[Susan Foreman]

Originally Posted by Rondadoronron

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

In real life, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford hated each other

The stories of their rivalry during the making of this film are legion:

• When Crawford started sending little gifts and notes to the crew to win their affection, Davis sent her a note telling her to "GET OFF THE CRAP".
• Both called the director nightly to complain about the other.
• Davis used to talk loudly about "that phony c***" within Crawford's earshot.
• For the scene where Jane beats Blanche, Crawford was concerned that Davis would actually hurt her, and asked for a body double. There was one close up however, that a double could not be used for. When this was filmed, Davis did clip Crawford's head - Crawford screamed, and filming stopped. "I barely touched her" said Davis, unapologetic. Others claim that she left Crawford in need of stitches.
• The following week Crawford had her revenge. During the scene where Jane drags Blanche out of bed and across the room, Crawford, knowing that Davis suffered back problems, made herself as heavy as possible. "There is a way of making it easy on the actor who is doing the carrying" said director Aldrich, "but Crawford wanted Bette to suffer". Some even say she wore a special lead weightlifter's belt. She certainly spoiled at least one take by stopping to cough halfway through. When the filming was finished, Davis was screaming in agony, and Crawford strolled back to her dressing room.
• It was Davis, not Crawford who was nominated at the Oscars for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? the following year. Davis was the favourite to win, so as the nominations were read out she put out her cigarette and handed her purse to a friend, ready to go and collect the award. When the winner's name was read out, she was surprised it was not her; however she was flabbergasted when Crawford pushed past her, saying "excuse me, I have an Oscar to collect" and stole her limelight again. What Davis did not know was that Crawford, as well as campaigning against her, had arranged with several of the other nominated actresses, who could not be present, that she would collect the award on their behalf.