HACK, HACK, SWEET HAS-BEEN

HUSH, HUSH...SWEET CHARLOTTE (1964)
dir: Robert Aldrich

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (1962)
dir Robert Aldrich

HACK, HACK, SWEET HAS-BEEN
MAD #100, January 1966
w: Larry Siegel
a: Mort Drucker

Both are examples of thrillers which had older actresses supposedly past their prime and chewing scenery. Bette Davis was the only woman to star in both. The follow-up was meant to team up Bette Davis (b. 1908) and Joan Crawford (b. 1904-08?) again but they couldn't get along the first time, and Crawford was replaced by Olivia DeHavilland (b. 1916). This mostly borrowed the plot of Hush, Hush... but had elements of both. Neither had Tallulah Bankhead (b. 1902) or Barbara Stanwyck (b. 1907)

The alternate title in this parody is either a play on What Ever Happened to Cousin Charlotte?, the story it was based on, or What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?. This begins similarly to Hush, Hush..., with the DeHavilland character coming in from the city to return to the Southern mansion she was raised in. The credits also pun Mary Astor and Agnes Moorehead. The theme from the movie was a hit song.

Joseph Cotton played a doctor in Hush, Hush... Sweet Charlotte.

Victor Buono, who was also in both films, is also named in the credits of the parody.

Joan Crawford was married to the president of Pepsi and was spokesperson for them.

Annette Funicello (b. 1942) was star of beach movies, another prominent genre at the time.

Charles Addams did magazine ads for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

There was a TV series a few years ago called Feud about the making of Baby Jane, and how their animosity in real life was perfect for the screen.

Other examples in the "hagsploitation" or "psycho-biddy" genres (hey, I didn't make those words up) were What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice?, What's the Matter with Helen?, and Who Slew Auntie Roo?.