What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

Brilliantly disturbing psychological horror thriller film adapted from a novel by Henry Farrell. 

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford star as two sisters, Jane and Blanche, with a deeply troubled relationship. Davis was once the popular child star “Baby Jane” Hudson, while Crawford is a former Hollywood star who, we learn, lost the use of her legs in an accident. Jane is increasingly unhinged and begins holding Blanche prisoner in their shared house.  

Directed Robert Aldrich nicely ramps up the tension, turning a bizarre situation into a terrifying one. It's difficult to predict how the film can be resolved, but the ending is hugely satisfying.

Mildred Pierce (1945)

Monte Beragon (Zachary Scott) is shot dead in a beach house. His wife, Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford), is the prime suspect. But as she tells her story – shown in flashback – we learn what really happened.

This is both a noirish thriller and a family melodrama, examining Mildred’s intense relationship with her daughters – in particular the selfish social-climbing Veda (Ann Blyth).

Although the drama is expertly unwound and beautifully filmed, Mildred’s relationship with Veda didn’t quite ring true for this viewer. Yes, she was a doting mother, but she also seemed far too rational and well-adjusted to be so obsessive about her daughter.

Perhaps more compelling is the sad saga of a woman who is only ever manipulated or used by men, and who falls victim to a class prejudice that we are often told doesn’t exist in the USA.