tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post6658162114541677453..comments2024-01-25T07:08:17.130-05:00Comments on 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die: Jezebel (1938) ****Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-54996310226450552162012-12-05T01:29:45.674-05:002012-12-05T01:29:45.674-05:00I wrote this as part of a blogathon which was quit...I wrote this as part of a blogathon which was quite popular with many people (ala the comments). I wish I had this many comments on all of my posts. Anyway, the Wyler family even contacted the moderator, RD Finch, about this event. Miss Julie is her own worst enemy--one of the reasons I love her character so much.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-1406732868964648012012-11-29T06:13:38.715-05:002012-11-29T06:13:38.715-05:00Uh, I envy you all these wonderful comments. You h...Uh, I envy you all these wonderful comments. You have a large following to you blog! This is a very nice post, certainly with a different angle than I used, but that may be a gender thing. I was mostly intrigued by the psycology of Julie, how her spoiled, self-centered ego manages to ruin everthing for herself and those around her and that she even will sacrifice herself in the end to get her way/prove her point. I did not like her much, not even as a progressive feminist, she is simply too self-obsessed, but I totally loved Bette Davis in that role. She outshines everybody else.<br />TSorensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12208153011927807857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-21775347582971757692012-07-15T23:15:09.522-04:002012-07-15T23:15:09.522-04:00You pose some interesting questions. You obviousl...You pose some interesting questions. You obviously have seen this film enough to analyze some of the underlying subtext. <br /><br />Scarlett and Ms. Julie are a lot alike, but they have marked differences--which I think Bette Davis deserves credit for.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-2878882801071671702012-07-12T15:55:53.114-04:002012-07-12T15:55:53.114-04:00I love the dresses, love Bette Davis--but I think ...I love the dresses, love Bette Davis--but I think what impresses me the most about Jezebel is how a movie that was specifically designed to capitalize on the popularity of Gone with the Wind (then in book form) manages to not feel like a rip-off. Part of that is the script, but part of it was definitely, as you mentioned, Wyler's direction to Bette Davis to treat her role less as a pouty, spoiled Scarlett-wannabe and more as an innocent who doesn't fully understand the possible consequences of her actions at the ball. The final scene, too, is so deliciously ambiguous--is Julie's redemption genuine, a real act of self-sacrifice? Or is it just her way of ultimately managing to be with Pres, separating him from his fiancee in death even as she couldn't in life? There are arguments to be made for both, and every time I watch the movie I change my mind on which one it is, haha.heatherhttp://paperpopsong.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-59877623983738010662012-07-03T20:35:06.509-04:002012-07-03T20:35:06.509-04:00Karen, thanks for the nice comments. It is a subt...Karen, thanks for the nice comments. It is a subtle film, but still superb.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-30714762042348555002012-06-30T20:52:10.685-04:002012-06-30T20:52:10.685-04:00I loved your post, Kim. Jezebel is one of those fi...I loved your post, Kim. Jezebel is one of those films that has grown on me over the years -- I think that I'd heard so much about it, for so long, that when I finally first saw it (in my early 20s, if I recall correctly), I was a bit underwhelmed. But I have grown to appreciate it with each subsequent viewing, and I greatly enjoyed your treatment of the film as well as the juicy backstage dramatics, which I'd never known about!Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02939607801184112943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-7419032928556899292012-06-28T18:35:01.580-04:002012-06-28T18:35:01.580-04:00Thanks, Eve. I think if they continued to make fi...Thanks, Eve. I think if they continued to make films together after The Little Foxes that someone might have ended up in jail or the crazy house.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-55483700774715206612012-06-28T18:33:46.912-04:002012-06-28T18:33:46.912-04:00Ken, I went to the sources (Davis and Wyler) to ge...Ken, I went to the sources (Davis and Wyler) to get the scoop. They liked sharing in their golden years.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-4512181907082600732012-06-28T18:32:43.499-04:002012-06-28T18:32:43.499-04:00Davis was not overly-impressed with her work on Da...Davis was not overly-impressed with her work on Dangerous, but she was extremely proud of Jezebel. They worked quite well together. Thanks for commenting.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-84145407602781265902012-06-28T13:58:26.248-04:002012-06-28T13:58:26.248-04:00Kim, Wyler and Davis were an incomparable team and...Kim, Wyler and Davis were an incomparable team and I only wish they'd made many more films together. God knows, they may have worn each other out by the time "The Little Foxes" wrapped. Great insights on one of BD and WW's finest.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-42119421371390818382012-06-28T12:59:02.053-04:002012-06-28T12:59:02.053-04:00One of my favorite Bette Davis movies, yet one I k...One of my favorite Bette Davis movies, yet one I knew absolutely nothing about, behind the scenes-wise. Really enjoyed reading your review of the film and being educated on the various sound stage escapades. It's a miracle anyone had any energy left to make a movie.Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-16958819429610733612012-06-28T07:27:27.178-04:002012-06-28T07:27:27.178-04:00Terrific review, especially how Wyler got Bette to...Terrific review, especially how Wyler got Bette to give a performance that was different that what she wanted to do. Although Bette already had one Oscar under her belt, it's this film that really pushed her to the top, and she had an amazing run for the next six years. Wyler definitely deserves some of the credit for this, especially with this film.Classicfilmboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01278928051994100842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-57036445962312505032012-06-27T14:27:06.175-04:002012-06-27T14:27:06.175-04:00Thanks, Page. It's a particular favorite of mi...Thanks, Page. It's a particular favorite of mine, too, so I wanted to to a nice job.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-24186859466935897802012-06-27T14:26:17.470-04:002012-06-27T14:26:17.470-04:00He enjoyed them for awhile and then he had a habit...He enjoyed them for awhile and then he had a habit of discarding them and finding another one. You'd think he'd learn his lesson. Maybe it was pathological?Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-56742638511333832962012-06-27T11:00:03.686-04:002012-06-27T11:00:03.686-04:00Kim,
I was glad to see you were reviewing Jezebel...Kim, <br />I was glad to see you were reviewing Jezebel since it is hands down my favorite Wyler film. Well, actually it's in my top 5 of favorite films. <br /><br />A very interesting and refreshing review! I really enjoyed the info you provided on how Wyler directed Bette in getting such a compelling performance. (I love the tenacious and biting Bette the best!)<br /><br />Overall, a fantastic take on a brilliant film. <br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-32375955380114153362012-06-27T09:28:33.559-04:002012-06-27T09:28:33.559-04:00I didn't know about the reported pregnancy. Wo...I didn't know about the reported pregnancy. Wow! They say Wyler had an irresistible charm. He seemed to enjoy headstrong women.<br /><br />Interesting!<br /><br />- JavaJava Bean Rushhttp://www.javabeanrush.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-55810759879712123892012-06-27T03:10:53.915-04:002012-06-27T03:10:53.915-04:00R.D., I am pleased you enjoyed the review. When yo...R.D., I am pleased you enjoyed the review. When you asked me to do it for your Blogathon I was overjoyed, as it is a particular favorite of mine. Mind you, that meant I had to work twice as hard not to write a dissertation. This and Now, Voyager are my favorite Bette Davis movies, so I had little difficulty giving it the treatment it so justly deserved.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-19077250079804570402012-06-27T02:53:33.779-04:002012-06-27T02:53:33.779-04:00Kim, I'm floored by your wonderfully focused p...Kim, I'm floored by your wonderfully focused post. Also by the fact that you gave the film 4-stars. I know that you reserve this for exceptional films, so that tells me how highly you think of "Jezebel"!<br /><br />I loved your concise and lucid discussion of each of the three things in the film you singled out for attention. Costume is usually dealt with in a general way, but here it really plays a key role in defining Julie's character and her attitudes, and I thought you captured that beautifully. I watched "Jezebel" again just recently for the first time in a long while, and I have to say the Olympus ball is one of the great set pieces of cinema. How right you were to analyze this scene as an example of Wyler's cinematic genius. Then there's Davis--my favorite actress ever in one of her greatest performances. She makes every willful mistake and every change of emotion in Julie absolutely believable, even in the film's ending, which I remembered as being weak--her comeuppance for her selfishness--but felt on rewatching that Davis made acceptable.<br /><br />Your post was just a delight to read from start to finish. I'm so pleased that such a wonderful film found such a sympathetic writer to give it the treatment it deserves.R. D. Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-69673540024634732002012-06-27T02:37:07.486-04:002012-06-27T02:37:07.486-04:00Thanks, John. Julie is probably my second favorit...Thanks, John. Julie is probably my second favorite performance, right behind Charlotte Vale in Now, Voyager. Davis turned in many standout performances, but certain ones hold a special place in my heart.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-21296473879335775882012-06-27T02:35:10.610-04:002012-06-27T02:35:10.610-04:00It was a very big disappointment when she didn'...It was a very big disappointment when she didn't get GWTW. Still, I think she made her point about her ability to play a temperamental southern belle with Jezebel. Wyler wanted to film in color but Warner had other ideas. Oh, well...Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-68933958412586215022012-06-27T02:32:36.743-04:002012-06-27T02:32:36.743-04:00Ah, the dresses are nice, but not nearly as nice a...Ah, the dresses are nice, but not nearly as nice as Bette's performance. A must-see soon!Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-41496544816504082112012-06-27T02:31:44.847-04:002012-06-27T02:31:44.847-04:00Thanks for commenting. Had it not been for Wyler I...Thanks for commenting. Had it not been for Wyler I doubt Davis would have turned into the actress that she did.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-70686856884934578052012-06-26T23:19:08.533-04:002012-06-26T23:19:08.533-04:00Fabulous review Kim! Bette Davis gives one of her ...Fabulous review Kim! Bette Davis gives one of her greatest performances here. Wonderful background information and details!John/24Frameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14719659042858962026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-56988586393467869492012-06-26T22:34:26.325-04:002012-06-26T22:34:26.325-04:00I've always thought of JEZEBEL as a consolatio...I've always thought of JEZEBEL as a consolation prize for Bette not getting the role of Scarlet O'Hara. It's a shame the film wasn't shot in color; t would have made the famous "red dress" scene is more effective. Still, it's the part of the film I remember best, as it best represents the defiance of Bette's characters.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-75129979831589364322012-06-26T21:10:00.600-04:002012-06-26T21:10:00.600-04:00Really interesting info about the Orry-Kelly gowns...Really interesting info about the Orry-Kelly gowns. What a fabulous movie - you've made me want to see it again right away!Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.com