Reference Film: XVII – HUSH…HUSH…, SWEET CHARLOTTE by Robert Aldrich

Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964)
Directed by Robert Aldrich
Writing credits by Henry Farrell (story and screenplay)
Also Known As:
What Ever Happened to Cousin Charlotte?
Runtime: 133 min Country: USA
Language: English
Colour: Black and White S
ound Mix: Mono

Cast:
Bette Davis as Charlotte Hollis
Olivia de Havilland as Miriam Deering
Joseph Cotton as Dr. Drew Bayliss
Agnes Moorehead as Velma Cruther
Cecil Kellaway as Harry Wills
Victor Buono as Samuel Eugene ("Big Sam") Hollis
Mary Astor as Mrs. Jewel Mayhew
Wesley Addy as Sheriff Luke Standish
William Campbell as Paul Marchand
Bruce Dern as John Mayhew
Frank Ferguson as Walter Blake, newspaper editor
George Kennedy as foreman

Summary
Charlotte Hollis, wealthy southern spinster, is shunned by her community for the grisly 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 faithful servant, Velma, cares for her needs. 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 behaviour. But, is Charlotte insane?