Bette Davis' whiplash persona dominates the film but soon becomes a tired tirade, her inherited name evoking the Objectivism of Ayn Rand's grand protagonist but here only producing a null personality. Mrs. Taggart is obnoxious and pretentious, castrating her sons and reducing their paramours to servants, seeking any inherent weakness to poke and prod. The verbal barrage is meant to be funny but soon becomes rather annoying, as the film focuses on the snap/crackle/pop of insults but fails to create any sympathetic character or plot design. The sons are weak and underdeveloped while the spouses are too possessive or nagging: who really cares what happens to anyone in this horror-show?
Baker fails to elevate the story beyond its stage appeal, and it becomes visually exhausting as actors hit their marks on cue, reducing the film to a well-rehearsed performance. This is one anniversary to never celebrate again.
Final Grade: (D)
