We are in partnership with Dreamland Cinema for a very special screening of the 1962 cult horror film, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Set in an old Hollywood mansion, inhabited by Baby Jane Hudson (Bette Davis), former child star turned horror dame, and her paraplegic sister Blanche (Joan Crawford) whom she’s holding captive.
We are so excited about this and have some information on the original screening sent to us by Dreamland Cinema to get you in the mood.
In the early 1960s, Warner Bros sent packages of lobby cards to cinemas in order to advertise the upcoming release. These cards were typical of cinema-marketing at the time, usually depicting scenes from the film or headshots of its leading actors. The What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Cards were slightly different, however.
These cards came with instructions:
“Things you should know about this motion picture before buying a ticket:
If you’re long-standing fans of Miss Davis and Miss Crawford, we warn you this is quite unlike anything they’ve ever done.
You are urged to see it from the beginning.
Be prepared for the macabre and the terrifying.
We ask your pledge to keep the shocking climax a secret.
When the tension begins to build, try to remember it’s just a movie.”
With this original marketing campaign in mind, Dreamland Cinema suggest the following instructions for those of you planning to attend our October 8 screening of this classic.
Reacquaint yourself with the careers of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, specifically their heydays of the 1930s and 40s. For Joan, try Mildred Pierce and Grand Hotel, while All About Eve and Jezebel serve as a good introduction to Bette.
Stop washing your face for the foreseeable future. Just keep on slathering on that make-up and by the time October 8 is here, you’ll be Baby-Jane beautiful.
Start thinking up creative recipes. We hear parakeet and rat are the ingredients of the season.
Call your sister. Make amends for any wrong you’ve caused her. Then invite her along to the screening.
We will be showing What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? on Sunday 8 October at 5:30pm. A perfect way to end a weekend on or off campus.