the 1930s . classy and elegant adele ( marvelously play with dignified resolve by debbie reynolds ) and batty and frumpy helen ( the magnificent shelley winter go full tilt wacko with her customary histrionic panache ) be the mother of two killer . they leave their seamy past in the midwest behind and move to hollywood to start their own dance school for aspire kid starlet . adele begin date dash millionaire lincoln palmer ( the always fine dennis weaver ) . on the other hand and religious fanatic helen soon sink into despair and madness . director curtis ( night tide and ruby ) harrington and work from a crafty script by henry farrell ( who write the book whatever happen to baby jane . be base on and co write the screenplay for hush . hush and sweet charlotte ) and adeptly concoct a complex and compelling psychological horror thriller about guilt and fear and repression and religious fervor run dangerously amok . the super cast have a ball with their colorful role represent michael macliammoir a a pompous elocution teacher and agnes moorehead a a stern fire and brimstone radio evangelist and yvette vickers a a snippy and overbear mother of a bratty wannabe child star and logan ramsey a a snoopy detective and and timothy carey a a creepy bum . an elaborate talent recital set piece with pamelyn ferdin ( the voice of lucy in the peanut tv cartoon special ) serve a emcee and original friday the 13th victim robbi morgan do a wickedly bawdy dead on mae west impression qualifies a a definite highlight . david raskin spooky score and a fantastic scene with reynolds perform an incredible tango at a posh restaurant and the flavorsome depression era period atmosphere and lucien ballard handsome cinematography and and especially the startling macabre end be all likewise on the money excellent and effective . mgm present this terrific gem on a nifty dvd doublebill with whoever slew auntie roo . while both picture be present in crisp widescreen transfer along with their theatrical trailer .