One of Hammers most unsung films, The Nanny features a terrifying performance from Bette Davis, who plays a governess that murders her charges. Her latest ward is Joey, an emotionally disturbed 10-year-old whos just returned from a childrens home, where he was remanded after drowning his sister. Imagine Joeys surprise when he returns home to his father (James Villiers, perennially cast as the snooty aristocrat) and mother (Wendy Craig, whos best remembered for her comedy roles) to find creepy Davis willing to dote on him. Needless to say, he rebels, little realizing that Davis is not someone to trifle with. We dont want to give too much away, so lets just say that her preferred method of punishment is a short, sharp shock involving water. Davis, with a British accent, is so restrained as to make you forget about her other forays into horror, which usually saw her trying to outdo her co-stars. She was reportedly difficult on the set of The Nanny, but with a performance this good, why complain?
Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'
