Two middle-aged women move to Hollywood, California after their sons are convicted of a notorious murder and open a dance school for children eager to tap their way to stardom.
Curtis Harrington and George Edwards approached writer Henry Farrell soon after "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" was a hit, hoping to get a screenplay. Farrell told them of a story outline titled "The Box Step", the story of two contemporary ladies who ran a dance studio. Eventually the story wound up with Harrington and Edwards, who had input on the screenplay. It was their idea to change the setting to a 1930s dance academy for little girls.
I think this works great, and although the horror aspects are minimal compared to the weird kid acting and dancing scenes, it is an effective story. Allegedly the film went through various cuts, and the lesbian aspect was toned down a lot (though it can still be seen). Which makes me wonder if these cuts were in the script or in the film itself, because it would be great to get that footage back.
Curtis Harrington and George Edwards approached writer Henry Farrell soon after "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" was a hit, hoping to get a screenplay. Farrell told them of a story outline titled "The Box Step", the story of two contemporary ladies who ran a dance studio. Eventually the story wound up with Harrington and Edwards, who had input on the screenplay. It was their idea to change the setting to a 1930s dance academy for little girls.
I think this works great, and although the horror aspects are minimal compared to the weird kid acting and dancing scenes, it is an effective story. Allegedly the film went through various cuts, and the lesbian aspect was toned down a lot (though it can still be seen). Which makes me wonder if these cuts were in the script or in the film itself, because it would be great to get that footage back.