Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte
A psychological horror thriller about a suspected murderess and her cousin.
Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte is a 1964 American psychological horror thriller directed and produced by Robert Aldrich. The story centers on a middle-aged Southern woman long suspected in the unsolved murder of her lover decades earlier. After she summons her cousin to help fight the local government’s plan to demolish her home, she begins experiencing strange and disturbing events. The screenplay, adapted by Henry Farrell and Lukas Heller, came from Farrell’s unpublished short story “What Ever Happened to Cousin Charlotte?”
Aldrich, following his success adapting Farrell’s novel *What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?*, originally planned to reunite Bette Davis with Joan Crawford, despite their famously difficult relationship on the earlier film. Principal photography started with Davis in the lead role and Crawford as the cousin Miriam, but production was delayed. Crawford was eventually replaced, and Olivia de Havilland took over the part. The cast also included Joseph Cotten, Agnes Moorehead, and Mary Astor in her final film role. The movie was a critical hit and received seven Academy Award nominations.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Robert Aldrich
- Screenplay
- Henry Farrell / Lukas Heller
- Based On
- "What Ever Happened to Cousin Charlotte?" · Henry Farrell
- Starring
- Bette Davis / Olivia de Havilland / Joseph Cotten / Agnes Moorehead / Cecil Kellaway / Mary Astor
- Music
- Frank De Vol
- Cinematography
- Joseph Biroc
- Editing
- Michael Luciano
- Studio
- The Associates and Aldrich
- Distributor
- 20th Century-Fox
- Runtime
- 133 minutes
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Mary Astor, in her final film role, played Jewel Mayhew, a former Southern belle who is not the murderer. The actual murderess is revealed to be Miriam, played by Olivia de Havilland. Astor, a friend of Davis, said she took the role because it was with Bette Davis and because her character died, allowing her to 'really be dead.' The title song by Frank de Vol became a hit for Patti Page, reaching no. 8 on the Billboard chart.
Reader's Guide
Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte stands as a notable entry in the psychological horror thriller genre of the 1960s, capitalizing on the success of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? and the public fascination with the Bette Davis-Joan Crawford feud. Though Crawford was replaced, the film's production difficulties and the eventual casting of Olivia de Havilland added to its lore. The film earned seven Academy Award nominations, reflecting its critical acclaim. Its Southern Gothic atmosphere, themes of madness and manipulation, and the performances of its aging Hollywood stars contributed to its enduring legacy. The film also marked the final screen appearance of Mary Astor, adding a sentimental note for classic film fans. The unresolved tensions between Davis and Crawford, and the behind-the-scenes drama, have made the film a subject of continued interest in film history.
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