Classic Movie ~ Vintage Bette Davis : Jezebel (1938)

When I was growing up, Sunday afternoons were special.  My big sister and I loved to watch movies on TV. We both especially loved Bette Davis; whether she was a bad lady or a good girl, she was a SUPER STAR!! 

In this particular movie, she was Julie Morrison, a brazen, sassy, bold, and audacious Southern belle. She dared to be an independent woman with a mind of her own, who challenged society's norms. In the process of being rebellious, arrogant, and contrary, she caused a rift between her and her future husband. What did she do that was so outrageous and shameful? Uumm … she showed up to a party in a red dress!

I was very young at the time, and being that red is my favorite color, I didn't get what all the huffing and puffing was about. My older sister explained to me that refined and cultured women in polite society would never wear a red dress. That's the mark of a whore!! A wicked woman!! A she-devil!!

With that very clear and graphic explanation provided by my big sister, I was able to better understand this scene and this line in the movie, and that also explains the name of the movie.

“𝙄 𝙥𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙄 𝙖𝙨𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙚.” ~ Bette Davis - JEZEBEL (1938)

♦ Bette Davis - "I'm Kneeling To You" from Jezebel (1938)

♦ Filmsite Movie Review: Jezebel (1938) ~ "The film earned a total of five Academy Award nominations with two major Oscar victories. Bette Davis won her second (and last) Academy Award for her portrayal of the tempestuous, manipulative Southern ante-bellum New Orleans belle for Warner Bros." 

Here are some fascinating, lesser-known facts about Jezebel (1938) with Bette Davis:

1. Bronze vs. Red Dress
   Although Julie Marsden’s iconic gown at the Olympus Ball is widely remembered as red, on film it was actually a bronze colored dress. The reason: bronze showed up better on black and white film than red would. (IMDb)

2. Delayed and Over Budget — Wyler’s Perfectionism
   The production ran 28 days behind schedule, and the film was significantly over its original budget (about $400,000 over). Much of the delay came from director William Wyler demanding many takes and insisting on precision, especially in scenes with Bette Davis. (Watch TCM)

3. Multiple Costume Workers & Expense
   About 75 seamstresses worked for roughly a month on the costumes. The film’s wardrobe budget was large, with some dresses (like the bronze /red dress) costing about $850 each. Overall, several thousand dollars were spent on costumes. (AFI Catalog)

4. Rushed into Production in Response to Gone With the Wind
   Warner Bros. moved Jezebel forward in part because they saw the success and impending cultural presence of Gone With the Wind. They wanted a Southern set, antebellum romance starring Bette Davis to hit screens beforehand. (Watch TCM)

5. Broadway Origins & Flop
   The movie was adapted from a Broadway play by Owen Davis Sr., which had opened and closed in 1933 after only 32 performances. Miriam Hopkins originally played Julie in the play. (Classic Movie Hub - CMH)

6. Casting Last Minute Changes
   Henry Fonda was not originally cast as Pres Dillard. He replaced another actor (Jeffrey Lynn) who could not be released from another commitment. (Classic Movie Hub - CMH)

7. Personal and Romantic Tensions Behind The Scenes
   On set, there were personal entanglements: Bette Davis and William Wyler developed a romantic relationship during filming. Also, there was tension with Henry Fonda early on about the many takes and schedule delays. (IMDb)

8. Wyler’s Directorial Insight vs. Davis’s Artistry
   One famous anecdote: Wyler made Davis watch dailies (the raw uncut takes) with him and showed her a take of Julie coming down a staircase — she’d been irritated by how many takes it took. But in the dailies, she saw a single take with a fleeting expression that captured the essence of Julie, and it changed how she trusted Wyler’s process. (IMDb)

9. Role of Close-ups Without Leading Man
   Because Fonda had a contractual commitment and had to leave before all of Davis’s close-ups were shot, some close-ups of Davis were done without Fonda opposite her. That meant she often had to emote and react off-screen, relying on direction rather than partner chemistry in certain scenes. (AFI Catalog)

10. Costume Continuity Goof (Sleeves Disappear)
    A small but interesting “goof”: In some shots of the gown, the red/bronze dress has sleeves, and in others (including the ball scene) it appears sleeveless. Continuity in costume wasn’t perfect. (IMDb)

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REFERENCES:

“Jezebel (1938) – Trivia & Fun Facts.” Turner Classic Movies (TCM). Includes info on the 28-day delay, costume budget, red/bronze dress, etc. (WatchTCM)

“Jezebel – Catalog Entry.” AFI Catalog (American Film Institute). Provides production details including costuming, shooting schedule, completion date, etc. (AFICatalog)

“Facts about ‘Jezebel’ – Classic Movie Hub.” ClassicMovieHub. Various trivia tidbits: delays, stage play origin, etc. (ClassicMovie Hub - CMH)

“Happy Birthday, Bette Davis—You ‘Jezebel’!” Library of Congress – Now See Hear! Blog. Background on the Broadway play origins, Wyler’s interest in the play, etc. (The Library of Congress)

“Exploring JEZEBEL (1938)” – Kellee Pratt (blog). On Wyler’s directorial style, takes, costume details, and anecdotes about the film’s production. (Outspoken & Freckled)

Bette Davis Movies on Amazon Prime Video

Artists I Fancy: Monica Stewart

I discovered the art of Monica Stewart while searching for work by African-American artists similar to that of Lavarne Ross. Mr. Ross knows how to capture motion, and his most famous work is called "Tribute", which features African ballerinas.  Ms. Stewart's art radiates grace, movement, and emotional depth.

Admirers have nothing but good things to say about this gifted female artist. Monica Stewart’s art has been described as “a contemporary expression of culture and sisterhood” because she captures “women of color celebrating life”. She gives her work “an authentic, ethnic flavor”. 

The next time you watch the movies “Waiting to Exhale” or “Romeo Must Die”, watch them very carefully. Her artwork has been showcased via these films. Cool huh? :)

Image credit:  Monica Stewart: Ethereal Grace

Highlights about the career of Monica Stewart:

🎨 Artistic Style & Themes

• Stewart is best known for her pastel paintings, which she loves for their brilliance and flexibility.
• Her work often centers on Black women, capturing moments of joy, reflection, and sisterhood. She once said, “I have a good understanding of myself as a woman, so I do tend to paint a lot of women”.
• Her art explores universal human experiences, aiming to evoke personal meaning for each viewer.

🖼️ Famous Works

Some of her most popular pieces include:

• “Unity” – a vibrant portrayal of African-American women dancing in harmony.
• “Graceful Motion”, “Dance of Joy”, and “Rejoice!” – all celebrate movement, rhythm, and spiritual uplift.
• Her prints have appeared in films like Waiting to Exhale, Romeo Must Die, and the sitcom Living Single.

🏆 Recognition & Impact

• Stewart’s art has been featured on California State Lottery and Bank of America calendars, as well as family record books, journals, and photo albums.
• She’s a nationally recognized artist, with her work displayed in galleries and stores across the U.S.
• Though she didn’t complete her formal art degree, her talent was nurtured early on and reignited in the 1990s, thanks in part to encouragement from novelist Terry McMillan, who was one of her first collectors.

♦

REFERENCES:

Artist Biographies - Monica Stewart

Monica Stewart – Heritages Art

The Art of Monica Stewart - Kentake Page

Music: Yuna, Malaysian Singer and Songwriter ~ What's Happening NOW?

UPDATE on Yuna, Malaysian singer-songwriter.

In 2020, I published a short blog post introducing Yuna, a Muslim Malaysian singer/songwriter. It's been 5 years, and this fabulous lady has been very busy. There’s quite a bit happening with her, and it’s a mix of music, activism, and a heartfelt return to her roots. Link to previous post.

Yuna’s official website is yunamusic.com 🎧. 

Irwandy Mazwir, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

🎶 Music & Performances

• New Malay EP in the works: Yuna is currently writing and producing a new EP in Bahasa Melayu, her first full Malay-language project since Bicara in 2017. She’s excited to reconnect with her Malaysian fanbase through this release, expected later in 2025.

• Sold-out homecoming concert: In October 2023, she performed Yunaverse in Kuala Lumpur—her first major Malaysian concert in five years. The show featured songs from her 2023 Malay EP Masih Sunyi and other fan favorites.

• Acoustic sets & fan meets: She’s been active with intimate performances, including a fan event in Bangsar in late October 2023 where she also launched a new single.

💿 Recent Releases

• Album “Y5” (2022): A genre-blending project born during the pandemic, Y5 was released as a full-length album after dropping five EPs throughout the year. It showcases R&B, soul, and disco influences.

🧵 Independent Artist Journey

• Yuna has embraced full independence, producing music from a home studio she built in her father’s office. This shift gave her creative freedom and marked a personal rebirth as an artist.

🌍 Advocacy & Impact

• Support for Palestine: Yuna has been outspoken about the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, which has led to a loss of followers, gigs, and international invitations. Despite this, she remains committed to advocacy.

• Freedom Football & YZ Label: She co-founded a fundraiser called Freedom Football and donates 15% of profits from her fashion brand YZ Label to humanitarian causes.

🏡 Return to Malaysia

• Though based in Los Angeles, Yuna has expressed a deep emotional connection to Malaysia—especially Kuala Lumpur’s Sungei Wang Plaza—and has hinted at moving back permanently to be closer to her aging parents.

Yuna’s journey right now is a beautiful blend of artistic evolution, cultural reconnection, and bold activism. If you’d like to explore her discography or dive deeper into her advocacy work, I’d be happy to guide you.

REFERENCES:

“Yuna.” Apple Music - Web Player. Accessed 4 Sept. 2025.

Izhar, Asilah. “Yuna Returns to KL with Her Homecoming Concert, ’Yunaverse.” Harper’s BAZAAR Malaysia, 24 Oct. 2023, https://harpersbazaar.my/lifestyle/culture/yunaverse-homecoming-concert-details/.

WEBBER, ANNDREA A. “LA-Based Malaysian Singer Yuna Reveals Why She Wants to Hold Her Concert at Sungei Wang Plaza.” The Star, 16 Oct. 2023, https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/entertainment/2023/10/13/la-based-malaysian-singer-yuna-reveals-why-she-wants-to-hold-her-concert-at-sungei-wang-plaza. 

Adleena. “Yuna Admits To Losing Followers & Overseas Show Offers After Voicing Support For Palestine.” Hype MY, 3 Sept. 2025, https://hype.my/yuna-admits-to-losing-followers-overseas-show-offers-after-voicing-support-for-palestine/.

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Yuna- Risk It All (Official Music Video) A soulful, cinematic piece from her Y5 era, this video captures Yuna’s signature elegance and emotional depth.  

Thanks for visiting. 💓

[Blogger’s Note: This post was created with the help of a free AI tool that assisted with research, writing, formatting, and SEO.]