Whatever flaws this film may have, it is an undeniably entertaining viewing experience for fans of fun chiller dillers! Bette Davis, as the reclusive aged Charlotte Hollis, a faded Southern Belle, gives a typically bravura performance. Many people in the sixties actually relished the sight of Miss Charlotte acting like a crazed animal, chewing the scenery and being unmercifully slapped by her conniving cousin, Miriam Deering. The root of the plot concerns a macabre murder which took place back in 1927. There are many over-the-top scenes, such as a head rolling down a staircase (which Davis herself thought a "bit much") but the film certainly keeps the viewer's attention. As the witchy harridan housekeeper Velma Cruther, Agnes Moorehead is marvelously hammy. Olivia de Havilland gives an effective performance as the sly Miriam, who even surprises the morally debauched Drew (an egotistically wooden Joseph Cotten performance). Mary Astor is really good as the "stoney broke" & dying Jewel Mayhew, as is Cecil Kellaway in his role as the old man she confides in. Originally, Joan Crawford was to have played the role of Miriam, but there was so much friction during production (between she and Davis) that she psyched herself ill: although fans will never know just how effectively Crawford's playing against Davis in their second round would measure up, Olivia was an excellent replacement.
Review of Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte
