Most of the fun leading up to 1962's twisted film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? was imagining the fireworks on the set. It was no secret that Bette Davis and Joan Crawford despised each other and the public wondered how difficult the filming must have been.
The production was everything people imagined it would be. The two legends made production a nightmare. Arguments, delays and unprofessional behavior were rampant. A scene in which Bette Davis' "Baby Jane" was supposed to pretend to kick Joan resulted in Ms. Crawford needing stitches.
It was only their desperation for acting roles of any kind that made them take this film. Neither had been getting much work before this. They even agreed to take less money than usual in exchange for a higher percentage of the film's profits.
After the film's release, when only Bette received a nomination for her off the rails portrayal of "Baby Jane", Joan hit the roof, actively campaigning against Bette and encouraging the other actresses nominated to let her accept the trophy on their behalf if they couldn't make it to the ceremonies. Fate intervened when Anne Bancroft won and couldn't be in attendance. Joan accepted on her behalf in a ceremony that must have been amazing; the lights and cameras could have been powered solely by Bette Davis' hatred.
As Ms. Davis pointed out years later, Joan actually hurt herself with her actions; the grosses would have easily been $1 Million higher had Bette won the Oscar. In the end, Bette got the last laugh, as her deranged, over the top performance became legendary. Everyone remembers her part in the film, but hardly anyone remembers much about Joan's performance.
