Bette Davis made the most of this part that was given to her as a consolation after Vivien Leigh beat her out for the role of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind. She's excellent in the role as the lithe and spirited southern belle who shocks her fiancé and the rest of society by (gasp) wearing a red dress when white is the rule for unmarried women. Her fiancé is played by Henry Fonda, who's sporting a lot more hair at age 33 than I ever remember him having, and who mercilessly keeps her at the ball even though it's now clear to her that she's made a mistake, and everyone is treating her as a pariah (including clearing off the dance floor as they twirl around). There are so many great scenes with Davis. She gives Fonda a great slap when he leaves her that night for good. She humiliates herself when he comes back a year later and she's on her knees in the dress she should have worn that night, only to be introduced to his wife.
However if Bette Davis had not been cast, this would be a pretty bad movie. Henry Fonda is wooden and awful. Black folks are content and happy to be slaves. 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. She does deviously try to get Fonda back, and in an interesting, subtle parallel, he too becomes a pariah when he contacts yellow fever during an epidemic, but the ending is forced, melodramatic, and abrupt.
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. You can see why, and if you can watch it just for her, you'll probably enjoy it.
However if Bette Davis had not been cast, this would be a pretty bad movie. Henry Fonda is wooden and awful. Black folks are content and happy to be slaves. 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. She does deviously try to get Fonda back, and in an interesting, subtle parallel, he too becomes a pariah when he contacts yellow fever during an epidemic, but the ending is forced, melodramatic, and abrupt.
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. You can see why, and if you can watch it just for her, you'll probably enjoy it.