This critical analysis and history examines 45 films featuring "grande dames" in horror films. Included is a history of women in horror before the 1962 release of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, which launched the "Grande Dame Guignol" subgenre, in which older women are featured as morally ambiguous leading ladies. Next is an exploration of Grande Dame Guignol films that have followed that landmark release, continuing into the present. The filmography includes cast, crew, reviews, synopses, and production notes, as well as recurring motifs and each role's effect on the star's career.