IMDb user comments for
Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964)

advertisement

Filter:

Best Chronological Prolific Authors Loved It Hated It Hide Spoilers:

Page 1 of 10:

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

Index

96 comments in total

---

40 out of 58 people found the following comment useful :-
''Chop, Chop Sweet Charlotte!'', 11 agosto 2005

Author: phillindholm da Rohnert Park, CA

"Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte" was, as most people know, intended as a follow up (not a sequel) to the first and most influential "horror hag" film of them all, "Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?". Producer/director Robert Aldrich who had helmed "Jane" wanted to repeat that film's box office success. He re-teamed Bette Davis (as Charlotte) and Joan Crawford (as her cousin Miriam) but, in events that have become the stuff of Hollywood Legend, Crawford became "ill" and checked into the hospital and wouldn't come out. She was eventually replaced by Bette's long-standing friend, Olivia de Havilland, fresh from "Lady in a Cage" (1964).

Although many find the plot somewhat convoluted, it is basically rather simple. Aging southern belle Charlotte Hollis lives in decayed splendor in the Louisiana mansion where, thirty seven years earlier, a horrible murder took place. The victim was none other than her married lover John Mayhew (Bruce Dern, in an early screen appearance) whom Charlotte fears was killed by her overbearing father (Victor Buono) who was against their affair. Over the years, however, the local townspeople have concluded that Charlotte herself was responsible, but escaped punishment due to her father's political connections. As it happens, the highway commission is planning on building a bridge where Charlotte's house stands, and are tirelessly trying to remove her from the property. She is just as doggedly determined to remain, because she fears demolition of the house will reveal proof of her father's guilt. Charlotte's only companions are her old, white trash housekeeper, Velma Crother (Agnes Moorehead) and the family doctor, Drew Bayliss (Joseph Cotten). Charlotte's attempts to hold off the sheriff are finally beginning to weaken, so, in a last attempt to hold onto the old plantation, she sends for her Cousin Miriam Deering, hoping she can help. Miriam does, eventually arrive, but it's soon obvious that she is there for reasons other than to comfort and aid her cousin.

The film is well photographed in eminently suitable black and white, and the haunting musical score by an Oscar-nominated Frank DeVol (as well as the beautiful nominated title song) aid it immeasurably. The performances are what makes the movie so much fun. Bette Davis, as usual, goes all out as the tormented cousin, moaning, whining simpering and,especially shrieking her way through her part. In contrast, the still very attractive de Havilland is, at first, a model of restraint. Matching Davis in the histrionics department is Moorehead (who was also Oscar-nominated for her performance) as she carries on, sometimes so hilariously, it's difficult to understand what she is saying. (Oh well, that's what DVD subtitles are for!) At the same time, she can be moving as well. Cotten gets to do his own (relatively restrained) scenery-chewing , but the scenes in which Davis, de Havilland and Moorehead scream at each other in very thick southern accents could be right out of the old "Mama's Family" TV series. As Jewel Mayhew, widow of Bette's lover, Mary Astor gives her usual excellent performance, so subdued and realistic, that she seems to be in a different film. Ditto Cecil Kellaway as a curious insurance investigator. In the end, though, it's all the overplaying and gaudy scene stealing which makes "Charlotte" so much fun. A remake would be not only redundant, but a mistake. "Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte" is truly one of a kind. The just-released Fox DVD includes a great widescreen transfer of the film, an audio commentary, and, best of all, a trailer, teaser trailer and three television spots, which emphasize the movie's lurid aspects--what else could you want? GET IT NOW!

---

36 out of 53 people found the following comment useful :-
Southern Discomfort, 26 settembre 2000
Author: BaronBl00d (baronbl00d@aol.com) da NC

Few films have the ability to show the decay of plantation life in the South better than Hush...Hush sweet Charlotte. The setting is a rural plantation home that in 1927 was the scene of a brutal murder where an unfaithful husband was beheaded and behanded. Next we fast forward to 1964 and see the effects of this crime on Charlotte Hollis..the young girl accused of the crime and bordering on mental instability. Bette Davis plays Charlotte and her performance is a tour-de-force as she plays a woman under stress with a zeal that would make any ham actor proud. Davis tops her baby Jane performance by not only creating a character with obvious problems, but also giving this character feeling, compassion, and an air of pity. The plot of the film involves Davis's descent into madness as she thinks she sees things..or really does. The rest of the cast is first-rate with Joseph Cotten playing the stereotypical Southern doctor with the over-pronounced inflection only Cotten could provide. Olivia De Havilland creates one of her better roles, and makes a superb wicked woman. The real treat to watch is Agnes Moorehead who plays a wise-cracking, crotchetey housekeeper. Rounding out the superb cast are a few nice performances from the ever affable Cecil Kellaway as one of the few humane people in the film, a nice cameo by Mary Astor, Bruce Dern and Victor Buono in flashback sequences. The movie tells a pretty inventive tale...but really is a showcase for great talent, good direction, wonderful atmosphere, and a rather perverse thematic underpinning. To use a well-worn cliche....they just don't make em like this anymore. Ain't it a shame!

---

27 out of 43 people found the following comment useful :-
A Fun, Frantic, Over-the-top Gothic Melodrama!, 10 novembre 1999

Author: djkent

Well, I loved Bette Davis' performances, as a rule. But I'm willing to bet that even NON fans of Davis would appreciate her tour in this particular movie. Following two years after "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?", "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte" is nevertheless four times the film of its more noted predecessor. The reasons for this are four=fold. The script, though occasionally unintentionally funny, is still crisper, more believable and contains a more satisfying ending. Next, Davis' is more balanced by the performances of DeHavilland, Cotton, a more mature Victor Buono, and the great Agnes Morehead. Thirdly, we have a better set and setting, more attuned to the genre. Finally, the cinematography is several notches better, in my opinion. Adding it all up, you have an exceptionally fine example of that unique genre, the gothic melodrama. In this movie, the genre is virtually defined! If asked to name an example to a "top twenty" or "top fifty" movie list, "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte" would definitely make the cut.

---

15 out of 21 people found the following comment useful :-
Up for 7 Oscars in 1964 Bette Davis is Charlotte Hollis, 18 ottobre 2007

Author: semioticz da United States

Charlotte Hollis (Bette Davis at 56yo), carries one of her heaviest roles as a wealthy unmarried Southerner who is socially outcast by neighbors of all ages--including children making scandalizing rhymes about her--because they believe she's responsible for the town's most notorious murder: that, of John Mayhew (Bruce Dern), her fiancé', 40 years ago. A haggardly faithful servant, Velma Cruther (Agnes Moorehead at 64yo) takes care of Charlotte since she's both so haunted by the ghost of Mayhew & so damned to reclusive isolation.

The Hollis plantation is Charlotte's home that's been the family's prior to the Civil War. Because a highway is being built, the Sheriff issues an eviction notice to Charlotte. Devastated by it, she digs in her heels & refuses to leave. The rumor that she's crazy seems confirmed when Charlotte takes her father's rifle, aims & shoots repeatedly at the workmen & foreman (George Kennedy) who approach the Hollis' property line; all the while screaming at the top of her lungs to get off of her land.

Charlotte sends for her only living relative, a mild-mannered cousin, Miriam Deering (Olivia de Havilland at 48yo), because she believes she needs her help & influence to keep the Hollis plantation. Instead of mounting a legal battle to save Charlotte's home, Miriam hires packers & orders Velma to assist her picking through the contents of Charlotte's home before Miriam fires Velma. Velma is a faithful servant to Miss Charlotte who sees straight through Miriam.

As Moorehead conveys Velma's suspicions & hatred of Miriam, undoubtedly her facial expressions & silent gestures earn her the 1965 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Velma's aware that after Charlotte, Miriam's the heir to the entire Hollis estate. Velma silently conveys that she knows stealing the Hollis estate is what motivates Miriam, while Miriam thickens the plot by summoning Dr. Drew Bayliss (Joseph Cotten) to 'treat' Charlotte & calm her righteously outraged behavior.

Charlotte seems to be going insane & out of control, having more frequent & horrendously morbid post-traumatic flashbacks of her long dead fiancé'; especially when Velma isn't in the house. After Dr. Bayliss repeatedly drugs Charlotte, he expresses to Miriam fears that Charlotte's on the brink of needing to be involuntarily institutionalized in an asylum for the insane.

Without giving any more of the plot away, it's safe to say that once again Olivia de Havilland convincingly portrays a woman who appears genteel & genuine on the surface, but whose backbone & heart hardens (as in Gone with the Wind & The Heiress). As the plot begins to thicken, Joseph Cotton becomes more of a supporting actor. Together, Cotton & de Havilland reveal the morbidity of emotional torture, greed & murder. Surprisingly, Bette Davis wasn't nominated the 11th time for an Oscar, although her performance is as classic as this psycho-thriller.

---

15 out of 24 people found the following comment useful :-
"I'm never going to suffer for you again. Not EVER.", 25 febbraio 2005

Author: iloveperth da United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Although some might say that the Joan/Bette backstory behind 'Charlotte' is a little more fascinating, I respectfully disagree. 'Charlotte' is one of my all time favorite movies. It's got a great cast and gives Olivia de Havilland her first taste at playing a real bitch (the car scene where Miriam (de Havilland) slaps Charlotte is fantastic!) It's hard for me to think that Joan Crawford was cast in the original role of Miriam, only because de Havilland brings such a refinement to the character. She's well-mannered, classy and eloquent, which makes it that much better when she finally snaps.

Agnes Moorehead is a hoot playing Velma, and while her whole character is a tad overexaggerated, the true caring she had for "Miss Charlotte" is nice to see. As always, Joseph Cotten is great as Dr. Drew Bayliss, and unlike his other roles, he doesn't underplay this one. I enjoy the chemistry between him and de Havilland in their scenes together, particularly in the one after Velma's death. The black and white cinematography is wonderful--giving the whole film a moody, creepy look.

The whole movie leans towards the category of "campy bitchfests", but what a fantastic campy bitchfest it is! 'Charlotte' is always labeled under horror, but the scene where Bruce Dern is murdered always makes me laugh. Compared to today's gore standards this one is the equivalent of a paper cut!

10/10. And personally, I found 'Charlotte' much more interesting than Baby Jane, which just rubbed me the wrong way (I think I spent a good half of that movie just staring at Joan Crawfords eyebrows.) Come on Fox! Get going on a DVD!

---

19 out of 32 people found the following comment useful :-
Exceeded my expectations!, 30 agosto 1999

Author: SashaYM da Auckland, New Zealand

It all begins in 1927 during a society party in Louisiana when Jewel Mayhew's (Mary Astor) husband has been found decapitated...the head is never recovered. There are suspects galore. Could it have been his mistress Charlotte? Could it have been his loveless wife, Jewel? Could it have been Charlotte's domineering father (Victor Buono)? Or could it have been the over-protective servant (Agnes Moorehead, in an Academy Award-nominated performance)? Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte is an engrossing film about the ruthless machinations of Miriam Deering (Olivia de Havilland) and her doctor lover (Joseph Cotten) as they try to push her cousin, the disturbed Charlotte (Bette Davis) over the edge in order to get Charlotte's inheritance. Blackmail and deceit abound in this psychological suspense drama which exceeded my expectations; much better than the cheap blood and gore that I thought it would be. Bette's performance was at times heart-breaking, sometimes humorous and mostly macabre. One of the better performances she gave towards the end of her career. Olivia de Havilland gave a chilling performance as a scheming, vicious vindicator of envy...a long cry from her roles as the good woman in such films as To Each His Own and In This Our Life. The film made me sit up and watch, some scary bits, some humour, some malevolent emotions. All very exciting. Very well executed. Very much worth watching when you're in the mood for something highly entertaining.

---

21 out of 36 people found the following comment useful :-
A Cast of Class!, 22 settembre 2004

Author: dougandwin da Adelaide Australia

Following soon after "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane", I originally thought that "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte" would be a letdown - far from it, in my opinion, much better due a great deal to the cast of great actors and actresses. Bette Davis was in her element in this role of Charlotte, while Olivia de Havilland in the role originally planned for Joan Crawford was superb, and was an inspired piece of accidental casting! Agnes Moorehead deserved her Academy nomination, while Mary Astor was a most welcome sight. Joseph Cotten normally seems very wooden in his parts, but does an excellent job here. The Black and White photography adds a great deal to the mood, and is far better than Colour would have been. The ending was very well planned and carried out, and you feel after the film ends there is something else that happened that the viewer never saw. Get it on Video - it is well worth the experience.

---

22 out of 40 people found the following comment useful :-
Great film but slightly flawed in the middle, 14 gennaio 2005

Author: Brandt Sponseller da New York City

John Mayhew (Bruce Dern), a married man, is having an affair with Charlotte Hollis (Bette Davis). When Charlotte's father, Sam (Victor Buono), a local bigwig (the town is even named after the family) finds out that John was planning on eloping with Charlotte, he demands that John tells Charlotte during a big party that he's breaking off their relationship. John ends up dead, and Charlotte is the likely suspect. Thirty-seven years later, Charlotte is still living as a recluse on her family's plantation, but now she is being forced to move, as a highway is going to be built across her property. Gradually, people come back into her life to ostensibly help her.

For at least the first 45 minutes to an hour or so into the film, Hush . . . Hush, Sweet Charlotte is a 10 out of 10. Unfortunately, given a 133-minute running time, director Robert Aldrich can't sustain the intensity for the length of the film, but Hush . . . Hush, Sweet Charlotte finishes as an 8 out of 10 for me.

Although there are some thriller and horror elements, both take up relatively little screen time. At that though, these elements are extremely effective. Some parts are surprisingly graphic for 1964--just enough to be a surprise and evoke the appropriate sense of shock. The best horror/thriller material in the film is in the haunted house vein, and for a time, we wonder if Hush . . . Hush, Sweet Charlotte is going to end up being a ghost story.

But the focus here is primarily on Charlotte and Miriam Deering (Olivia de Havilland) and their relationship to one another. Davis and de Havilland are both incredible in the film, and both go through a very wide range of emotions. Oddly, Agnes Moorehead (as Velma Cruther) was more recognized for her performance than the rest of the cast in terms of awards and nominations, with de Havilland receiving neither. Not that Moorehead wasn't good, but in my view, she wasn't the standout performance. However, that's just further fuel for my belief that the Academy Awards have little to do with rewarding the best films, actors and filmmakers.

There are also broader themes explored as a subtext, including the changing way of life in the southern United States between the early and mid-20th Century.

I subtracted two points because the film lost a bit of its momentum and direction in the middle, but the last half-hour is as exciting as the beginning.

---

13 out of 25 people found the following comment useful :-
Memorable Characters, Song, 7 ottobre 2006

Author: ccthemovieman-1 da Lockport, NY, United States

It's tough to beat this for a good, deep cast: Bette Davsi, Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotten, Agnes Moorhead, Cecil Kellaway, Victor Buono, Mary Astor and Bruce Dern.

My favorite character in here was played by Moorhead. She was excellent as the eccentric (but very perceptive) housekeeper. I wish Kellaway's role had been bigger. It was interesting, too, to see such a young Dern. Davis looked really grotesque, but that was the idea. Kudos for her to not care about her looks.

Speaking of looks, the best feature in here might have been the cinematography. I have not seen this on DVD but I'd like to and wonder if it looks tremendous. It sure looked good on VHS. And that theme song! It is played throughout the movie and once you hear it, as I first did in the theater over 40 years ago, you never forget it.

My lone complaint is the length of the film. At 133 minutes, I think it would have been a lot tighter and better at about 110. However, even though there were definite lulls in the story, they were never that long in length.

---

3 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
An atmospheric horror film, ahead of its time., 12 gennaio 2007

Author: fedor8 (fedor8@yahoo.com) da Serbia

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Well-made mystery horror, with Davis and Moorehead particularly good. De Havilland at first seems to also be carrying her role very well, but that changes once we find out that she is "involved". In retrospect, it becomes clear that her performance up to that point is inconsistent and makes little sense; it's as though she was playing for the camera - to fool the audience. Her reactions and facial expressions only change once the audience finds out about her; this is unacceptable. (However, this is probably the director's fault.) The beginning serves to confuse, but gradually things become clearer, and then all becomes revealed at the end. Quite long, but the film manages to stay interesting and unpredictable.

---

---

Page 1 of 10:

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

Add another comment

---

Related Links

Plot summary	Recensione Amazon.com	Voti
Premi	External reviews	Parents Guide
Plot keywords	Dettagli principali	Your user comments
Your vote history