william wyler direct this first rate costume drama and ms. bette davis pick up her second academy award play an antebellum dixie vixen that go a little too far to make her fiance ( henry fonda ) jealous . fonda return to new orleans from new york with a lovely wife ( margret lindsay ) only to put davis in a jealous rage and desperate for revenge . a superb cast that also feature donald crisp and george brent and fay bainter . ms. davis be vibrant in one of her best role .