What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

Directed by Robert Aldrich

USA, 1962

Cornerhouse, 18 December 2012

Hollywood does Grand Guignol.

That would be one way of conveying the rancid atmosphere permeating every aspect of this extraordinary film.

It’s a story of two sisters, one a former child star and the other an actress from Hollywood’s Golden Age.  They live apart from the world, bound together by an ardent hate, a toxic love.  How does this manifest itself?  Well, there is horror and grotesque spectacle, especially when it comes to Bette Davis’s old woman masquerading as a spoilt little girl.  There’s jet black comedy and sadistic playfulness, the director involving the viewer in the sisters’ cruel games.  And there is the odd piece of kinkiness, not least in the vision of Joan Crawford bound and gagged.

One of those films that may have inspired Kenneth Anger to write Hollywood Babylon, and certainly a story he’d love to have unearthed.

Simply Barbra

Simply Barbra
By Steven Brinberg
The Lowry, 3 July 2011

If you are a Barbra Streisand fan, you’ll want to see this affectionate tribute to the great lady.

You’ll enjoy hearing a bountiful bouquet of beautiful songs, some of Barbra’s best, together with the odd cameo appearance by Eartha Kitt and Bette Davis.

There is catty, witty banter to smooth the wheels along between songs, make sure it all proceeds at a slick pace.  Somehow, the focus always remains on the music even though the comedy makes it teeter precariously at times.  Maybe it is because Steven Brinberg gives us a playful pastiche of Barbra Streisand, rather than a cruel parody: that’s probably the key to it.

Above all, Brinberg’s respect for the music is a constant.  And his performances of the songs are terrific.

Steven Brinberg will be performing at only one other date in the UK, unfortunately, and that’s in Milton Keynes.  Full tour dates are here.