tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067902550504189621.post1327628744161687255..comments2024-02-14T10:34:56.184+00:00Comments on Black and White: Cinema and Chocolate: Jezebel (1938)Miguelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531415630123832435noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067902550504189621.post-71735117878303538662011-04-04T22:40:42.174+01:002011-04-04T22:40:42.174+01:00Thanks for the comment, it was really nice.
To a...Thanks for the comment, it was really nice. <br /><br />To answer your question, I think that with "Jezebel" and Bette Davis WB realised that they could bet on something that would give them more prestige. The cheaply made pictures of the early 1930s are being left behind. My guess is that Hal B. Wallis and Jack Warner wanted to openly compete with MGM. Which makes sense as they were the biggest fish in the pond and had money to spend. It's not a massive revolution but a natural progression to be taken as a bigger player in the game. And "Jezebel" is one of the earliest to succeed. <br /><br />PS - Glad you manage to book it.Miguelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04531415630123832435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067902550504189621.post-66378569707580158552011-04-04T08:39:36.398+01:002011-04-04T08:39:36.398+01:00A great review, Miguel, which I've now read se...A great review, Miguel, which I've now read several times. I'm very interested in how you see this film as marking a change of direction for Warner as a studio with a move towards more lavish and prestige films. I agree this is one of Bette Davis' greatest roles - I was lucky enough to see it on the big screen during her centenary celebrations, along with one or two of her others. <br /><br />It's a pity that there wasn't enough money around to make it in colour, especially the scene with the red dress which is actually black. However, I do think that gives an extra element that, as she thinks she is celebrating her own daring and sexiness, she is in fact sealing her own doom. In any case, the black-and-white cinematography is stunning.<br /><br />PS I've booked to see 'Beggars of Life' at the BFI - many thanks for alerting me to it early on!Judyhttp://movieclassics.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com