Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte

1960 • 132 minutes

About this movie

Charlotte Hollis, wealthy southern spinster, is shunned by her community for the grizzly murder some 40 years prior of her intended, John Mayhew. Even though her guilt in the matter was never proven, the townspeople liken her to a modern-day Lizzie Borden. The murders are similar in nature and the children even taunt her with cruel rhymes. For this reason she lives a life secluded from the mainstream of society. Her needs are cared for by her faithful servant, Velma. Now, progress in the guise of new highway construction threatens the Hollis plantation, her home and the family domicile since Civil War times. She refuses to leave when she is issued an eviction notice by the Sheriff and even takes pot shots at the highwaymen when they encroach upon her property line. Charlotte summons "Cousin Miriam" to fight the public battle to save her home. To her chagrin, Miriam has come with the intention of assisting with the packing -- not to save the mansion from the bulldozers. After Charlotte, Miriam is
the sole heir to the Hollis estate. This is motive enough for Miriam to have Charlotte committed for her strange and
reclusive behavior. But, is Charlotte insane? Doctor Drew seems to feel she may need some help across the threshold of insanity.

Ratings and reviews

This film will scare the Bejesus out of you! It's not your typical slasher flick either. It starts with some small boys in a game of dare that is very scary and continues on a run of things you will not see coming! Just when you think you have it figured out, it takes turns and twists! Bette Davis is just a great actress! She makes you believe she's out of her mind! I love her and she is my favorite of all time so I'm a bit biased. I've seen this many times, but the best time I saw it was the time I watched my kids watching it. They were probably 7 - 9yr old range and it amazed me how they reacted to it!

This is a GREAT movie on the subject of mental illness. But the question in the movie is: Is Betty Davis character Charlotte REALLY insane? and if not, whats REALLY going on in this movie? Remember: Just because your paranoid(or crazy) doesnt mean their NOT after you!(LOL!) CECELIA

I could watch Bette Davis & Joan Crawford movies ALL day!! Love them!!!