What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Page #2

That all happened

a very long time ago, dear.

Maybe you shouldn't pay much attention

to everything Julie Fowler says.

There's too many people here

with nothing else to do but talk.

Maybe so, but Julie's folks

have lived here a long time.

I guess she should know.

Turn up the volume, dear.

We're missing the picture.

- Will you have a little champagne?

- No, thank you.

You wanna tell poppa your troubles?

Somebody you love?

Jack, please try to understand.

I married you because...

I was knocked silly and it was a refuge.

I found out tonight that

this boy's in trouble, maybe alone.

And it's blinding me.

I can't think of anything else.

He should've held that shot longer.

I told him that when we were rehearsing,

also when we shot it.

But he wouldn't listen.

- How are you?

- Swell.

It's still a pretty good picture.

... and Gemini.

Tommy, you don't have to say anything.

I'll just sit here.

Enjoying yourself?

Jane, what are you doing? I was...

I was watching.

Then you're an idiot.

I won't have you speak to me like that.

Poor thing.

Poor baby.

Quiet down.

Good morning, Miss Hudson.

I hope I'm not intruding.

I just couldn't resist cutting these flowers

for your sister...

after seeing her show yesterday.

You must be very proud

of her new success...

on television, I mean.

I can't tell you how nice it is...

to be seeing

all of her old pictures like this.

I'll tell her you said so.

You know, my daughter and I

would just love to meet her one day.

- Perhaps she could...

- Mrs. Bates, my sister doesn't ever go out.

She's not fit to receive visitors.

I am sorry to hear that.

I'd no idea that...

Well, I hope she likes the flowers.

Thanks.

You miserable...

Jane, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to ring for my breakfast.

I was just wondering who

all those people were at the back door.

Wasn't anything.

Just that nosy Mrs. Bates

going on about your picture last night.

Really? Did she like it?

She liked it.

I remember when it first came out,

it had a tremendous reception.

The critics described it as brilliant.

Do you remember

what year you made that picture?

But of course.

You must, too.

In 1934, right after I did Moonglow.

I made a picture that year, too.

Oh, yes, it was that comedy

directed by Lloyd, wasn't it?

No, it wasn't. It was a love story.

The Longest Night.

Marty McDonald said

it was the best thing I ever did.

They never even released it

in the United States.

Golden was very upset.

He told me the company had

a very bad year and they couldn't afford...

No, they didn't. They had a great year.

They didn't want to show my film.

They were too busy giving a big build-up

to that crap you were turning out.

I'll clean the cage.

That would be Elvira.

Come in, Elvira.

- How are you today?

- Fine.

You've seen Jane.

I don't think she's feeling very well today.

Did you speak to that Dr. Shelby

about Miss Jane like you said?

No, I haven't yet. It's rather difficult.

I don't want to upset her again

if I can help it.

But she'll be upset anyway, Miss Blanche.

And the longer you leave it,

the worse it's gonna be.

I know.

But I was just hoping

it wouldn't be necessary.

I think she seems much better lately.

It's none of my business...

but she's been drinking again.

You know that, don't you?

No, I hadn't noticed.

I don't think it does her any real harm.

I think I understand her.

You do, huh?

Then you ought to take a look at this.

- What are these?

- I guess it's what you'd call fan mail.

How kind people are.

You better look at them...

and then you can tell me

whether or not you've seen them before.

- Did you read them?

- No.

- But they've been opened.

- That's right, they all have.

And there's one in here

marked "personal."

"The other night, my husband and I

watched that lovely old movie of yours:

"Last Honeymoon.

"I remember saying to my husband

at the time...

"that seeing you again

was just like meeting an old friend."

That's charming. That's really charming.

The point is you never saw them before,

did you?

- No.

- I thought not.

I'm sorry, I thought you ought to know.

But I don't understand.

Where'd they come from?

Where'd you find them?

In the trash barrel, that's where.

They're from that television station that's

been running your old movies, aren't they?

- You mean Jane...

- Who else?

She must have thought

they were advertisements.

Then why would she open

the one marked "personal"?

And what about this?

You might as well see this, too.

Writing those dirty words.

I can't even remember the last time

I saw words like that written down.

But why would she do a thing like this?

You know what makes her

do things like this.

She's sick,

and she's not getting any better.

In fact, the last month

she's been getting a lot worse.

If you don't believe me...

then why are you selling this house

and planning to move out?

You said this last month...

she's been a lot worse.

- Do you think she knows?

- About selling the house?

How could she?

You don't have anything in writing.

We're sisters, Elvira.

We know each other very well.

I think she's jealous...

because of those old movies of yours

they're showing on television this week.

Anyway, in six weeks

you'll have to hand over the house...

and then she'll have to know.

How do I tell her? How?

If you'd just speak to that Dr. Shelby,

maybe he could tell her.

No, it ought to be me.

I can't let a stranger tell her.

But he's a doctor, Miss Blanche.

And she's a sick woman.

Elvira, you didn't know her

when she was a child.

- When she was young.

- I've seen those pictures she keeps.

It wasn't that she was just pretty.

She was different. She was so alive.

I was cleaning the cage.

The bird got out.

But where is it now?

It flew out the window.

Did you let that bird out

on purpose, Miss Jane?

I just told you, I was cleaning the cage

and the bird flew out the window.

I'm sorry.

She did that on purpose.

Believe me, she did it on purpose.

Never mind.

Maybe he'll come back.

You won't change your mind, will you?

About coming to live with me?

You know I don't go back on my word,

Miss Blanche.

But you've got to make up your mind

about finding somewhere for Miss Jane...

where they can look after her properly.

I have.

I have made up my mind.

I'm going to call Dr. Shelby today.

I know, Miss Blanche.

It's just that I have to be sure

I'm doing the right thing for her.

Hello, is this Johnson's?

I want to order some liquor.

It's Jane Hudson.

What do you mean

you can't fill any more orders for me?

My sister did?

Wait a minute, I'll put her on.

Blanche, would you speak

to this man from Johnson's?

Hello. Who is this, please?

Oh, yes, Mr. Carlston.

Yes, this is Blanche Hudson.

What seems to be the trouble?

I'm afraid there's been

some misunderstanding.

I certainly didn't mean to suggest

that you shouldn't fill any orders for her.

After all, we do pay our bills, don't we?

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