Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964) - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

"Where you are I could spit in your eye with no strain at all." - Bette Davis (as Charlotte Hollis in 'Hush... Hush Sweet Charlotte')


'Hush... Hush Sweet Charlotte' is a 1964 horror thriller starring Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotten, Agnes Moorehead, Victor Buono, Cecil Kellaway and Mary Astor. The gothic melodrama was directed and produced by Robert Aldrich.

The film begins in 1927 at a party at the Hollis mansion in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. During the party John Mayhew (played by Bruce Dern) is murdered and decapitated. When Charlotte Hollis (played by Davis) returns to the party with blood on her dress, she is presumed to be the murderer.

The film then jumps to 1964, with Charlotte still living in the mansion, still unmarried and still traumatised by the horrific murder of John Mayhey. When Charlotte's cousin Miriam (played by de Havilland) comes to stay, Charlotte's sanity deteriorates further as she is haunted by mysterious music playing during the night, and horrific hallucinations. In an attempt to prove her sanity, Charlotte is forced to fight against the plot of insanity tormenting her.

Watch the trailer:

Whatever Happened to... Joan Crawford?

Joan Crawford on the set of
'Hush... Hush Sweet Charlotte'
before her sudden departure

Following the success of 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane' in 1962, director Robert Aldrich planned to reunite the three stars of the film (Bette Davis, Joan Crawford and Victor Buono) in 'Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte'. After a few days on the set, Joan Crawford quit the film amid claims she was unwell. There has been speculation the true reason why Crawford left was because she feared she would be upstaged once again by rival Bette Davis, who had done so in 1962 with an Oscar nomination for 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane'.  After the role of Miriam was rejected by a number of well known actresses, Bette Davis suggested her friend Olivia de Havilland would be suitable.

The title song

The Oscar nominated title song, "Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte" became a hit for Patti Paige, where it reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Listen to Patti Paige's recording:

6 quick notes about the acting performances

Agnes Moorehead was nominated for an Oscar for her
performance as Velma Cruther

• Bette Davis' exceptional dramatic performance as Charlotte is a cross between her Oscar winning performance in the southern epic 'Jezebel' (1938) with the gothic overtones of her Oscar nominated performance in 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?' (1962)
• Olivia de Havilland delivers an effective and natural portrayal of Miriam
• Agnes Moorehead is brilliant as Charlotte's maid, Velma Cruther, and was rewarded with an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress
• Sadly Joseph Cotten's acting career has seen much better days
• Victor Buono's appearance in the film is far too short to comment on
• Screen legend Mary Astor delivers a memorable swan song in her final screen performance

Did you know...

• After Joan Crawford's sudden departure, Vivian Leigh, Katherine Hepburn, Barbara Stanwyck and Lorreta Young all turned down the role of Miriam
• The film was originally titled 'Whatever Happened to Cousin Charlotte?'
• Footage of the exterior of the Hollis mansion were shot on location in The Houmas in Louisiana, while the interior of the mansion were shot in Hollywood
• Victor Buono, who plays Charlotte's father Sam Hollis is actually 30 years younger than Bette Davis (who plays Charlotte)
• The film was nominated for 7 Oscars - at the time of release this was the most Oscar nomination a horror film had ever received
• Bette Davis was paid $200,000 for her performance
• This was Mary Astor's final screen film

Awards and nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress (Agnes Moorehead)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction in a black & white film
• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography in a black & white film
• Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design in a black & white film
• Academy Award nomination for Best Film Editing
• Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score
• Academy Award nomination for Best Song ("Hush... Hush Sweet Charlotte")
• Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting actress (Agnes Moorehead)
• Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award winner for Best Motion Picture Screenplay

Closing remarks

'Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte' is a chilling and gripping horror story of murder, insanity and deceit. While the overall film is well made and enjoyable to watch, the opening sequence in 1927 plays far too long.

I remember first watching 'Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte' when I was about 15 years old, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Since then I have seen the film a number of times, yet never seem to tire of it. Of all the films starring Olivia de Havilland, this is the one which I've seen the most, and is possibly my favourite.

Lady in a Cage (1964) - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

"Take anything you want, but in the name of humanity help me get out of this horrible cage!" - Olivia de Havilland (as Cornelia Hilyard in 'Lady in a Cage')


'Lady in a Cage' is a 1964 horror/thriller starring Olivia de Havilland, Ann Sothern, Jennifer Billingsley and James Caan.

The telephone... So near, yet so far

Cornelia Hilyard (played by de Havilland) is a wealthy middle aged woman living in a 3-story mansion with her 29 year old son Malcolm. Following hip surgery, Cornelia has a private elevator installed to help her commute from floor to floor.
Shortly after Malcolm leaves for a weekend away, there is a power failure, which leaves Cornelia trapped in her elevator, stranded between floors. A virtual prisoner in her home, Cornelia is robbed and terrorised by a drunk, a prostitute and a gang of 3 thugs.

Watch the trailer:

The opening title sequence

The opening title sequence is well crafted with montage shots of some disturbing images intercut with the credits. Some of the images include a dead dog, and a young girl rolling her roller skate over a homeless man laying in a gutter. This presents the spectator of a preview of the disturbing images to come.

Key themes

'Lady in a Cage' is a social commentary of 1960s United States, and the degradation and decaying of family values in society.

Firstly the rise of gang warfare and violence is presented with the gang of thugs breaking into Cornelia's home, and violently robbing and damaging her property. The film also explores violence against women with Randall beating his girlfriend Elaine for being smart, and also the scene with Esse pushing his knife against Sade's neck.

'Lady in a Cage' also plays on sexuality:

• The scene where Randall, Elaine and Esse are in the bathroom together hints at a potential male-female-male threesome
• Malcolm Hilyard, still living and home, is depicted as being homosexual having addressed the letter to his mother as "Dear Darling", with one of the thugs Esse commenting: "This whole letter. It sounds real... what you might say... gay", immediately followed by Randall asking Cornelia "Is your litle boy married?"

A domestic terror

The core of what makes 'Lady in a Cage' so terrifying is most of the events occurring within Cornelia's home - the one place where she should feel safe and secure. It leaves us as the spectator to consider, if Cornelia is unable to be safe within her own home, how can we be safe outside of our homes. In a desperate plea to stop the terror, Cornelia even makes an offer to her attackers: "I'll pay you to stop this animal orgy, $10,000 in cash."

The second domestic terror lies within Cornelia's mind. Towards the end of the film Cornelia's journey of self discovery brings her to the realisation of her controlling and manipulative maternal behaviour, driving her son to the verge of suicide. 

Did you know...

• This was James Caan's first "credited" feature film role - Caan had previously appeared uncredited in 'Irma La Douche' (1963).
• Joan Crawford was initially intended to play the role of Cornelia Hilyard
• The film was refused certification in the UK by the BBFC and remained banned until 2000

Closing remarks

'Lady in a Cage' is a gripping, suspenseful and claustrophobic psychological drama with three brilliant, yet very different performances:

• James Caan delivers a chilling and disturbing performance as the lead thug in his first credited feature film appearance
• Olivia de Havilland (as usual) does not disappoint with her powerful portrayal of the victimised Cornelia
• Screen legend Ann Sothern also steals every scene she's in as drunken prostitute, Sade.

Sadly this film was ahead of it's time and considered to be obcene. Had the film been released 10 years later, I am almost certain the three aforementioned performances would have received Oscar nominations.

When this film was first released in 1964, it terrorised and disturbed film goers, but watching it in 2012 we do not feel the same degree of terror. The disturbing thing about this is the realisation as to how desensitised we are to view films with violence and sadistic themes.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed 'Lady in a Cage' and would strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoys suspense and thrills. 

The Screaming Woman - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

'The Screaming Woman' is a 1972 television film directed by Jack Smight, and starring Olivia de Havilland, with special guest stars Joseph Cotten and Walter Pidgeon. The film is written by Merwin Gerard and loosely based on the short story by Ray Bradbury.

The opening title card

Produced by Universal Television, the TV film was originally aired as an ABC Movie of the Week.




While walking the grounds of her property, Laura Wynant (played by de Havilland) hears a woman who has been buried alive screaming. 
Due to her mental history, Laura's family refuse to believe her, and use this as an opportunity to declare her insane and take control of her money. 


Terrorised by the sound of the screaming woman, Laura is determined to rescue her and prove to herself and those around her she is not insane.




Watch the film on YouTube:

Did you know...

• As of July 2012, this was the last time John William's composed a music score for a TV movie

Closing remarks

Average television film production of the 1970s with suspenseful musical score.
Olivia de Havilland gives a chilling performance, and single handedly carries the film. Although very mild when compared to horror films of today, 'The Screaming Woman' terrorised television viewers when it was first shown in 1972.

Freaks (1932) - Spotlight on... Trailblazers

Some of the "freaks" from the film

'Freaks' is a 1932 pre-code horror film directed and produced by Tod Browning. It is loosely based on Tod Robbins' 1923 short story 'Spurs', about a midget who falls in love with a full grown woman.

'Freaks' is a very unusual and unique cinema experience. Rather than using costume, make up and other special effects, Browning cast real people with deformities to play the "circus freaks.

Stirring controversy on its initial release, it sadly destroyed the brilliant directing career of Browning overnight. Fortunately in recent years the film has received the praise and acclaim it deserves.

Watch a trailer for this film:

The Siamese twins

'Freaks' is the love story of two dwarfed circus performers, Hans (played by Harry Earles) and Frieda (played by Daisy Earles)... well almost. Frida is in love with Hans, but Hans is in love with the "normal" Cleopatra (played by Olga Baclanova). Cleopatra is not genuinely in Hans, however conspires with her lover Hercules to marry and murder Hans in order to collect his inheritance.


In ancient times, deformity was considered to be evil, with families bearing deformed children believing they were cursed. This belief is a result of conditioning of their ancestors. Browning challenges this belief and presents a new paradigm. In this film it is the deformd "Freaks" who are the heroes of the film, with two "normal" members of the circus, who are the villains. Browning has also empowered Hans to be more intelligent than he looks. This is evident in the scene where Hans spits out the "medicine" (really poison) Cleopatra gives him.

Controversy

Hans & Frida

The release of 'Freaks' was a very controversial event which shocked and horrified movie goers. One woman even threatened to sue MGM, claiming the film had caused her a miscarriage. Due to the overwhelmingly negative reaction, the film was edited down from 90 minutes to 64 minutes.
The film was even banned in the UK for 30 years. Despite this controversy, in 1994, 'Freaks' was selected for preservation by the United States National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". It is also considered to be a cult classic, with regular midnight movie screenings since the 1970s.

Did you know...

• Myrna Loy was initially intended to star as Cleopatra, with Jean Harlow as Venus, however MGM decided to not cast any of their major stars in this controversial film

Closing remarks

The human torso lights his cigarette using his mouth

Despite it being a truly bizarre and confronting experience, I like this film a lot, and have seen it several times.  Without giving too much away, I really like the way in which the deformed "freaks" use their disadvantages to their advantages by hiding in narrow nooks and crannies to protect a beloved friend and save the day. Another highlight for me is seeing the Human Torso (played by Prince Randian) light a match and cigarrette using only his mouth. A truly inspirational moment!

Mark of the Vampire - Director birthday... Tod Browning

Director birthday... Tod Browning

Tod Browning was born on 12 July 1880 in Louisville, Kentucky. 
Having worked in both the silent and talking film era, Browning is best known for the horror films he directed in the 1930s, such as 'Dracula' (1931) and the controversial 'Freaks' (1932).


The controversy surrounding 'Freaks' caused the film to be a commercial failure, and as a result destroyed Browning's career, allowing him to make only 4 more films. Browning died on 6 October 1962 at age 82.

Recommended viewing

• The Unknown (1927)
• Dracula (1931)
• Freaks (1932)
• Mark of the Vampire (1935)
• The Devil Doll (1936)
• Miracles for Sale (1939)

Mark of the Vampire (1935)

"This vampire business, it has given me a great idea for a new act. Luna, in this new act I will be the vampire. Did you watch me? I gave all of me. I was greater than any real vampire." - Bela Lugosi (as Count Mora)


'Mark of the Vampire' is an intriguing 1935 horror mystery (with a very surprising ending) directed by Tod Browning, and starring Lionel Barrymore, Bela Lugosi, Elizabeth Allan, Lionel Atwill, Jean Hersholt and Donald Meek.




After Sir. Karell Borotyn (played by Holmes Herbert) is found dead, drained of blood with two punctures on his neck, Dr. Doskil (played by Meek) concludes he has been touched with the mark of the vampire, setting the town into a panic. Matters are made worse with reports of bats flying around at night. Borotyn's friend Baron Otto (played by Hersholt) is convinced the gothic Count Mora (played by Lugosi) and his daughter Luna (played by Carroll Borland) are responsible. When it is feared Borotyn's daughter Irena (played by Allan) could be the next victim, vampire expert Professor Zelen (played by Barrymoore) is sent to investigate and protect Irena. Add to this skeptical Police Inspector Neumann (played by Atwill) and we have all the elements to make a classic 1930s vampire film.




Watch the trailer featuring specially filmed footage of Bela Lugosi:

Scenes cut and lost forever

'Mark of the Vampire' originally ran for 75-80 minutes, however a number of scenes were required to be cut in order for the film to meet censorship standards. Sadly the missing scenes have been lost.
A number of the actors appearing in the deleted scenes are still listed in the final credits but are not seen in the film. Although the audio commentary on the DVD of the film refers to a number of comic scenes which were removed, it is rumoured some of the deleted scenes alluded to an incestuous relationship Count Mora was having with this daughter Luna, and Count Mora's eventual suicide. A bullet wound can be seen on Count Mora's temple.   

Did you know...

• The film was originally titled "Vampires from Prague"
• This film is a remake of  Tod Browning's 1927 silent film "London After Midnight" - a few details have been changed
• Large South American bats were imported for the film
• The film was banned in Sweden by the Swedish Censorship Board

Closing remarks

Although considered to be very tame for today's standards, the film was quite horrific during the 1930s. This is a horror film for the entire family - the movie poster and trailer are scarier than the film itself.
 Despite only having one line at the end of the film, Bela Lugosi's spoofing himself as Dracula is a lot of fun. I quite like this film, and although it's not that scary, it tends to be something I watch each year as part of a Halloween movie marathon, particularly because it's very short (approx. 65 mins).