Directed by William Wyler
1938
The book listed this as the second most famous film about a Southern belle, the other, of course, being Gone With the Wind. I prefer Gone With the Wind, though Jezebel is a bit more socially conscious. Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh have a lot more chemistry, than Henry Fonda and Bette Davis.
This film centers on Bette Davis who is a real hellcat and causes men to be completely miserable. For instance, she wears an embarrassing dress that scandalizes society to get back at her boy toy for misbehaving. Like I said, unlike Gone With the Wind, the Mammy character is absent which makes for a less inaccurate and offensive film. Also, the heroes of the movie don't join the Ku Klux Klan for the common good which is always a bonus.
Bette Davis acts her tiny ass off in this film and won a well-deserved Oscar for it (take that Joan Crawford!). This was a pretty interesting movie but a very uncomfortable one. During the dress scene, I was cringing so much that I probably looked like I was having a seizure. Still, it is worth watching just to Bette Davis' performance.
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
It is a myth that this role was offered to Bette Davis after she was rejected from playing Scarlett O'Hara. IMDb acted really upset about this rumor but I have never heard it.
Julie's red dress was actually bronze.
Filming was interrupted frequently because Henry Fonda's wife was giving birth to their daughter, Jane Fonda. She went on to star in some real classics...like...ahem...Monster-In-Law.
Trailer:
