Jezebel
BBB.5
(out of 5)
Bette Davis stuns the crowd again as a rebellious southern gal who shockingly wears red to her cotillion ball (gasp!) She also openly pursues a handsome gentleman (Henry Fonda) who no longer wants her because of her forward ways, and when he goes off and marries some simpering ninny, Davis does her best to get revenge on both of them. Davis’ fireball performance certainly makes up for the fact that this is a completely ridiculous exercise in misogyny that has an outspoken, individualistic young woman punished with old maid-ness and an eventually dire conclusion.
USA, 1938
Directed by William Wyler
Screenplay by Clements Ripley, Abem Finkel, John Huston, based on the play by Owen Davis
Cinematography by Ernest Haller
Produced by Hal B. Wallis
Music by Max Steiner
Production Design by Robert M. Haas
Costume Design by Orry-Kelly
Film Editing by Warren Low
Cast Tags: Bette Davis, Donald Crisp, Eddie ‘Rochester’ Anderson, Fay Bainter, George Brent, Georges Renavent, Gordon Oliver, Henry Fonda, Henry O’Neill, Irving Pichel, Janet Shaw, John Litel, Lew Payton, Margaret Early,Margaret Lindsay, Matthew ‘Stymie’ Beard, Richard Cromwell, Spring Byington,Theresa Harris
Academy Awards
Best Actress (Bette Davis as “Julie Morrison”)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Fay Bainter as “Aunt Belle Massey”)
Nominations
Best Cinematography (Ernest Haller)
Best Music (Scoring) (Max Steiner)
Outstanding Production (Warner Bros.)
National Board Of Review Award
Top Ten Films
