Cracked Mirrors: Reflecting on "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?": Film Showing and Discussion

Join us for an exciting evening as we watch What Ever Happened to Baby Jane and discuss! Light refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public. Appropriate costumes related to the film are encouraged. 

Event Schedule:

4:30 p.m. - Doors will Open
5 p.m.  - Opening Discussion 
5:15 p.m. - Film Will Begin
7:30 p.m. - Open Discussion Begins Once Film Ends
8 p.m. - The library closes promptly at 8 p.m.

Event Description:

This classic psychological thriller, starring the incomparable Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, has captivated audiences since its release in 1962. This Gothic-inspired film is a fantastic balance of horror, camp, and melodrama.

We will explore the film's expressive meanings, cult film status amongst the LGBTQ+ population, and discuss the film's impact on the horror genre. Additionally, we will delve into its themes of faded stardom and sibling rivalry, and the Gothic elements that make it a timeless piece of cinema. 

Whether you're a longtime fan of the film or discovering it for the first time, this talk will provide new insights and a deeper appreciation of this Hollywood masterpiece.

Speaker Bio:

Ryan “Professor Horror” Terry teaches film studies and screenwriting at the University of Tampa, and is the author of the upcoming book Monsters, Madness, and Mayhem: Why People Love Horror. He is a member of the Critics Association of Central Florida and has regularly published film reviews since 2014. He is a recurring speaker at Tampa Theatre, and has been a featured speaker at Tampa Bay Comic Con and Spooky Empire.