Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte is a psychological thriller movie released in 1964. Directed by Robert Aldrich, the movie stars Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotten, and Agnes Moorehead in leading roles.
Charlotte Hollis (Bette Davis) is an aging Southern belle who lives in a decaying mansion in Louisiana. She was once a popular Southern socialite until the tragic murder of her lover, John Mayhew (Bruce Dern), thirty-seven years ago. Charlotte was accused of his murder, but she was never convicted due to lack of evidence. However, the incident left a significant impact on her mental health, and she became a reclusive person.
After receiving a letter from her cousin Miriam Deering (Olivia de Havilland) informing her that their family home is being demolished, Charlotte becomes increasingly paranoid and delusional, thinking that Miriam has come to kill her and take her property. Charlotte is also haunted by the ghostly figure of John Mayhew, who is seeking revenge.
The situation becomes worse when Miriam's husband, Dr. Drew Bayliss (Joseph Cotten), arrives with a plan to have Charlotte declared insane and committed to an asylum, so he can take over her property. Charlotte's loyal housekeeper, Velma (Agnes Moorehead), tries to protect her from the conspiracies of Dr. Bayliss and Miriam.
As the tension and suspense build up, the movie shows flashbacks of the murder of John Mayhew, revealing the horrifying family secret that has been haunting Charlotte for decades.
Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte is a chilling tale of love, betrayal, and madness that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats till the very end. The movie was critically acclaimed and received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for Agnes Moorehead.
