MovieChat Forums > What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) Discussion > Movie over in 30 minutes if someone just...

Movie over in 30 minutes if someone just called the cops!


Seriously, Blanche and Elvira weren't the brightest bulbs. If Blanche made it all the way to the phone, isn't it easier to dial 911, have the cops show up, and get you the hell out of there? But she wastes her time on a call to the doctor? WTF? If someone serves you your dead bird for lunch, you jump out the window (use of legs or not).

And Elvira turning her back and putting the hammer down after she knew how dangerous Jane was, is beyond suspension of disbelief. Wasn't this the same person that was suspicious of Jane from the very beginning? I like this movie, but it's beyond frustrating when characters are this stupid.

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I'm 55 years old, love old movies but just got to watch this yesterday for the 1st time. I agree on both counts. I don't recall when 911 went into effect in the country but I've seen a lot old movies and I enjoy them, but whenever there's trouble someone will pick up a phone, dial "0" and say "Operator please get me the police it's an emergency!" Also agree about Elvira but, without spoiling anything, I guess because of the secret that Blanche reveals at the end maybe she felt she deserved some of what was happening to her.

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That would mean Blanche would no longer have her maid service and a free caretaker. And it would be only one word person's word against the other. Jane would just tell the cops that Blanche is "not well"

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That's the thing, if the cops got a call from a disabled shut-in, and the caregiver assured them that the caller was mentally unstable, many cops would leave it at that. But this isn't just most cops, this would be LAPD dealing with a celebrity or ex-celebrity, they wouldn't do diddly.

And a maid who called the cops on her employer would gave a hell of a hard time getting a new job.

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Or 15 if she just yelled out the window.

Not the greatest writing here.


give me a stage where this bull here can rage and though I can fight I'd much rather recite.

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Agreed. Great acting, yes. Writing? Not so much.

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Or indeed if Blanche, upon seeing the woman next door doing her gardening, while Jane was gone from the house, just yelled out the window "HELP ME PLEASE HELP ME, PLEASE CALL THE POLICE!"

The neighbor woman was already kindly disposed toward Blanche and excited to be living next door -- she would have believed her and gotten help; she wouldn't have dismissed it. Why didn't Blanche just yell bloody murder instead of toss a note?

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"Or indeed if Blanche, upon seeing the woman next door doing her gardening, while Jane was gone from the house, just yelled out the window "HELP ME PLEASE HELP ME, PLEASE CALL THE POLICE!" "

Agreed, did you also watch it on bbc ?

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Yes, although I originally saw the movie years ago when I was a child -- my parents let me watch anything and I found it exceedingly scary back then! It was good to be able to see it again with adult eyes.

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