1964 American Feature
Cast: Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotten, Agnes Moorehead, Cecil Kellaway, Victor Buono, Mary Astor, Wesley Addy, William Campbell and Bruce Dern
Director: Robert Aldrich
Writer: Henry Farrell and Lukas Heller, based on the short story What Ever Happened to Cousin Charlotte? by Henry Farrell
Synopsis:
An aging, reclusive southern belle, plagued by a horrifying family secret, descends into madness after the arrival of a long lost relative.
Links:
Ratings:
- Internet Movie Database: 7.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes - Critics: 85% / Audience: 82%
- OMG rating: 8/10
Buy/Rent:
Trailer:
Awards:
- Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress (Moorehead), Cinematography - Black and White, Art Direction - Black and White, Costume Design - Black and White, Score - Substantially Original, Original Song ("Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte") and Film Editing.
- Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress (Moorehead).
Notes/Trivia:
- Henry Farrell's short story What Ever Happened to Cousin Charlotte? was unpublished at the time he and Lukas Heller adapted it into this film.
- Following the unexpected box-office success of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, director Robert Aldrich wanted to reunite stars Joan Crawford and Bette Davis in Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte. However, after Crawford worked less than two weeks on the film, she quit, claiming she was ill (reportedly Crawford later told a friend, "I'm not sick. I just couldn't stand working another minute with that Bette Davis"). Olivia de Havilland replaced her in the role of Miriam.
- Actress Mary Astor's final film.
- A film version of the stage spoof Hush Up, Sweet Charlotte is currently in pre-production. Written and directed by Billy Clift (who also directed the What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? parody Baby Jane?), the film will star Matthew Martin as Charlotte, Varla Jean Merman as Miriam and Mink Stole as Velma.
OMG Movie #413
Rate Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte below and add your own reviews in the comments section.