Joan Crawford been left near-penniless following Alfred Steele's death, accepted a small role in "The Best of Everything" (1959). Although she was not the star of the film, she received positive reviews. Crawford would later name the role as being one of her personal favorites. By 1961 Joan Crawford was once again her own publicity machine with a new script, "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?", sent by Robert Aldrich. Crawford starred as Blanche Hudson, an elderly, disabled former A-list movie star who lives in fear of her psychotic sister Jane, in the highly successful psychological thriller "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?"
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962 film) While Jane is at the bank cashing a cheque, Elvira returns to the house because she is suspicious. Unable to find Blanche, Elvira attempts to open the locked door of her bedroom by removing its hinges with a hammer and screwdriver. When Jane returns, Mrs. Bates tells her she saw Elvira go into the house. Jane confronts Elvira, who threatens to call the police. After Jane reluctantly gives Elvira the key to Blanche's bedroom, she finds Blanche bound-and-gagged and weak from starvation. Shocked, Elvira fails to notice Jane sneak up behind her with the hammer. Jane beats Elvira to death