History Trivia / HushHushSweetCharlotte

* ProductionPosse: Creator/RobertAldrich carried over several cast members for ''Film/WhatEverHappenedToBabyJane'' - Bette Davis, Joan Crawford (at first), Wesley Addy, Dave Wilcock and Victor Buono.

* ActorAllusion:
** The painting of the young Charlotte is of Creator/BetteDavis's character in ''Jezebel''.
** Bette Davis had also played a depressed spinster called Charlotte in ''Film/NowVoyager''.

* CastingGag:
** Joseph Cotten [[spoiler: is helping in the {{Gaslighting}} process]]. He'd been on the other end of it in the [[{{Film/Gaslight}} film that]] was the TropeNamer.
** Olivia de Havilland replacing Joan Crawford in a horror film for the second time after ''Film/LadyInACage''.

** Olivia de Havilland replacing Joan Crawford in a horror film for the second time after ''Lady in a Cage''.

** Crawford complained later that Aldrich didn't even have the integrity to call her up and tell her she was fired; instead she heard about it on the radio in late August - although a conflicting story from Bruce Dern states that she arrived on set to find Olivia de Havilland sitting in her chair, asked what she was doing there and Bette Davis said "she's playing your role". That claim was further disputed by Robert Aldrich, who had told Bette Davis to keep the recasting quiet for two days while he informed her lawyers via letter, but she then leaked the story to the press. She never again took a role in a serious film, finishing her career over the next six years with some B-grade horror films she did [[MoneyDearBoy strictly for the check]].
** On the first day De Havilland[[note]]who didn't need the work, and didn't like her part although she admired the way Aldrich directed the film[[/note]] was on the set, she and Davis toasted with Cokes (a dig at Crawford, who was on the board of Pepsi due to her late husband having been an executive there). The film, retitled to reflect that it was no longer a retake on ''Baby Jane'', did moderately well, even gaining some Oscar nominations, although it was not the phenomenon ''Baby Jane'' had been.

** The title would originally have been the same as the original short story ("What Ever Happened to Cousin Charlotte?") but Creator/BetteDavis felt that was too similar to ''Film/WhatEverHappenedToBabyJane''. Hearing the lyrics in the song written for the film, she suggested that as an alternate title.

* ThoseTwoActors: Joseph Cotten and Agnes Moorhead appeared together in ''Film/CitizenKane'' and ''Film/TheMagnificentAmbersons''. Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland did six films together overall.

** ''Baby Jane'' had been a surprise hit, and so the studio wanted nothing more than to get the two aging divas together again. Henry Farrell, whose novel had been the basis for that film, had an unpublished story perfectly titled "Whatever Happened to Cousin Charlotte?", with a similar plot where one woman manipulates an unsuspecting female relative for personal gain. It was agreed that this time around Creator/JoanCrawford would play the villainous Miriam, attempting to manipulate her titular cousin (Creator/BetteDavis) out of the estate she had just inherited. Creator/RobertAldrich agreed to direct the sequel, and the script was duly written.

** The title would originally have been the same as the original book (''What Ever Happened To Cousin Charlotte?'') but Creator/BetteDavis felt that was too similar to ''Film/WhatEverHappenedToBabyJane''. Hearing the lyrics in the song written for the film, she suggested that as an alternate title.

** Olivia de Havilland didn't think much of the final film either, calling it 'reverse typecasting'. She found Miriam to be a bland villain with generic motives.

** Crawford complained later that Aldrich didn't even have the integrity to call her up and tell her she was fired; instead she heard about it on the radio in late August. She never again took a role in a serious film, finishing her career over the next six years with some B-grade horror films she did [[MoneyDearBoy strictly for the check]].

* TypeCasting: In both this and ''{{Film/Marnie}}'' the same year, Creator/BruceDern plays a man who gets violently murdered in the female lead's backstory.

* ThoseTwoActors: Joseph Cotton and Agnes Moorhead appeared together in ''Film/CitizenKane'' and ''Film/TheMagnificentAmbersons''. Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland did six films together overall.

** Joseph Cotton [[spoiler: is helping in the {{Gaslighting}} process]]. He'd been on the other end of it in the [[{{Film/Gaslight}} film that]] was the TropeNamer.

* CastingGag: Joseph Cotton [[spoiler: is helping in the {{Gaslighting}} process]]. He'd been on the other end of it in the [[{{Film/Gaslight}} film that]] was the TropeNamer.

* TheOtherMarty: Creator/JoanCrawford was originally cast as Miriam. Two weeks into production, she fell ill (or claimed she had) and it was clear she'd need to be recast. Creator/VivienLeigh and Creator/KatharineHepburn both declined the role, and Creator/OliviaDeHavilland came on board instead.

* ProductionPosse: Creator/RobertAldrich carried over three (at first) cast members for ''Film/WhatEverHappenedToBabyJane'' - Bette Davis, Joan Crawford and Victor Buono.

** On the first day De Havilland[[note]]who didn't need the work, and didn't like her part although she admired the way Aldrich directed the film[[/note]] was on the set, she and Davis toasted with Cokes (a dig at Crawford, who was on the board of Pepsi due to her late husband having been an executive there). The film, retitled to reflect that it was no longer a retake on ''Baby Jane'', did moderately well, even gaining some Oscar nominations, although it was not the phenomenon ''Baby Jane'' had been.

** ''Baby Jane'' had been a surprise hit, and so the studio wanted nothing more than to get the two aging divas together again. Henry Farrell, whose novel had been the basis for that film, had an unpublished story perfectly titled "Whatever Happened to Cousin Charlotte?", with a similar plot where one woman manipulates an unsuspecting female relative for personal gain. It was agreed that this time around ''Creator/JoanCrawford'' would play the villainous Miriam, attempting to manipulate her titular cousin (Creator/BetteDavis) out of the estate she had just inherited. Creator/RobertAldrich agreed to direct the sequel, and the script was duly written.

* ProductionPosse: Creator/RobertAldritch carried over three (at first) cast members for ''Film/WhatEverHappenedToBabyJane'' - Bette Davis, Joan Crawford and Victor Buono.

** ''Baby Jane'' had been a surprise hit, and so the studio wanted nothing more than to get the two aging divas together again. Henry Farrell, whose novel had been the basis for that film, had an unpublished story perfectly titled "Whatever Happened to Cousin Charlotte?", with a similar plot where one woman manipulates an unsuspecting female relative for personal gain. It was agreed that this time around ''Creator/JoanCrawford'' would play the villainous Miriam, attempting to manipulate her titular cousin (Creator/BetteDavis) out of the estate she had just inherited. Robert Aldrich agreed to direct the sequel, and the script was duly written.

* ProductionPosse: Robert Aldritch carried over three (at first) cast members for ''Film/WhatEverHappenedToBabyJane'' - Bette Davis, Joan Crawford and Victor Buono.

* In contrast to the rather smooth production of ''Film/WhatEverHappenedToBabyJane'', production of ''Charlotte'' was deeply problematic because of the Crawford/Davis issues.

** Pretty soon the insurance company and the producers sat down with Aldrich and gave him an ultimatum: Either you replace Joan Crawford or we shut production down and call this a loss. He decided on the former option. However, recasting the part proved harder than expected. Creator/KatharineHepburn wouldn't even return the call; Creator/VivienLeigh famously said "No, thank you. I can just about stand looking at Joan Crawford's face at six o'clock in the morning, but not Bette Davis." So too did Creator/LorettaYoung and Creator/BarbaraStanwyck.

* In contrast to the rather smooth production of ''Film/WhatEverHappenedToBabyJane'', production of its SpiritualSequel, ''Film/HushHushSweetCharlotte'' was full of problems.

* TroubledProduction: In contrast to the rather smooth production of ''Film/WhatEverHappenedToBabyJane'', this one was full of problems.
** Creator/JoanCrawford proved to be very difficult on set - turning up with about twenty suitcases for one week's worth of location shooting in Baton Rouge, and forcing the wardrobe mistress to have to iron many chiffon dresses in the 100-degree weather. Crawford also refused to work longer hours, and eventually stopped speaking to the director at all - forcing him to communicate through her make-up artist. Not helping matters was Creator/BetteDavis throwing a few barbs at her during filming.
** On the last day of location filming, Crawford fell asleep in her trailer and woke up hours later to find that the crew had all packed up and left her behind. This proved to be the last straw for her, and she checked herself into a hospital. It was later claimed that she faked being ill because she couldn't stand to work with Davis anymore.
** Getting to Creator/OliviaDeHavilland's home to talk to her was no easy feat either; Robert Alritch had to take three planes, a train and taxi up a goat trail to get to her house in Switzerland. It also took him four days to convince her to sign on. As there was no time to have Miriam's costumes redone, Olivia supplied most of them from her own wardrobe.

* CreatorBacklash: Creator/BetteDavis's son Michael Merrill claims that his mother had this about the film - especially the scene where the severed head rolls down the stairs.
* TheOtherMarty: Creator/JoanCrawford was originally cast as Miriam. Two weeks into production, she fell ill (or claimed she had) and it was clear she'd need to be recast. Vivien Leigh and Creator/KatherineHepburn both declined the role, and Creator/OliviaDeHavilland came on board instead.

* ActorAllusion: The painting of the young Charlotte is of Creator/BetteDavis's character in ''Jezebel''.
* ActorInspiredElement: The title would originally have been the same as the original book (''What Ever Happened To Cousin Charlotte?'') but Creator/BetteDavis felt that was too similar to ''Film/WhatEverHappenedToBabyJane''. Hearing the lyrics in the song written for the film, she suggested that as an alternate title.

* ActorAllusion: The painting of the young Charlotte is of Bette Davis's character in ''Jezebel''.
* ActorInspiredElement: The title would originally have been the same as the original book (''What Ever Happened To Cousin Charlotte?'') but Bette Davis felt that was too similar to ''Film/WhatEverHappenedToBabyJane''. Hearing the lyrics in the song written for the film, she suggested that as an alternate title.
* CreatorBacklash: Bette Davis's son Michael Merrill claims that his mother had this about the film - especially the scene where the severed head rolls down the stairs.
* TheOtherMarty: Joan Crawford was originally cast as Miriam. Two weeks into production, she fell ill (or claimed she had) and it was clear she'd need to be recast. Vivien Leigh and Katherine Hepburn both declined the role, and Olivia de Havilland came on board instead.
* PlayingAgainstType: Olivia de Havilland had carved a career out of playing TheIngenue or sweet good girls. Playing a BitchInSheepsClothing like Miriam is drastically different.
* RealitySubtext: A reference is made to Bette Davis's famous lawsuit with Warner Bros. When Harry Willis describes what Charlotte was wearing at the murder trial, his description matches what Bette was wearing the day she arrived for her court date. What's more is that Harry says Charlotte's trial was held in London, as was Bette's in real life.

** Joan Crawford proved to be very difficult on set - turning up with about twenty suitcases for one week's worth of location shooting in Baton Rouge, and forcing the wardrobe mistress to have to iron many chiffon dresses in the 100-degree weather. Crawford also refused to work longer hours, and eventually stopped speaking to the director at all - forcing him to communicate through her make-up artist. Not helping matters was Bette Davis throwing a few barbs at her during filming.
** On the last day of location filming, Crawford fell asleep in her trailer and woke up hours later to find that the crew had all packed up and left her behind. This proved to be the last straw for her, and she checked herself into a hospital. It was later claimed that she faked being ill because she couldn't stand to work with Bette Davis anymore.
** Getting to Olivia de Havilland's home to talk to her was no easy feat either; Robert Alritch had to take three planes, a train and taxi up a goat trail to get to her house in Switzerland. It also took him four days to convince her to sign on. As there was no time to have Miriam's costumes redone, Olivia supplied most of them from her own wardrobe.

* TheOtherMarty: Joan Crawford was originally cast as Miriam. Two weeks into production, she fell ill (or claimed she had) and it was clear she'd need to be recast. Vivien Leigh and Katherine Hepburn both declined the role, and Olivia de Havilland came on board too.