote you any letter and never called you on the phone...
...tellin' you to sell the house.
You called him four weeks ago and told him to sell it!
I did nothing of the sort.
Don't you think I know everything that goes on in this house?
You've been spying on me!
What do you think?!
You are disgusting!
After all I've done for you!
When all I'm trying to do is help.
Who are you tryin' to help, Blanche?
What were you plannin' to do with me when you sold the house?
What'd you have in mind...
...some nice little place where they could look after me?
Better not tire yourself out using the phone anymore.
If there are any calls, I'll take them downstairs.
Eat your lunch, it'll get cold!
Jane! Please wait.
Jane, I want to talk to you... please!
Jane, I want to talk to...
Telephone, mother.
All right, dear.
I called this morning and placed an ad.
Did we give you a reference number?
Oh, yeah.
Here it is. You want to check the copy?
That's fine.
Did you want this to go in the "Personal" column or in the want ads?
Well, I always think the "Personal" column's nicer, don't you.
That's an eight-line ad. That'll be $ . .
Who's placing this ad?
We have to know.
Why, I am!
Yeah, I know, but who for?
You see, when you're placing an advertisement for someone...
...to do a job for you, we have to have your name for the record.
Well, my name is... Jane Hudson.
Maybe you remember me. I'm Baby Jane Hudson!
Sure.
Thank you. This will be in the paper tomorrow.
Who the hell was Baby Jane Hudson?
"Please call Dr. Shelby at OL - and...
"...ask him to come to the house immediately."
"Under no circumstances...
"...let my sister...
"...see the contents...
"...of this note.
"...Blanche Hudson."
Oh, Ms. Hudson, how nice to see you.
- I was just going to call on you. - Why?
I just wanted to ask you about the flowers I brought over for your sister.
I'm afraid they don't last very long this time of year and...
...I thought perhaps you'd like some more.
You could've saved yourself the trouble.
Oh, but it's no trouble at all.
I've just been cutting some, that's why I came over.
I always think it's so nice to have flowers...
...in the house... - Mrs. Bates!
I guess if my sister needed flowers, we could afford to buy them!
What's the matter, Mother? You look as though you've been in a fight.
I'm not sure that I haven't been.
Jane Hudson makes me so mad, I could kill her!
That's a good idea.
What'll we use?
Did you have a nice drive?
What are you talking about?
Nothing, dear. It's been so long since you were out of the house.
I though perhaps you'd gone for a drive or something.
You know, I was thinking...
...it's been so long since we had a talk...
...you know, a real talk about the future and everything.
I didn't want you to be worried about the house.
Even if I do have to sell it, we'll still be together.
Blanche, you're not going to sell this house.
Daddy bought this house.
And he bought it for me.
You don't think I remember that, do you?
You're wrong, Jane.
You've just forgotten.
I bought this house for the two of us...
...when I signed my first contract.
You don't think I remember anything, do you?
There're a whole lot of things I remember.
And you never paid for this house.
Baby Jane paid for this house, that's who!
You don't know what you're saying.
You aren't ever gonna sell this house.
And you aren't ever gonna leave it...
...either.
Do you remember when I first came back after the accident?
You promised you wouldn't ever talk about that again.
I know I did...
...but I'm still in this chair.
After all those years I'm still in this chair.
Doesn't that give you some kind of responsibility?
Jane, I'm just trying to explain to you how things really are.
You wouldn't be able to do these awful things to me...
...if I weren't still in this chair!
But you are, Blanche! You are in that chair!
And tell me what are these awful things I'm supposed to be doing to you?
Well I meant...
...you wouldn't have to work so hard.
And I was thinking maybe...
...maybe Elvira could come in more often.
Maybe she could even live with us.
We don't need Elvira!
But you get so tired, you...
There's so much to do, and you're not well.
Maybe you're right.
Maybe I should get a check-up or something.
That would be wonderful!
Perhaps we can, we can find a really good doctor.
We could get hold of that nice Dr. Shelby, couldn't we?
Let's see...
...what's his number again?
"...Under no circumstances...
"...tell my sister the contents of this note."
It's not me that needs a doctor, Blanche!
Hello, lovey.
Now, don't stop for me.
What did the doctor say?
He says it's no use my trying to go back to work for six months.
Didn't he even give you anything new to take?
Oh, he says it's arthritis.
An' the only thing for me to do is not to try an' work until it clears up.
Did he suggest what we're going to use for money in the meantime?
No, dear. But he's ever such a nice man.
Now, lovey, never you mind, anyway.
You know, we've still got a bit of savings.
You're my little worrier.
That's nice. You've found something, have you?
You don't have to get so excited. You haven't even seen what it is yet.
No, dear but it's a possibility, isn't it?
I mean, there aren't that many jobs that'd be suitable...
...I mean for someone with your qualifications.
What qualifications?
Well, you know... serious music and that...
Oh, this sounds like just the ticket, doesn't it?
- You're gonna call? - Call who?
These people.
Might as well.
Now?
Well, it wouldn't be a lot of bloody use calling next week, would it?
Mom, tell you what. Why don't you call for me?
Tell them you're my secretary or something.
All right, dear, I'll do that.
And listen, I won't let on who I am.
You see, I'll just tell 'em I'm Mr. Flagg's "secketary."
- Secretary. - Sec-re-tary.
Well, do you know...
...I do believe yer old mum'd...
...be a jolly good "secketary" at that.
Don't you think?
This is Jane Hudson.
Oh, about the ad!
Who is this?
This is Mr. Flagg's "secketary."
Oh, his secretary.
Mr. Flagg is very interested.
And he'd like to know if he can have an appointment.
I think you'll find he's very well qualified.
Well, sure, I'd be glad to give Mr. Flagg an appointment.
Well, now, let me see...
...how 'bout : this afternoon?
I think that would be fine.
Well, I'll be expecting him then.
It's all fixed, lovey.
Ah, yer old mum's managed everything...
...hasn't she?
Oh, shut up!
What do you want this time?
Who was on the telephone?
None of your business! What were you ringing for?
I'm hungry, Jane.
Well, of course you're hungry. You didn't eat your dinner.
That's why you're hungry.
But you forgot my breakfast.
I didn't forget your breakfast.
I didn't bring your breakfast...
...because you didn't eat your din-din.
We're right back where we started.
When I was on the stage, you had to depend on me for everything...
...even the food you ate came from me.
Now you have to depend on me for your food again.
So you see, we're right back where we started.
Why are you doing this to me?
Why?
Doing what?
Making me afraid to eat, trying to make me starve myself.
Don't be silly.
If you starve, you die.
I don't know what you're talking about. You really must be sick!
Did you ever stop to think that...
...if anything happened to me, I mean anything bad...
...there wouldn't be any money for you?
I wouldn't be here to sign the checks.
You wouldn't even have pocket money.
Did you ever think of that?
I've thought about that.
Why didn't you eat your dinner?
Because I'm afraid.
You made me afraid.
I thought you were supposed to be the big girl in this family.
Nothing wrong with it.
You're just a neurotic, Blanche!
D'you know that...
...you're just a neurotic?
- Good morning, Elvira. - Good morning.
- Please, Jane, I'm so hungry. - I have to go now.
But just a little, please!
No. You didn't eat your din-din, so you'll have to wait till lunchtime.
Jane, please... don't do this to me. Jane! Please!
- Good morning, Elvira. - Good morning, Ms. Jane.
I wanna talk to you.
- I want to apologize. - Apologize?
I wasn't feeling so well yesterday, so I was unkind to you.
I want to make it up.
I got up this morning and fixed the house.
So you can have the whole day off.
Here's your $ .
Well, thanks, but does Miss... What I mean, is...
...does Ms. Blanche know about my taking the day off?
Oh, sure, she knows.
All right... if you say so.
See you next Tuesday then.
Have a good time.
Goodbye.
Bye!
Who was that at the door earlier?
Elvira.
Where is she now? In the kitchen?
No. I gave her the day off.
She has a pretty hard time, considering.
I told her to come back next week.
You know we got rats in the cellar?
Good afternoon.
Mr. Flagg?
Yes, I'm Edwin Flagg.
I have an appointment with Ms. Hudson for : o'clock.
I'm Jane Hudson.
My, you're... you're right on time, aren't you?
Yes, I believe I am.
Come in.
We can talk here in the living room.
Oh, I say... what a perfectly charming room.
- So, you're Edwin Flagg? - Yes, that's right.
I'll bring you some tea. You like tea?
Oh, yes. I'm quite fond of tea.
You must've guessed that I'm English.
Oh, really? How nice for you.
Oh, here, let me help you.
That's a terribly big...
...burden for such a little girl.
Thank you. You're very kind.
It's so hot today. Did you drive here in your car?
Well, actually I took a cab.
It's a bit of a nuisance, but I had to put my car in for servicing.
- Oh. Cream or lemon? - Cream.
Sugar?
My, it looks good.
I always think it's nice to break bread...
...with strangers, don't you? - Oh, yes, indeed.
I don't think you actually mentioned the exact nature of...
Well, I've been retired for some time now.
I've been taking care of someone in my family who's sick.
And now you're free to return to your profession?
Yes.
And what exactly...
I mean, I take it you are a soloist. Some instrument?
I wonder if you can guess who I am.
Can you give me a hint?
Well, it's not fair to make you guess.
I'm Baby Jane Hudson!
Oh! Do you mean you're really the Baby Jane Hudson?
Yes, I am!
And I'm going to revive my act exactly as I used to do it.
Of course, some of the arrangements will have to be brought up to date.
Music changes so much, doesn't it?
And you know, they're desperate for new acts. Television...
...Las Vegas and all the clubs and...
...there are a lot of people who remember me, lots of them.
I don't see how you could fail.
You know, I had a kind of a feeling...
...the minute I opened that door and saw you standing there.
I just knew we were going to be friends.
I've been thinking about costumes.
Costumes...
Yes. I took some of my old ones...
...down to be copied. You think that's a good idea?
Of course.
But I don't quite remember...
How silly of me, Edwin. How could you?
But I do want your opinion. I really do.
All my scrap books and stuff are in the rehearsal room and...
...you can look at them and tell me what you think.
- You'd like to see them, wouldn't you? - Well, of course.
Oh, I wish Daddy could be here right now!
"You can never lose your talent," he used to tell me.
"You can lose everything but you can't lose your talent!"
I think you'll find these clippings...
...very interesting.
Daddy saved them for me from the very first.
He used to put them in special books.
I always liked that picture.
It's so sad.
- Will you excuse me? - Yes, certainly.
You always spoil everything! Don't you?!
- No, Jane. I just wanted to know... - Who is down there? I'll tell ya!
I got a friend down there. Someone who's come to see me!
He doesn't even know you exist! And you don't like that, do you?
But you're wrong, Jane. I've always wanted you to have friends.
That's what I've always wanted, really.
Then how come I never had any?
Well, maybe you weren't...
...I've, I mean, you were just too independent...
No, that's not why!
You always stopped me from having friends, that's why!
Not anymore, Jane, not anymore.
I'm pleased that you have a friend. That's what you need.
- Oh, sure! - I was just hoping maybe...
...I could meet him and we could have a nice talk just the three of us.
You'd like that, wouldn't you?
Then you could tell him a whole lot of lies about me.
Scare him off...
...or maybe have him...
...for yourself!
"I've written a letter to Daddy.
"His address is heaven above."
That's wonderful!
"I've written a letter to Daddy.
"His address is heaven above.
"I've written, Dear Daddy, we miss you...
"...and wish you were with us to love.
"Instead of a stamp I put kisses.
"The postman says that's best to do.
"I've written a letter to Daddy...
"...saying, I love you.
"I've written a letter to Daddy...
"...saying, I love you!"
Oh, Edwin, you certainly can play, can't you?
- And you certainly can sing. - Oh, thank you.
I can see you've done this kind of work before.
No. Not really.
Actually, I've spent most of my time on serious music.
Composing, and that sort of thing.
You mean, this will be your first contact with show business?
Not exactly.
You see, my father was quite well known as an actor.
In the movies? Maybe I worked with him.
I shouldn't think so.
He's been dead quite a long time now.
I lost my daddy when I was quite young, too.
Of course, he was more in the classical tradition, I mean as an actor.
Shakespeare and that sort of thing.
People used to say Daddy could've been a star in his own right.
He was a musician, too.
Oh? What instrument?
Piano and banjo.
Oh, that's very interesting.
You know, the banjo's a very native American instrument.
Of course, my father was British...
...but he never...
...really got a chance out here in Hollywood.
Oh, that's too bad.
It's funny, really.
Because actually he came from a rather distinguished family, socially...
...and yet nearly all the parts he had were playing menials, butlers and such.
- Oh, really? - Yes.
I don't think my mother...
...ever really appreciated what he was trying to do.
Oh, I know what you mean.
It's very hard for an artist when people don't understand.
I remember when...
I sometimes try to explain to her...
...that if you're going to produce anything decent in the way...
...of serious music...
...you must have the right atmosphere.
But of course. Delia can't understand that.
Delia? Who's Delia?
You might not think it to look at her, but she is my mother.
For a minute I thought you had...
...a wife or a lady friend...
...tucked away somewhere.
Oh, no. Nothing like that. How much were you actually thinking of paying?
Paying?
Well, what do you think?
How about a $ ?
A week, of course.
Oh. I think that would be fair.
Then that's settled.
I don't like talking about money, do you?
No. It's not that important, is it? Not like relationships between people...
...but the thing is, if I'm going to move out and give up my pupils...
...I'll have to know for sure.
When were you thinking of starting?
Just when could you let me have some money?
Well, I've some family matters to take care of...
...that should take about a week or so.
Well, then I don't see why we couldn't start rehearsing right away.
Tell you what, Edwin...
...I'll pay you first thing Wednesday, a month in advance.
It's done.
How about going to dinner somewhere nice?
Oh, it sounds fine.
Why don't you come with me now?
I've got to go down and pick up my costumes and then...
...we could go on to dinner from there.
Oh, I promised my mo... ...Delia I'd be home for supper.
Oh. Well, I'll drive you home then.
Oh, I'm so excited.
You know, I know everything is going to go just marvelously.
I have to go up and change. I won't be a minute.
This is really...
...a rather charming neighborhood.
Yes, I've always found it very nice.
I just can't wait to get started now, rehearsing.
We're going to be a great team, the two of us.
Oh, I'm sure we are.
I'll see you Wednesday. Bye.
This is Blanche, Blanche Hudson.
I need your help. Is the doctor there? I must talk to him.
Well, he's with a patient right now.
But I have to talk to him. I've got to.
Hold on, please. I'll see if I can interrupt him.
Ms. Hill tells me you're a little upset. What seems to be the trouble?
You must come. I need you here.
No. It's about my sister.
I need your help. I need you here.
Here at the house.
No. It's nothing like that.
It's the way she's behaving.
You've got to come over right away. Please, before she comes back.
I don't quite understand.
Is this some kind of emotional disturbance you're talking about?
Yes, she's emotionally disturbed.
She's unbalanced.
I don't know, doctor.
Are you trying to tell me that she's violent?
Yes!
Yes, she is!
I'm... not sure.
We aren't getting anywhere like this. I'll come over right away.
I know who it was.
No, Jane, that really was...
And I know what you're trying to do.
I'm not trying to do anything. Honestly, Jane.
This is Blanche Hudson again.
Could I speak to the doctor?
Oh, yes, certainly. Hold on, please. I'll try and catch him.
Hello, Blanche. I'm on my way now.
Oh, I'm so glad I caught you in time.
Dr. Shelby, we're not going to need you after all.
I know, but Jane has gone to another doctor.
- Another doctor? - Yes. Another doctor.
Well, of course, if she's chosen to go to someone else...
Well, after all, we really can't interfere, can we?
If Jane's chosen to go to another doctor...
I'm very sorry.
Goodbye, doctor.
I thought I told you not to come back until next week.
Yes, but I had a free day today so I thought I'd come by and see...
...if there was anything needed doin'. - Well, there isn't anything.
So you could've saved yourself the trouble.
I was gonna write you a note, but now you're here I may as well tell you.
We're not gonna be needing you anymore.
But I don't understand.
We're closing up the house.
Blanche wants to take a smaller place at the beach.
The doctor thinks that's best for her so that's what we're going to do.
Oh, don't worry, you'll be paid for today. I'll send you a check.
I'm not worried about any pay.
I'd just like to see Ms. Blanche before I go.
Well, you can't. She's asleep.
That's all right. I don't mind waiting.
Well, I do, I gotta leave, so just gimme the keys to the house.
I'm sorry, I don't have the keys. I must've left 'em at home.
Anyway, go. You're fired.
Ms. Blanche, are you awake?
Are you all right in there?
Wait now, and I'll go find the key.
Thank you.
Good morning, Ms. Hudson.
How's Ms. Blanche these days?
She's just fine.
Your deposit slip?
Well, Blanche wanted me to get it all in cash this time.
- I guess she has some special reason. - Yes, but doesn't she normally...?
I mean if she isn't going to deposit her monthly check, she usually...
...gives us a call and tells us what she wants us to do, doesn't she?
- Didn't she call? - I don't think so.
Oh, I guess she must still be asleep. She gave me that check last night.
I see. Just a moment, please.
I guess that'll be all right, Ms. Hudson.
- Fifty and twenties, all right? - Yes, please.
- There you are. - Thank you.
Ms. Blanche, I'll tell you right now, if that sister of yours...
...has gone and given you sleeping pills to keep you quiet...
...while she's out doin' I don't know what...
...I'm sure as hell gonna call the police on her.
It's all right, Ms. Blanche.
I'm glad I caught you.
I hope you don't mind, but there's something I've been meaning to ask you.
Well, to tell you the truth, I'm kind of short of help around the house and...
...I was wondering if you'd mind me asking your cleaning lady...
...if she could give me a couple of days a week.
As far as I'm concerned, you can have her as often as you want.
My sister and I are moving.
So we won't want her anymore.
But you'll have to call her because she isn't here.
I've already sent her home.
But I just saw her.
Yes, but I sent her home.
Oh, no, but that's impossible.
I saw her go into the house a few minutes ago.
- In the house? - Yes.
So, you finally decided to come back.
What're you doing here?
- I told you, you were fired. - Never mind all that.
I want to know what's goin' on around here.
But you said you didn't have your key.
It just so happened that I did.
So now you can tell me what you mean by lockin' Ms. Blanche in her room.
This isn't Blanche's house, this is my house. And I can do what I like.
It doesn't make a bit of difference whose house it is.
You've got to act like a grown woman, the same as everybody else.
Suppose there'd been a fire or somethin'...
...and Ms. Blanche locked up in her room like that?
Well, there wasn't.
You open that door and stop all this nonsense.
Then give me the key!
She's asleep. I gave her a pill.
You did, huh?
Then you better give me that key and be quick about it.
I won't, and you can't make me.
I'm not afraid of you.
All right, Ms. Hudson. I'm not going to fool with you.
If you won't give me that key...
...I'll go right and call the police.
You'll be sorry.
Give me that key.
I didn't mean her any harm.
You better not have done her any harm.
What has she done to you?
Get it off in a minute.
Don't worry, Ms. Blanche. I'll get you down from there.
You just rest easy.
Going out are you, dear?
You know I am.
Having dinner with her?
I'm forgotten.
Now you won't be back too late, will you, lovey? Huh?
Who knows?
You could've been better than all of 'em.
But they didn't want that.
They just didn't love you enough.
Do you know that? They just didn't love you enough.
I'm sorry, Edwin.
I can't let you in.
Not now.
Go to hell!
I can't let you in.
Not now.
What am I going to do?
I thought... I didn't know there was anyone in here.
I just came home and saw a light...
...and I thought perhaps you'd left the lights of your car on.
You know, I've had that happen to me.
That's all right, Mrs. Bates.
I had that happen to me once, it's no joke.
Wake up in the morning and find you've got a dead battery.
No joke.
Well, as long as everything's all right...
...I guess I'll just say good night.
Good night.
That doesn't prove anything.
Now what do you think you'll do?
I'll manage, lovey.
I suppose you think I'm making all this up.
I wouldn't know.
Well, Hazel should know, shouldn't she?
She worked right in the same studio and that's when it all happened.
Just after one of those studio parties.
And right in front of her own house.
Jane Hudson drove a car straight at her own sister and crippled her for life.
Come on. You mean, she tried to kill her?
Yes, she did. She tried to murder her own sister.
How is it they didn't arrest her then?
Oh, they would've, but the studio had it all hushed up...
...on account of Blanche Hudson's career.
That sounds very likely.
Yes, doesn't it. So the fine woman you've chosen to run around with...
...turns out to be broke and a murderer as well.
Well, it's true.
All right then, if it's true, I'll ask her about it when I see her again.
You wouldn't see a woman like that again?
Why not? You just told me, she's got a rich sister.
You haven't heard the worst of it yet.
- You mean there's more? - Yes, there is.
After she'd run down her own sister, your precious Jane Hudson ran off and...
...left her there to die, like some poor animal.
She ran off and disappeared for three whole days.
So what happened then? Don't tell me they couldn't find her.
Oh, they found her all right. They found her all right.
They found her in some hotel room...
...with a man that she'd never even seen before.
Why should that upset you?
Isn't that how I was conceived?
Yes, this is Ms. Hudson.
She left.
About a week ago.
We have a report here, filed by her cousin, listing her as a missing person.
Did she tell you what her plans were, anything like that?
No, I don't know a thing.
Well, we have a couple of other addresses to check.
Maybe we'll come up with something.
Otherwise, we'll probably be getting in touch with you again.
Meanwhile, if you do hear from her, we would appreciate you letting us know.
The police are looking for Elvira.
It wasn't my fault.
She wouldn't go away, you heard her, she wouldn't leave me alone.
I don't know what to do, Blanche. What am I going to do?
What am I going to do?
If they find her, we'll have to run away.
That's what we'll do. We'll go away.
Oh, but then I wouldn't see Edwin anymore.
He wouldn't like what I did.
It wasn't my fault, but he wouldn't like it.
I don't care.
We'll just go to the beach.
We'll go and live at the seashore all the time, like we used to...
...when I was little and Daddy was there.
And maybe we'll have friends.
People would come and see us. Oh, I'd like that.
Blanche, listen to me.
You know, I always wanted everything to be nice, don't you?
I don't see how Elvira could make me do a thing like that.
I just don't understand.
It was like that time in the hotel room...
...when they came and told me that you were hurt and that I'd done it.
And there was a big man there, a policeman.
And he hit me and he slapped me and...
...I tried to tell him that I couldn't do a thing like that.
Not to my own sister.
He said I was a liar.
The accident, it...
No, it wasn't an accident.
I did it. You told me so yourself.
I must tell you.
I don't want to talk about it.
Every time I think about something nice, you remind me of all the bad things.
I only want to talk about the nice things.
Remember when Daddy and I used to rehearse at the beach?
I'd be dancing on the sand...
...and all the people would come and watch...
...all crowd around to see Baby Jane Hudson.
What'll I do?
- Let them in. - Oh, but what if...?
It may be Edwin.
Of course, Edwin.
You want to make him tell on me.
Wait for me!
I'm sorry, Ms. Hudson but we just picked up this young man...
...in front of your house.
Says he's on his way in to see you. Is that right?
I don't understand.
They're trying to say I'm drunk.
Let's just say you're a little happy, okay?
Who's happy?
I'm not happy.
So now you know.
That's right. So now we know.
Sorry to have bothered you, Ms. Hudson. Good night.
I have the money. Really, I have. But don't be mean to me.
You promised me.
I know I did, and I have the money.
Look, let's go in the kitchen and have a drink together.
It's nice there. And then...
...we can be friends again, and everything.
And everything...
- I've got something else for you, too. - What?
It's a surprise. Would you like to...?
You're gonna like your present.
You're really gonna like it.
Drink your drink, Edwin.
I'll go and get it for you.
This is my very own.
It's a genuine Baby Jane Doll.
I used to give them to all my really good friends...
...the people that I worked with.
- They made them for me. - Marvelous.
Specially.
Very lifelike.
Now Jane, you talk to nice Mr. Flagg, and...
...nice Mr. Flagg will have his money in a minute.
Oh, you're not comfy like that, are you?
Shall we go bye-bye?
Here comes the Super Chief.
What was that?
Nothing. Nothing. I didn't do anything.
She'll take you away from me.
Please...
...help me.
She's dying.
For God's sake.
She's dying.
Get away from me! Get away from me!
Edwin, I've got your money.
Edwin, you forgot your money!
He hates me.
He hates me.
He's going to tell.
You've got to help me.
We've got to leave.
Please, Blanche.
Help me, please.
I like this place.
We can just sit here for a while.
And pretty soon the sun will come up and it will be nice.
You should look at the sea.
It has all lights on it.
You used to like that.
We interrupt this program to bring you a special news bulletin.
At : this morning all local law-enforcement agencies...
...had assigned special details...
...to the kidnap-slaying mystery that surrounds the famed Hudson sisters.
It is believed that Blanche Hudson, film great of the early Thirties...
...has been forcibly abducted by her sister...
...former child star, Baby Jane Hudson...
...from the family home on Northwood Avenue in Hollywood...
...sometime between the hours of : p.m. And : p.m. Last evening.
With the exception of one witness...
...who reportedly saw the Hudson car, a or black convertible...
...heading west on Wilshire and Santa Monica...
...no report has been received.
I see you found that colored woman.
They found her all right.
Sure is a rotten way to get your picture in the papers.
You reckon you'll ever find that Baby Jane, or whatever her name is?
Sure, we'll find her. But I guess maybe it'll be too late.
Oh, officer, there's a car down there parked right out in the road.
I almost got stuck in the sand when I tried to get around it.
- You mean that old Lincoln convertible? - That's right.
That was parked there when we opened up this morning.
The keys are there, but I didn't want to move it. I thought maybe...
How do you figure?
Cops. How do you figure cops?
This is it.
You must be hot.
Help me.
I'm afraid.
Find someone...
...a doctor.
I can't.
If I die...
...you'll be alone.
But they'd be mean to me, like they were before.
They'll be kind.
I don't want to hear.
Jane, I'm dying.
There's no time.
You must listen.
I made you...
...waste your whole life...
...thinking you'd crippled me.
Please, stop.
You didn't do it.
I did it myself.
Don't you understand?
I crippled myself.
You weren't driving...
...that night.
You weren't driving.
You were too drunk.
I wouldn't let you drive.
I made you go open the gates.
I watched you get out of the car.
You'd been so cruel to me at the party.
Imitating me...
...making people laugh at me.
I watched you get out of the car and...
...I wanted to run you down...
...crush you.
You saw the car coming.
I hit the gates.
Snapped my spine.
Then, you mean...
...all this time we could've been friends?
You were frightened and ran away.
I managed to crawl out of the car and up to the gates.
When they found me...
...they assumed it was your fault.
Oh, you were so drunk and confused.
You didn't know any better.
You weren't ugly then.
I made you that way.
I even did that.
There's a place up there that sells things.
You like ice cream.
I'll get you some.
Do you have ice cream?
Yes, what flavor?
Vanilla, coffee, strawberry, lemon...
Strawberry. Strawberry, please. Two big strawberries, please.
- That'll be forty cents. - Thanks.
Right. You better send some more help.
We've been looking all over for you.
I'm sorry, but we must find your sister.
Is she down here on the beach with you?
- Yes, she is. - I'll take these for you.
Oh, no, they're mine. They're for my sister, Blanche.
She's going to be a movie star, you know.
That's right, miss.
We want to find your sister, because I think maybe she needs help.
I think maybe she's in trouble.
Won't you show us where she is, please?
Won't you take us to her? Please, Ms. Hudson.