Olivia vs. Joan (and a multitude of other things)

Bonjour!

I've got, as the title says, a multitude of different things to talk about today, so we'd better get started. You're forewarned: this blog may get a little long.

The first thing I guess is today is July 31st, or AKA, the last day of July. Making tomorrow the first of August, and that marks six days away from the All Time Exciting Event: (drumroll please) LUCILLE BALL'S 100TH BIRTHDAY!

As you can tell, I'm super-excited.

So, starting tomorrow, I am going to begin Six Days of Blogging for Lucy. That's exactly what it sounds like: On the 1-6, I will be blogging solely about Lucille Ball, and any topics related to her. I mean, it's Lucy, so I have tons of material and promise to keep you all entertained. Plus, a few specials from Frankly My Dear TV. This is, of course, also in addition to the Loving Lucy Blogathon that I have joined.

Next, since today is the last day of July (which I already said, of course) I thought I'd do a little, "My Month in Old Hollywood Film" tidbit. Basically the highlights of what I've watched over the month - or anything relating to classic film, excreta.

So here is my Big 10:

• I start my classic film blog, and call it "Frankly, My Dear."
• I start "Frankly My Dear TV" on Youtube. The first video goes up on July 20th as a tribute video for Natalie Wood's birthday. I have now reached 100+ views, and have gotten 3 likes and 1 dislike (obviously from a person who's got problems in their life... lol).
• I get four new Old Hollywood related books. See them here.
• I watch the epic "Gone With the Wind" (1938) all over again, over the course of two days, in the big movie theater in our basement.
• Films of note - "The Big Sleep" (1946) (yes, believe it or not, I hadn't seen it yet and it confused the bloody L out of me!), "Sex and the Single Girl" (1964), so to chalk up another point in my Natalie Wood movies, "Mogambo" (1953) - everyone said it was going to be bad, but I actually rather enjoyed myself. Of course, I have yet to see the original, "Red Dust," so we'll see what happens after that.
• Best Movie of the Month: "Gone With the Wind" ~ revisited, but still. Still 5/5 Still amazing when they burn Atlanta down. ;)
• Worst Movie of the Month: "Bombers B-52" (1957) with Natalie Wood and Karl Malden. Bought it on pay-per-view to chalk up another Natalie movie, but it turned out to be a man's movie with airplanes and little to no romance, really.. then landed up fast forwarding through the whole thing. So :(
• I got my friend to watch "West Side Story" (1961) and "What ever Happened to Baby Jane?" I think she enjoyed herself, especially with WHTBJ? and they're old movies, so yay :)
• Actresses that most sparked my interest in this month were: Bette Davis, Ava Gardner (especially because of "Mogambo"), Olivia de Havilland.
• Actors that most sparked my interest: Gregory Peck.

***

So, I will also be bringing some new rules to the polling game. I'm going to allow a longer period of time for people to vote in the poll - at least a full week, so we can get more results. The results of the first poll were good with nine votes, but in the past two polls, we have been fading. 

This week's results were: One point for Olivia de Havilland, one point for Undecided, and zero points for poor old Joan Fontaine!

Anyway, as promised here is your "Olivia vs. Joan" Blog.

For starters, who's side am I on? I am Team Olivia. Especially with the amount of interest her movies sparked in me this month - not to mention I watched two films of hers - I am quickly starting to like Olivia more and more. In all fairness to Joan, I have not seen that many of her movies. But I still like Olivia better. ;)

OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND

"The Big Sister"

born July 1st, 1916, in Toyko, Japan (hey, she's got the same birthday as Princess Diana! Well, not the same year. But STILL.)

JOAN FONTAINE

"The Little Sister"

born October 22nd, 1917, in Tokyo, Japan

Sibling Rivalry

The fact was that little Olivia and Joan as kids had never really liked each other. When Olivia was nine, she made up a will and the legend goes that she bequeathed a very special gift to sister Joan: her beauty, for "since she has none." (I laugh a little at this, because I'm thinking of Olivia as Melanie in "Gone with the Wind" as I write this). Another rumor claims that Olivia used to rip up Joan's hand me downs so Joan would be forced to sew them back together for herself. (Uhm, seriously??)

Of course, Hollywood didn't help. You can imagine how the animosity between the two of them grew when they were both nominated for an Oscar in 1941 - Olivia for "Hold Back the Dawn" and Joan for "Suspicion." (What was the Academy thinking??!!) Matters got a lot worse when Joan won for "Suspicion." That did it.

Apparently at the ceremony, Olivia extended a hand to Joan to congratulate her. In return, Joan ignored her and turned to the next person as she flaunted her Oscar.  Another story claims that it was the other way around. I guess it's a matter of dispute - but in all fairness, Olivia went on to win two Oscars of her own... one more golden man than Joan.

Still, they weren't totally estranged from each other until the 1970's. It is said that their mother always favored Olivia, and forced Joan into making up her own surname when she decided to venture into Hollywood herself (Olivia, however, became an actress first - using their own last name). Joan claimed in a 1979 interview that Olivia wanted their 88 year old mother to be operated on, a the time in which she was dying, and Joan became so annoyed she stopped speaking to her. (??) Apparently, Olivia also neglected to inform her about a memorial service for their mother, and also "didn't call her" when their mother had first passed away.

It's hard to imagine Olivia being the mean one since she always had that "sweet face." Of course, a lot of this is hearsay. who knows? Maybe it's a publicity stunt (but how boring would that be?) from way back when. it also depends who's side you choose, and then what stories you believe.

Of course, we're lucky to still have both Olivia and Joan with us - one of the few leading ladies from Old Hollywood left. They're both in their 90's, but they still haven't patched things up. Last September, the president of France honored citizen Olivia (who has been living their since the 1950's), and Joan refused to attend the ceremony.

(Wow - they must have good genes!) Anyway, I think they should clean things up between the two of them! That's just my opinion. And it's pretty easy for me to say, because I don't have a sister - or a sibling at all. ;)

I hear a biography about their sibling rivalry comes out next year, so I'll be excited to read that and learn more about it.

That's all for now - and don't forget, blogging for Lucy starts tomorrow.

Ciao!

"Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" vs. "Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte"

Hi there!

For starters, I'd like to say I have been proudly inducted into the "Loving Lucy Blogathon" (hosted by True Classics at trueclassics.wordpress.com), a la the banner on my sidebar which proudly declares it! This is my very first Blogothan and I'm terribly excited ;) If you Blog, you must join! And don't forget to click the banner and see the links of the other brilliant Blogs who have joined in on the Lucy loving fun!

Now that that's been said, let's get down to business... today's blog will be my first "contrasting" or "vs." blog. If you've visited my "Favorite Movies and Tv Shows" page, you've likely noticed #7 on my Movie List: "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" I simply adore that black comedy. I watched it earlier this summer and I couldn't get enough of it, so I rented a supposedly similar film, "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte."

Since the movies are quiet similar in many ways, I thought it would make a fun Blog to contrast the two, all the while giving you my "review" of them. Sort of. I'm going to try to avoid spoilers, but if I feel one coming on, don't worry - I'll capitalize it and have it in some big, blaring letters.

Films:

"Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" (1962)                 

 "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte"  (1964)

Stars:

"Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?"

Bette Davis as "Baby Jane" or "Jane Hudson"       

Joan Crawford as "Blanche Hudson"

Victor Buono as "Edward Flag"

Maidie Norman as "Elvia Stitt"

   "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte"

         Bette Davis as "Sweet Charlotte" or "Charlotte Hollis"

       Olivia de Havilland as "Miriam Deering"

      Joseph Cotton as "Dr. Drew Bayliss"

         Agnes Moorehead as "Velma Cruther"

         Mary Astor as "Jewel Mayhew"

        Victor Buono as "Sam Hollis"

US Release Dates:
"Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" :
October 31st, 1962
"Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte":
December 24th, 1964

(how's that for interesting release dates???!!!!)

Plots

"Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" (1962)

 Baby Jane Hudson - once a child vaudeville star, she is now washed up and alcoholic. Her sister, Blanche Hudson (Crawford) was a big time movie star in the 1930's, but became crippled in a car accident that many blame on her sister. Now, the two share a rotting LA mansion in which Blanche is dependent upon her crazy sister, who is not very happy with the way things turned out - and plans to settle this jealous score.   

"Hush, Hush... Sweet Charlotte" (1964)

Sweet Charlotte Hollis is an aging Southern belle who lost her lover years ago in an chopping incident forty years ago that many blame on her. However, there wasn't enough evidence, so she walked. When State of  Louisiana threatens to run her rotting Southern mansion over, Charlotte calls upon her only "living kin", cousin Miriam to help her... but Miriam, along with old flame Dr. Drew, having something else in mind.

Posters

Watch a Clip

"Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?"

"Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte"
(be forewarned: the chopping scenes towards the end are a little gruesome. Nothing like today's stuff, but still, if you are squeamish, skip the ending!)

Baby Jane Hudson (Bette Davis) vs. Sweet Charlotte Hollis (Bette Davis)

So, in "WTHBJ?" we have Baby Jane Hudson - a washed up vaudeville star who is now forced to take care of her crippled sister, Blanche (a former 1930's movie queen). Let's take a look:

And on the other hand, there's Sweet Charlotte Hollis. Driven crazy by the rumor that she murdered her lover after her called the affair off, she is now a weary and worn Southern belle who lives with her gangly maid, Velma. Let's take a look at her:

For starters, I was disappointed at the lack of character depth in Sweet Charlotte. In many ways, she is a (less hostile) version of Baby Jane, except with longer hair, less makeup, and a Southern accent. You'll feel sorry for Charlotte, too, especially as the opening credits run through, but her character is just not as likeable (er! Did I call Baby Jane likeable?) as Baby Jane. I also think Bette Davis had a better performance as the latter. Even though she had tons of opportunities  to ham it up as Sweet Charlotte (and you know that's what Bette loves to do!), Baby Jane was just a better role for her. Baby Jane is simply funnier and more awesome. So, for this round, Bette Davis as Baby Jane wins. Sorry, Sweet Charlotte... hush, hush!

Blanche Hudson (Joan Crawford) vs. Miriam Deering (Olivia de Havilland)

From "WTHBJ?" there is Miss Joan Crawford as Blanche Hudson, who was a big movie star in the 1930's but after becoming crippled in an accident that most blame on her sister, Jane, is dependent upon the latter and living in a rotting LA mansion. Shall we take a look?

Next in the ring we have a Ms. Miriam Deering, played by Olivia de Havilland, the scheming cousin of the supposedly crazy Charlotte Hollis. Let's get a look here!

Oh, yes, there she is! Now, at first glance, you would think that Blanche and Miriam are in the same boat in both movies - being terrorized by a physco Bette Davis. There are some tables being turned, so I won't give anything away... but keep that in mind as I contrast Blanche and Miriam. Both of these girls try to be dainty and delicate to set themselves apart greatly from the crazy Bette character. Blanche will pull at you, but she seems very defenseless and weak in times where she could have helped herself escape from her ordeal. Miriam's character doesn't get the depth we so crave for it until the end, but when it does, you'll be satisfied. I'll leave it at here because I don't want to give too much away! For this round, HHSC gets a point: the winner is Olivia de Havilland as Miriam.

Elvira Stitt (Maidie Norman) vs. Velma Cruther (Agnes Moorehead)

In "WHTBJ?" we've got Maidie Norman as Elvira Stitt, the faithful companion of Blanche Hudson.

There she is, at Blanche's bedside! Now, from "HHSC" we've got the darling Agnes Moorehead (AKA - Endora from "Bewitched"!) playing a role far from Endora as the Southern maid to Charlotte, Velma Cutler. 

There we go! Now, Elvira and Velma are both very supportive of their distressed employers. They both ** SPOILER ** ** SPOILER ** DON'T GO ANY FARTHER IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN BOTH FILMS ** INSTEAD SCROLL DOWN TO THE NEXT PARAGRAPH ** save their employer's lives at a certain point, get fired by the malicious torturer, all while suffering from the same fate: death, after trying to save their employer.

Okay, sorry, I just had to throw that Spoiler in there for those of us who have seen it! Now, continuing on while comparing the two - both are pretty similar in many ways. I adore Agnes Moorehead, but I have to give this one to Maidie for her role as Elvira. The actual character of Elvira was more heroic than Velma, and the whole situation with Baby Jane and Elvira funnier. So, this one was cut close, but I'll have to mark up another point for "WHTBJ?"  - Maidie Norman as Elvira Stitt wins this round.

The "creepy songs": 

"I've Written a Letter To Daddy" vs. "Chop, Chop Sweet Charlotte"

Here is "I've Written a Letter to Daddy":

And "Chop, Chop, Sweet Charlotte":

The winner for this one is easy. It's got to be "I've Written a Letter to Daddy" from WHTBJ?. "Chop, Chop Sweet Charlotte" is awesome, too - but after we hear it run through in the opening credits, it mostly dissapears from the movie, whereas the ever-catchy "I"ve Written a Letter to Daddy" strings itself through all the way of WHTBJ?

The title songs:

"Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" vs. "Hush...Hush Sweet Charlotte"

There is the 60's style pop song, "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?"...

And the country song "Hush... Hush Sweet Charlotte" for HHSC:

This one is also easier for me. besides the fact that I'm not the biggest fan of country music, the title song from WHTBJ? is more fun and exciting, not to mention kind of hilarious! The winner is "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" (song).

Now, it's time for the final round: "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" (movie) vs. "Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte" (movie)

So, in the past rounds, WHTBJ? chalked up four points for: Baby Jane Hudson by Bette Davis, Elvira by Maidie Norman, I've Written a Letter to Daddy, and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (song). In the next ring, there is HHSC, which earned one for: Miriam Deering by Olivia de Havilland. As you can see, HHSC didn't do that well. In my opinion, "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" is the winner and easily the better movie. I give it 5 stars and only give HHSC 3. It's true, that HHSC does have more star power - you have Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotten, Agnes Moorehead, and Mary Astor (in her final film role) all in one film! But still, WHTBJ? is just the better movie. If you had to watch one or the other, easily pick WHTBJ?. However, it may be fun to rent both of the movies and contrast them yourself.

I'd like to end this very long post (I'm sorry it was so lengthy, lol!) with this awesome publicity shot. This was when Joan Crawford was supposed to be playing Miriam (I love Olivia - but it may have been interesting to see Joan in the role, so she can finally get her revenge! haha... Joan was dropped after checking into a hospital and delaying filming. Rumor has it she left because she couldn't stand working with Bette anymore). Aren't they sweet?

:) Thanks for reading! (And, of course - I don't own any of these clips or photos, and many thanks to the uploaders)