On This Day

The horror film "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?," based on the novel by Henry Farrell, directed by Robert Aldrich, and

The horror film "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?," based on the novel by Henry Farrell, directed by Robert Aldrich, and starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, is released

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is a 1962 American psychological horror thriller film directed and produced by Robert Aldrich, and starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, and featuring Victor Buono in his major film debut. The screenplay, adapted by Lukas Heller from the novel of the same name by Henry Farrell, follows an aging former child star tormenting her paraplegic sister, also a former film star, in a dilapidated Hollywood mansion.

The film was shot in Los Angeles in the summer of 1962 on a budget of approximately $1 million. The production was noted for rumors of on-set feuds between Davis and Crawford, though the actresses would later deny this. Distributed by Warner Bros.

Historical Significance

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is a 1962 American psychological horror thriller film directed and produced by Robert Aldrich, and starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, and featuring Victor Buono in his major film debut.

Key People

Bette Davis

actress

American actress

Joan Crawford

Actor

Events Before

  1. Gabrielle Carteris is born

    Gabrielle Carteris is born

  2. Longest recorded strike ends as Danish barbers' assistants end their 33-year strike

    Longest recorded strike ends as Danish barbers' assistants end their 33-year strike

  3. Berry Gordy signs The Supremes to Motown Records

    The Supremes were an American girl group formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959 as the Primettes.

  4. First live, nationally televised presidential news conference, held by JFK

    First live, nationally televised presidential news conference, held by JFK

  5. "I Fall to Pieces" single released by Patsy Cline (Billboard Song of the Year 1961)

    "I Fall to Pieces" is a song written by Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard that was originally recorded by Patsy Cline.

Events After

  1. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech

    Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, calling for an end to racism in the United States.

  2. David Cone is born

    David Cone athlete, known for american baseball player and analyst, was born on 1963-01-02.

  3. American banker George Woods succeeds Eugene Black as president of the World Bank

    George David Woods (July 27, 1901 – August 20, 1982) was an American investment banker and financier. He served as the fourth President of the World Bank, from January 1963 until March 1968.

  4. Beatles release the single "Please Please Me" / "Ask Me Why"; peaks at #2 in UK, and #3 in US

    Introducing... The Beatles is the first studio album released by the English rock band the Beatles in the United States.

  5. Los Angeles night club and music venue The Whiskey A-Go-Go opens (inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2006)

    The Yardbirds are an English rock band formed in London in 1963. The band started the careers of three of rock's most famous guitarists: Eric Clapton (1963–1965), Jeff Beck (1965–1966) and Jimmy Page...

More from the 1960s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 31, 1962?
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is a 1962 American psychological horror thriller film directed and produced by Robert Aldrich, and starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, and featuring Victor Buono in his major film debut. The screenplay, adapted by Lukas Heller from the novel of the same name by Henry Farrell, follows an aging former child star tormenting her paraplegic sister, also a former film star, in a dilapidated Hollywood mansion. The film was shot in Los Angeles in the summer of 1962 on a budget of approximately $1 million.
Why is The horror film "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?," based on the novel by Hen... significant?
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is a 1962 American psychological horror thriller film directed and produced by Robert Aldrich, and starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, and featuring Victor Buono in his major film debut.
Who was involved in The horror film "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?," based on the novel by Hen...?
Key figures include Bette Davis (actress), Joan Crawford (Actor).

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