26 April 2024
The Nanny (1965)
93 min.
Directed by Seth Holt.
With Bette Davis, Wendy Craig, Jill Bennett, James Villiers, William Dix, Pamela Franklin, Jack Watling.
Bette Davis is delightful in this superb Hammer thriller.

For several generations, the Fane family has depended ever so upon its loyal and obedient nanny (Davis), their caregiver of choice.

When his little sister is found drowned, young 10-year old Joey Fane (Dix) is blamed for the death and shipped off for therapy.

Returning home from rehab two years later, little Joey finds his nanny ready to serve as always.

But then Joey's mother (Craig) dies suddenly. Then his aunt dies inexplicably.

Does the nanny have a secret she'll kill to protect...and if she does, is it what you think?

Quite well done, with some excellent performances; Davis is lowkey and offers up a lean, nicely paced performance, while Dix strikes the right chord as bratty Joey.

Best scene: the nanny tells all via a flashback...leaving Bennett to die of heart failure.

With a wonderfully downbeat, bittersweet ending.

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