Jezebel (1938)

Tagline: A Fearless Feminine Creature with a heart full of love!

Jezebel movie storyline. In 1852 New Orleans, spoiled, strong-willed belle Julie Marsden (Bette Davis) is engaged to banker Preston “Pres” Dillard (Fonda). In retaliation for Pres refusing to drop his work and accompany her while she shops for a dress, she orders a brazen red one for the Olympus Ball, the most important ball of the year, though an unmarried woman is expected to wear a white dress. All of Julie’s friends are shocked, but no one can convince her to give up her whim.

At the Olympus ball, Pres and Julie’s entrance is met with shock and disdain by all present. She finally realizes the magnitude of her social blunder and begs Pres to take her away, but instead he forces her to dance with him. All of the other dancers leave the floor. When the orchestra stops playing at the instruction of one of the ball’s sponsors, Pres orders the conductor to continue. Pres and Julie finish the dance.

Afterwards, Pres takes his leave of Julie, implicitly breaking their engagement. In a final bit of spite, Julie slaps him in the face. Aunt Belle Massey (Fay Bainter) urges her to go after Pres and beg his forgiveness, but she refuses, confident that he will return to her. Instead, he goes north on business. Julie shuts herself up in her house and refuses to see visitors.

A year later, Pres finally returns, to help Dr. Livingstone (Crisp) try to convince the city authorities to take measures against an outbreak of yellow fever. At a homecoming party planned for Pres at Halcyon Plantation, the family’s country estate, Julie wears a luminous white gown, and, before Pres can stop her, Julie humbles herself and begs for his forgiveness and a return of his love. Then Pres introduces her to his wife, Northerner Amy (Margaret Lindsay).

Jezebel is a 1938 American romantic drama film released by Warner Bros. and directed by William Wyler. It stars Bette Davis and Henry Fonda, supported by George Brent, Margaret Lindsay, Donald Crisp, Richard Cromwell, and Fay Bainter. The film was adapted by Clements Ripley, Abem Finkel, John Huston, and Robert Buckner, from the play by Owen Davis, Sr. The film tells the story of a headstrong young Southern woman during the antebellum period whose actions cost her the man she loves. The film is based on a 1933 stage play. Tallulah Bankhead was originally slated for the stage role, but fell severely during rehearsals and was replaced by Miriam Hopkins.

Directed by: William Wyler
Starring: Bette Davis, Henry Fonda, George Brent, Margaret Lindsay, Donald Crisp, Fay Bainter, Richard Cromwell, Henry O’Neill, Spring Byington, John Litel, Gordon Oliver, Theresa Harris, Margaret Early
Screenplay by: Clements Ripley, Abem Finkel, John Huston
Cinematography by: Ernest Haller
Film Editing by: Warren Low
Costume Design by: Orry-Kelly
Art Direction by: Robert M. Haas
Music by: Max Steiner
Distributed by: Warner Bros Pictures
Release Date: March 26, 1938