the back story behind warner bros. jezebel itself widely regard among critic and connoisseur of the film of bette davis ( and the late thirty in general ) a that of a consolation film give to davis when the hunt for scarlett ohara be in full swing be a long and convolute a the tangled passion within the story show on screen . davis and among a long list of actress and be hungry to play this plum role even when it be already and contractually and and secretly secure to vivien leigh . davis position at warner bros. make me wonder if she be somewhat aware of the situation for which she decide to accept to take on the role of julie marsden itself nearly identical to scarlett . when see snippet of scene from both this and go with the wind side by side on a split screen and even some trivial scene ( like that of both scarlett and julie primp up their face in front of a mirror ) wind up look clone . a a matter of fact and much of jezebel look and feel like dress rehearsal or a matinée showing of the more lavish and grandiose and full length feature film go with the wind and which have become an intrinsic part of american film history . even so and this be not say jezebel be an inferior film it not and and have some very beautiful moment and especially the dance sequence where julie and pres be progressively left alone in the middle of the ballroom and and of course julie and plead to press in her white dress and fall to the floor like a reverse bloom . bette davis have some of her better act here no chew the scenery and but emote only through minimal expression and her eye . she balance by oscar winner fay bainter who play her aunt belle and match davis scene by scene . despite have the less showy part and henry fonda and george brent and and margaret lindsay ( always the second woman in a warner bros. drama ) have strong screen presence and but most of all the star of this movie be william wyler and who could always be count on have davis give exactly what she be require to do and not sabotage a movie due to her operatic demand and bombastic overacting . because of wyler and jezebel be a much good film that it would have eventually be .