MINI REVIEW:
HUSH HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE (1964)
DIRECT BY: ROBERT ALDRICH
STARRING: BETTE DAVIS, AGNES MOOREHEAD, JOSEPH COTTON and OLIVIA DEHAVILLAND

I've often seen this movie grouped in and compared with Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?, but I find it superior in almost every way. While the performances in 'Baby Jane' are noteworthy (Victor Buono underplays his character wonderfully), I find them a painfully over the top, for the most part. In this film, the acting by DeHavilland, Cotton and Davis is also memorable, principally from Davis who provides a layered performance as the half-crazed Charlotte while still retaining an air of poise. Cotton is a surprising scene stealer with his drunken drawl and DeHavilland's sinister grace is so unlike most of her films that we can't help but be impressed. The direction by Aldrich is on par w/ the crisp black and white style of 'Baby Jane' but it favors this lazy Southern landscape and comes off as even more atmospheric, almost regal. The grislier scenes are unique and suspenseful where they could have been formulaic and dull. For those reasons, I give this a nod and an easy:

8/10