Jezebel is on tonight, TCM, 8 pm. Watch just for the wardrobe!!
"Plot Synopsis: Set in antebellum New Orleans during the early 1850's, this film follows Julie Marsden through her quest for social redemption on her own terms. Julie is a beautiful and free spirited, rapacious Southern belle who is sure of herself and controlling of her fiancé Preston Dillard, a successful young banker. Julie's sensitive but domineering personality--she does not want so much to hurt as to assert her independence--forces a wedge between Preston and herself. To win him back, she plays North against South amid a deadly epidemic of yellow fever which claims a surprising victim."
I had always thought it came after Gone With the Wind as a consolation prize for Bette not getting the part of Scarlett O'Hara, but tonight I learned it was made before GWTW and Bette's chance at Scarlett was probably ruined by her portrayal of Miss Julie in Jezebel- too similar.
In any event- she was superb. The film was never colorized although people seem to think there is a color version because that famous scene when Bette sweeps in into the ballroom in that red gown against a sea of white debutante dresses is so vivid, we remember it as if it were color. Scarlett O'Hara repeats that scene in GWTW when she is forced by Rhett to wear that red dress with feathers to Ashley's party. Bette was no great beauty like Vivan Leigh, but there was something about those eyes and flawless complexion which seemed to make her beautiful. And of course Hollywood had make-up, costume and hairdresser staff who could do almost anything with anyone. I enjoyed watching Jezebel again-the Max Steiner musical score alone is worth it.
