The Nanny (1965)

There's just something not quite right when Bette Davis stars as an English nanny. And is her 10 year-old charge an emotionally disturbed murderer or just an insolent brat? 

The Nanny is a 1965 British suspense film directed by Seth Holt and starring Bette Davis, Wendy Craig and Jill Bennett.  It is based on the novel of the same name by Evelyn Piper (a pseudonym for Merriam Modell), and the film was scored by Richard Rodney Bennett. The film was made by Hammer Film Productions at Elstree Studios.

Bette Davis is an English nanny whose charge is a rude 10-year-old Joey, just discharged from a disturbed children's home where he'd spent two years undergoing treatment for drowning his little sister in the bath. He returns to an unloving father, fragile mother, and doting nanny -- whom he hates. Suspicion arises again when his mother is poisoned, and Joey continues to insist Nanny is responsible. Joey contends the nanny was responsible for his little sister's death, and only the upstairs neighbour girl believes him.

Would you trust the nanny . . . or the boy?

This is obviously not Mary Poppins from the very start. It is a hugely atmospheric and very suspenseful pot-boiler and perhaps even one of Hammer's most underrated efforts ever.  "The Nanny" is non-stop suspense and tension right from the beginning until the twisty ending.

Nanny is so sticky sweet that you suspect something's wrong. On the other hand, she may just be that nice. Joey, who's coming home after being away for a couple of years, is revealed to be either an insufferable brat, or a terribly disturbed and frightened boy of 11 or so. Joey, who despises and harasses all middle-aged women, says Nanny is trying to kill him. Sweet Nanny is afraid someone may believe the child's irrational ravings. Mother Virgie, herself on the verge of total mental collapse, can't cope. Father Bill is too busy with business and travel, and too much the authoritarian parent to concern himself.

Calm Down Bitch

Bette Davis delivers a truly chilling performance in the role of the superficially friendly but sinister Nanny. 10-year old William Dix is also amazingly good in the lead. The film is creepily shot in black and white and the storyline bears several interesting twists. One of the film's greatest assets is the fact that it manages too keep up the suspense, and even the mystery about who is telling the truth. The twists are unpredictable, and it isn't clear until the film's climax whether the nanny is evil, or just the victim of a disturbed boy's morbid fantasy

The black and white picture definitely benefits the film, as it gives it that good old classic look and also provides more atmosphere than the film would have had if it was in colour. I suppose the only real criticism I can make of the film is that the plot sometimes drags, and there are long periods where not much happens. By the end, it's obvious that director Seth Holt was always building up to the conclusive twist; but it's well worked and the ending is likely to make most people that have watched it happy.

Another Memorable Davis Portrait!

Trivia:
According to writer Marcus Hearn in "The Hammer Vault", Davis unsuccessfully tried to seduce producer Jimmy Sangster. 

Ten year old co-star William Dix could not attend the film's British premiere because of the "X" rating it originally earned.

The role of the Nanny was originally intended for Greer Garson who first accepted then declined, saying the script would not be good for her career. Jimmy Sangster who wrote and produced the film later said, "I went to Santa Fe and met with Greer, and she said she liked the script, and everything was fine. When I got back to London, we had a message from L.A. saying that Greer Garson didn't think the script would do her career much good. I didn't like to say she didn't have a career in those days."

The last film of Nora Gordon. 

Director Seth Holt found Bette Davis "impossible" to work with.

Working with the flu, Bette Davis would drink out of her co-stars' glasses and cough in their faces. 

Bette Davis forced co-star Jill Bennett to walk behind her at the dog track one night because she thought she was underdressed.

Jill Bennett says Bette Davis gave her one important acting tip: "make love to the furniture." 

The battery-powered walking robot toy Joey is playing with is a Horikawa "Silver Gear" model, made of tin in Japan. In good working condition it could be worth $800, even without the box (in 2015).

Nanny wasn't responsible . . . WAS SHE?