JEZEBEL (1938): Bette Davis triumph/ William Wyler directs

I start a three film series of movies starring Bette Davis, directed by Wiliam Wyler. One error I would like to confess to- the famous dancer I cited was Martha Graham, not Martha Stewart.

[@grey1951]

Roger, this is a wonderful commentary. I love this film so much, and can watch it again and again, being moved by the ending every single time. A few years ago, I saw it in a film class. The instructor was very critical of how the character of Julie was supposedly "rehabilitated" at the end, and so were most of the other people in the class. She asked for a show of hands from those who believed Julie had changed, and my hand was the only one raised. I told the instructor that Bette Davis MADE me believe in the transformation by the strength and sincerity of her performance. Miss Davis has said in interviews, including her famous appearance on The Dick Cavett Show in 1971, that she was indeed the first choice to play in GWTW. But whatever the real truth is, we'll never know. Personally, I'm glad she played Julie and not Scarlett. I think Scarlett O'Hara is one of the most truly irritating and unlikable characters in film history. Julie Marsden is much more nuanced and fascinating. The portrayal of the slaves is very hard to watch, especially the scene where they all sing and dance. it's a cringe-worthy sequence. Here's a good word for beautiful Theresa Harris, who played the maid, Zettie. She was such a good actress, as proven in her co-starring role with Barbara Stanwyck in Baby Face. She also appeared in a couple of the Val Lewton horror films, always a welcome face in whatever she did. But she deserved so much more than she was offered by Hollywood, like all of the other Black actors and actresses of that era. I also like the fine supporting cast, including an interesting actress named Margaret Early, who played the daughter of Spring Byington. She didn't have a substantial career, but she seemed to corner the market for Southern girls and played very well in Stage Door (1937), another of my favorite films. I would like to read that biography of Bette Davis. My personal favorite among the many books about her is More Than A Woman by James Spada. There is so much in the book, like all Hollywood biographies, that must be taken with way more than a grain of salt. You never know what might be gossip, legend, speculation, or outright lies. But it's all fascinating. Bette Davis, I think, enjoyed the legend that was built up around her. I'm looking forward to hearing your commentary on The Letter. I love that film even more than Jezebel.

[@RogerKirby13]

That’s interesting, Mike, that you were the only one in the class that bought the ending. Frank Nugent in his contemporaneous NYT review praised the film but then said the ending almost ruined it. I guess the question is - is Julie a redeemable character from what we have seen of her, or is she still conniving.
The ending doesn’t bother me if only because without it we wouldn’t have the great staircase scene in which Julie convinces Pres’ wife that she should be the one to go. That is indeed convincing and I love the way Wyler frames the scene with Julie below the wife in a beseeching posture as if she is looking up to the heavens for another chance.
I had meant to mention Teresa Harris but got lost in my notes. The Leaming biography is tough reading at times, especially after All About Eve when her career fell apart as far as chances to appear in significant movies. The ten year marriage to Gary Merril is depicted as a horror show.
My favorite chapter is when Davis meets Mae West for the first time when West was in her eighties, Davis in her 70s. It was secretly recorded and Leaming provides the entire transcript. It is so bizarre. Davis was sloshed and she couldn’t get over that West didn’t speak like she did in her movies. “That was the character” she had to keep repeating. The host was worried that Davis was becoming unhinged in her questions so he hurried them the dinner table. He said that miraculously Davis as soon as she started eating would sober up.

[@ChrisAlders-eh7cq]

Greetings Roger! Many thanks for the very thorough and illuminating review of a film that I have viewed previously but similar to yourself, not revisited for quite some time. For me the attractive aspect of Julie as played by Davis is her tendency to flaunt social norms and conventions, especially given the underlying meaning behind some of those norms. I am also struck by the need for Hollywood to romanticize the pre-Civil War south and lament of its passing. You are quite right to focus on the artistry of the film alongside the superb performances by Davis, Fonda and the supporting cast. Your analysis of the contrast between Davis and Fonda in terms of their approach is spot on. My own most recent viewing experience was the 1983 film, El Norte (Criterion Collection spine #458), directed by Gregory Nava and featuring Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez, David Villalpando, and Ernesto Gómez Cruz. In many ways it is the classic story of immigrants who emanate from south of the border to the United States. A brother and a sister are driven from their home community in Guatemala and have a harrowing journey to the U.S. The film is able to depict the upheaval as represented in the violence of south/central America and the very limited opportunities for people who are categorically labelled as "illegals" once they arrive. It is not to be missed and is easily one of the greatest films of all time. My latest film acquisition is 1996's That Thing You Do!, featuring Tom Hanks, Liv Tyler, and Charlize Theron. Thank you again for the wonderful examination of Jezebel and have a terrific end to the week!

[@RogerKirby13]

Hi Chris. Jezebel is such an interesting film in many aspects which you have described so well. Davis was really coming into her own under Wyler’s direction and despite their conflicting acting styles Fonda and Davis had definite chemistry. I haven’t seen either of the two films you mention in a long time. Thanks as always for your incisive comments and have a great week.