Seems like a missed opportunity. Still, it’s an obvious comparison since both movies are about entitled Southern belles trying to get a man who doesn’t necessarily want them. The story is extremely “of its time” — so the crucial plot elements can come off as dated, sexist, racist, or just don’t make sense today in the early 21st century. Synopsis. But usually, closeups show a very squishy, soft bodice line (but luckily no princess seams or pointy boobs). Jezebel is fascinating from a cinematic history perspective, but it's also a strong melodrama beyond the societal backdrops. | Rating: B- So Bette is actually wearing a chocolate brown gown! Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! But even if there’s no “true” black and white version of your favorite color movie, there’s nothing wrong with giving it another spin sans RGB to see if it hits you differently. Another good example is the series Ally McBeal (1997-2002). An entertaining piece until its rushed and contrived ending. Ahab, Jezebel’s husband. All rights reserved. Actors: Bette Davis, Henry Fonda, Fay Bainter, George Brent, Margaret Lindsay. Davis's character starts off by proclaiming this is 1852, she can dress as she wants, making us hopeful that she's independent and a pioneer, but she's soon cowed and contrite. Directed with taste and discretion by Wyler, the film has several poignant scenes, such as the one in which Henry Fonda ferociously forces Bette Davis to dance in her red dress, while staring down at anyone who appears critical of her code violation. Despite her reputation, there's more to her story. Just leave us a message here and we will work on getting you verified. Jezebel was unflinchingly loyal to Baal, and went to her death wearing the ritual make-up and headdress of a priestess of Baal. |, November 9, 2006 Interestingly the movie portrays itself as a racial drama about a woman who is denied her rightful place in the world because of her color, which also fits well into the Tragic Mulatto/Jezebel ideal. You don’t want them to show through your dress do you? Elided are the whippings, yearnings for freedom, and the forced labor, and these depictions are replaced with numerous shots of "happy Negros," content with their lower caste and more than willing to serve their "better" white folk. Bette Davis' depiction of Jezebel trumps Gone With the Wind in her portrayal of a Southern belle. A Supposedly Feminist Website. (In SXSW Film Festival.) Some say this film was Davis’ compensation for not getting the role of Scarlett O’Hara, and others say this movie was essentially her audition for Gone With the Wind. Engaged to successful banker Preston Dillard (Henry Fonda), Julie pushes him away with her arrogant and contrary ways, leading to a scandalous scene at a major social event and his subsequent departure. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! Forgot your password? Davis is a spoiled, manipulative ingenue with her intentions set on rising banker Fonda, only he refuses her golden puppet strings much to her consternation. All Critics (21) There is an obvious lack of corsetry, except in one dressing scene where we’re shown her corset and cage crinoline. Always passionate about costume, from everyday office wear to outrageous twisted historical creations, she has maintained some of the earliest online costuming-focused resources on the web. ‘Jezebel’: Film Review Reviewed online, Denver, Jan. 10, 2020. We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future. Davis, in an Academy Award-winning performance, portrayed Julie Marsden, the strong-willed belle whose impertinent spoiled nature wreaks havoc on her relationship with Columbia Pictures (West Wing Studios) Across the Pacific. Copyright © Fandango. Fandango FANALERT® Sign up for a FANALERT® to find out when tickets are available in your area. The immortal 1950 masterpiece All About Eve is the movie that houses Bette Davis' best performance, but certainly ranking in the top five would be her mesmerizing turn in this Civil War-era melodrama. |, April 17, 2020 Does Jezebel chart Bette Davis' redemption, or punishment? Bette Davis, more restrained than usual, sometimes subtle, and none-the-less powerful, does the wilful Southern belle to a crisp. With many similarities to GWTW, this melodrama depicts New Orleanian genteel society directly before the War Between The States. And Aunt Belle, a model of civility, graciousness, refinement and gentility, also accuses Julie of being a Jezebel - bestowing the film's moniker on her. No two biblical figures are more synonymous with evil than Judas and Jezebel… Coming Soon. In the quote above from Ways of Seeing, we could easily substitute the word “whites” for the word “men” and see the truth in it. Ironically, I think I like Julie Marsden a bit more than Scarlett O’Hara. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. THE BISHOP'S WIFE (in Color). Just confirm how you got your ticket. 1942. They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. The hair is styled in a more historical fashion, but the makeup is very 1930s. The stereotype leads to a societal belief that Black women need various forms of social control including restricted access to reproductive care. Don’t worry, it won’t take long. Overall, despite strong performances by Henry Fonda and Davis, the film's offense and its plodding story cannot be forgiven. ‘ Ahab’ means ‘brother of the father’. | Rating: 7/10 The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. | Rating: 2.5/4 |, June 9, 2009 4. By Trystan L. Bass on March 19, 2015 in Nineteenth Century, Throwback Thursday. She gives Fonda a great slap when he leaves her that night for good. Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Jezebel; Julie Marsden is a headstrong young woman living with her Aunt Belle in New Orleans in the early 1850s. Sidney Poitier’s 7 Most Memorable Performances, All Harry Potter Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Golden Tomato Awards: Best Movies & TV of 2020, The 2021 Oscars’ Biggest Moments: Glenn Close Does “Da Butt,” Yuh-Jung Youn Is “Luckier Than You,” and Daniel Kaluuya Embarrasses His Family, Oscar Winners 2021: Full List of the 93rd Academy Awards Winners and Nominees. Unfortunately, Jezebel‘s pivotal ballroom scene depends on color — Julie wears a red dress instead of virginal white. Jan. 25, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. Jezebel was a Killer and Prostitute, but She had Her Good Side. [ Note: The Biblical Jezebel was the wife of King Ahab - her scheming caused a man to be killed. She is the mistress of the white character Senator Stoneman. Unfortunately, Jezebel ‘s pivotal ballroom scene depends on color — Julie wears a red dress instead of virginal white. Bette Davis' extraordinary intensity almost makes one believe in Julie's Jezebel-Nurse Cavell personality. |, August 16, 2011 It should come as little surprise that it doesn't quite work. All rights reserved. Learn more at Biography.com. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. One serious strike against the movie is the fact that it was filmed in black and white. 15 Up-and-Coming Black Directors Set To Shape the Future of Hollywood, July 27, 2020 272. The Wonderful: Stories From The Space Station. The percentage of Approved Tomatometer Critics who have given this movie a positive review. It’s not that it’s red, it’s that it’s strapless! |, March 28, 2020 © Copyright 2007-2020 Frock Flicks, Trystan L. Bass, Kendra Van Cleave, & Sarah Lorraine Goodman. A Best-Selling Book, a Pair of Ambitious Influencers, and the $400 Sweater Forcing a Reckoning Among Climate Activists Davis was 30 years old when the film was made but had already been in 36 movies, won one Oscar and been nominated for one other, and yet she said this was the role that truly established her. The Jezebel Scholar Hill-Collins defines the jezebel as a hypersexual woman with an insatiable horniness. Visual content is copyrighted to its respective owners, and inclusion here is under fair use for criticism, comment, and news reporting purposes. When Preston eventually returns and Julie attempts to win him back, she discovers that it may be too late. Cinemark You can see why, and if you can watch it just for her, you'll probably enjoy it. | Rating: 3.5/5 Black Jezebels in American Cinema In the 1915 movie The Birth of a Nation (Griffith), Lydia Brown is a mulatto character. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your email. With Bette Davis, Henry Fonda, George Brent, Margaret Lindsay. There are so many great scenes with Davis. This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". | Rating: B The film is much more interesting for its traces of Davis' own future roles and images than for its decoy status as a GWTW consolation prize. It perhaps is even a career topper for Davis. She took to ballet at age 2 and by age 4 was performing. That’s all. In 1850s Louisiana, a free-spirited Southern belle loses her fiancé due to her stubborn vanity and pride, and vows to win him back. Coming Soon. Jezebel Movie Review Summary. A tottering costume drama that gave Bette Davis one of her rare non-bitchy roles. Chuck Mee is all about fairness. Both stories are about women who “needs to be taken down a peg” by society, and eventually the leading man, for not knowing their place.