Jane Hudson, a former vaudeville child star who performed on stage under the name Baby Jane Hudson, lives in misery with her sister, Blanche, in a gloomy house in Hollywood. Blanche herself had...

Jane Hudson, a former vaudeville child star who performed on stage under the name Baby Jane Hudson, lives in misery with her sister, Blanche, in a gloomy house in Hollywood. Blanche herself had risen to fame as an actress -- with a successful career that eclipsed that of her sister's. But Blanche's acting days came to an abrupt end in the 1930s when she was crippled in a mysterious car accident. Now the two adult sisters live together in a climate of jealousy, fear and mistrust, with reclusive Blanche confined to her wheelchair and slovenly Jane shuffling around the house, drinking constantly. But things are about to change. Jane has decided to revive her long-ago "Baby Jane" act, determined to make a showbiz comeback -- no matter what it takes.