Movie info
| Languages: | English, French |
| Filming dates: | 25 October 1937 - 17 January 1938 (additional scenes 4 February 1938) |
| Budget: | USD 1,250,000 |
| Plot: | Set in antebellum New Orleans during the early 1850's, this film follows Julie Marsden through her quest for social redemption on her own terms. Julie is a beautiful and free spirited, rapacious Southern belle who is sure of herself and controlling of her fiancé Preston Dillard, a successful young banker. Julie's sensitive but domineering personality--she does not want so much to hurt as to assert her independence--forces a wedge between Preston and herself. To win him back, she plays North against South amid a deadly epidemic of yellow fever which claims a surprising victim. |
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Original Soundtracks
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"Raise a Ruckus" (uncredited) Traditional Sung by Bette Davis and Servants "Etude in E Op.10 No.3" (1829-32) (uncredited) Written by Frédéric Chopin Played on piano by Fay Bainter "Pretty Quadroon" (uncredited) Music and Lyrics by Nat Vincent and Fred Howard Sung by Chorus and used as background "Gwine to Rune All Night (De Camptown Races)" (1850) (uncredited) Music by Stephen Foster Played at Belle's party "Beautiful Dreamer" (1862) (uncredited) Music and Lyrics by Stephen Foster Sung and hummed by Bette Davis "An der schönen, blauen Donau (On the Beautiful Blue Danube), Op. 314" (1867) (uncredited) Music by Johann Strauß "Waltz" (uncredited) Music by Max Steiner Played during Olympus Ball scene and often in the score Danced by Henry Fonda with Bette Davis, and other couples "Oh, Shoo My Love" (uncredited) Composer unknown Sung by the Servants "Jezebel" (1938) (uncredited) Music by Harry Warren Lyrics by Johnny Mercer Written for the movie but not used. |
Goofs
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Continuity: As Mrs. Kendrick and Stephanie go up the steps to the porch of Julie's house, we see a diagonal ray of light shine across the front door. Just before Uncle Cato opens the door, the light is gone. DATE: In the scene in which Julie is sewing her dress she hums "Beautiful Dreamer". The story takes place 1852-53 and "Beautiful Dreamer" wasn't written until 1864. Continuity: SPOILER: Just after Preston Dillard collapses and Dr. Livingstone is asking for someone for help to carry him, between shots in the same scene we see Livingstone holding Preston by the hand, then not holding him, then back to holding him by the hand. DATE: When the sheriff shoots the "yellow jack" runaway at Halcyon Plantation, he uses a lever-action repeating rifle. This type of weapon was first patented in 1860; the action takes place in 1853. Continuity: Early in the film, Preston storms up to Julie's bedroom and knocks hard on her door several times with his cane. The head of the cane seemingly leaves numerous dents in the wood. When Julie finally opens the door (inward into the bedroom), the dents have disappeared. Continuity: When Zette admires Julie's dress, the apron on her uniform is pinned to the uniform in some shots and unpinned in other shots. CHAR: As Julie hurries through the room arranging flowers, one flower falls out of the vase, but she doesn't bother with it or even seem to notice it, continues arranging them, and then moves the vase to another table. |
Quotes
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Julie Marsden: This is 1852 dumplin', 1852, not the Dark Ages. Girls don't have to simper around in white just because they're not married. Aunt Belle: Pres has always loved you in white... If he isn't simply bowled over by it, I won't know what to think. Julie: [speaking to an assistant who carries off a red dress] Wait a minute. Bring that over here. Saucy, isn't it? Aunt Belle: And vulgar. Julie: Yes, isn't it? Come on, get me out of this. Aunt Belle: Julie, what are you doing? Julie: If it fits me, I'm gonna wear it to the Olympus Ball. Aunt Belle: A red dress to the Olympus Ball? Why, you're out of your senses. Julie: ...Mary Vickers couldn't possibly do it justice. Aunt Belle: Child, you're out of your mind. You know you can't wear red to the Olympus Ball. Julie: Can't I? I'm goin' to. This is 1852, dumplin,' 1852. Not the Dark Ages. Girls don't have to simp around in white just because they're not married. Aunt Belle: In New Orleans they do. Julie, you'd insult every woman on the floor. Mme. Poulard: Mademoiselle, your aunt - she's right. Look how beautiful this dress is. Julie: Will you kindly get me out of this? Aunt Belle: Julie, you can't be serious. Julie: Never more serious in my life. Aunt Belle: But Julie, think of Pres. Julie: That's just exactly what I am thinkin' of. Julie: Amy, of course it's your right to go. You're his wife. But are you fit to go? Lovin' him isn't enough. If you gave him all your strength, would it be enough? Amy Bradford Dillard: I'll make him live or die with him. Julie: Amy, Amy, do you know the Creole word for fever powder, for food and water? How to talk to a sullen, overworked black boy and make him fear you and help you? Pres's life and yours will hang on things just like that, and you'll both surely die. Amy Bradford Dillard: Then it will have to be that way. Julie: It's not a question of provin' your love by layin' down your life for Pres. Nothin' so easy. Have you the knowledge and the human strength to fight for his life and for your own as one will have to fight? Amy, it's no longer you or me. Amy Bradford Dillard: What do you mean? Julie: I'll make him live, I will. Whatever you might do, I can do more, 'cause I know how to fight better than you. Amy, if you knew the horror of that place. It isn't a hospital. It's a desolate island haunted by death. They'll put Pres in an open shed with a hundred others. You must be there with him day and night, watchin' every breath he draws. You must bathe him, keep him clean, give him drugs, fight for his food and water. You must keep the livin' from him and the dead. Be there by him with your body between him and Death. Julie Marsden: Would you like to see my new dress? Preston Dillard: That's what I wanted to do all day! Julie Marsden: Well, let me go. There it is. Preston Dillard: For the Olympus Ball? Julie Marsden: Isn't it lovely! Preston Dillard: Julie! It's red! Julie Marsden: It's gorgeously red! Preston Dillard: You can't wear red to the Olympus Ball! Julie Marsden: Why not! Preston Dillard: You never saw an unmarried girl in anything but white! Julie Marsden: Well you're going to see one tomorrow night! Preston Dillard: Julie, you can't be serious! Julie Marsden: Are you afraid someone will take me for one of those girls from Gallatan street? Preston Dillard: Julie! Julie Marsden: Oh I'm sorry! I forgot, I'm a child. I'm not supposed to know about things like Gallatan street! I'm just supposed to flutter around in white! Preston Dillard: You're supposed to know better than to scandalize the whole town! Julie Marsden: [Looks unhappily at him] It might be bad for the bank of course! Will you please hold another directors meeting and ask 'em to decide what I can wear? Preston Dillard: Julie for heavens sake! Will you be reasonable? Julie Marsden: [Snaps back sadly] Where you reasonable this afternoon? Preston Dillard: So that's It... Your just nursing a spite, well I'm not gonna let you! You made your point for what your going to do as I say! I'm calling for you tomorrow night at 10 and you are going to be dressed properly for the ball in white! Julie Marsden: Am I? But of course Preston. If you say so. Preston Dillard: Don't be absurd! Your own good sense will say so! Julie Marsden: And it doesn't? Preston Dillard: Then my sweet we will stay at home quietly with our embroidery. [He kisses Julie] Goodnight. Tomorrow night at 10. Aunt Belle: Expecting a man to go to a dress makers with you! I declare i hope Pres doesn't come! Julie: He will Aunt Belle: But Julene! Julie: Now dumplin' don't you fret about Pres I've been training him for years! Aunt Belle: Like that man-killing horse you bought! Julie: Pres was outrageous! He had no right to tell me what i could ride and what i couldnt! Aunt Belle: The horse showed you what you couldn't! You broke your collar bone and your engagement! Julie: And they both mended so i was right after all [Smiles at Aunt Belle happily] Preston Dillard: You haven't a partner you have to meet Cantrell? Buck Cantrell: Why no. Came alone Preston Dillard: [They glare at each other] Pleasant evening isn't it? Buck Cantrell: Mighty pleasant. Nice and cool... Preston Dillard: [Looks at Buck and snaps] Do you find it cool in here? I don't find it particularly cool. Do you Julie? Julie Marsden: [Looks up at Pres] Why... Why no Preston Dillard: [Steps towards Buck] I don't find it particularly cool. Miss Julie dosen't find it so. Buck Cantrell: [stares at Pres] Why no. Now that you speak of it... It's just about right... Preston Dillard: Seems so to me. Buck Cantrell: [Glares at Pres] Your servant. Yours miss Julie. [Bows at Julie] Dr. Livingstone: You might be interested in a bit of news I got today... Preston Dillard's coming back. Arrives Friday on the packet Aunt Belle: What brings him? Dr. Livingstone: This yellow fever business. We two started together on what 'oughta be done about it. Now its busted loose he's comin' back Aunt Belle: It's high time. I suspect I know Julie like nobody ever will. Every crook and cranny of her Dr. Livingstone: You 'oughta miss Belle, she's more like you than you ever where Aunt Belle: Maybe I'll love her most when she's meanest, because I know thats when shes lovin' most. Julie: Why did you do it Prest? Preston Dillard: Because I love her. Julie: But you had my love. Preston Dillard: And lost it. Julie Marsden: Shall I cry for you? Nobody ever made me cry but you... And that was only twice! Julie: Why did you do it? Why Pres? Preston Dillard: Because I love her Julie: But you had my love! Preston Dillard: And lost it. Julie: Wasn't that memory more real than anything she had to give to you? [Preston walks away] Don't be cross with me, Pres. Just tell me. You must! Preston Dillard: Please don't, Julie! Julie: Sha'll I cry for you? Nobody ever made me cry but you... And that was only twice! Do you remember? Preston Dillard: Yes Julie: How much do you remember? Preston Dillard: Everything you ever said or did. But thats the past now. Done. Finished. Julie: I 'ought to have came to you. I wanted to so terribly... I't was because I wanted to so much that i couldn't. You do understand that don't you Pres? Preston Dillard: I didn't understand. I just knew what you did. Julie: But you had to come back home didn't you? You had to come back to the country and the things you know... Because you belong here! Nothing can change that. Listen... Can you hear them? The night noises? The Mocking bird in the magnolia. See the moss hanging from the moonlight. You can fairly taste the night can't you? You're part of it Pres and it's part of you. Like I am. You cant get away from us Pres, we're both in your blood. This is the country you were born to, the country you know and trust. Your country Pres! Amy wouldn't understand. She'd think there'd be snakes... Preston Dillard: Julie please! Julie: It isn't tame not like the North. It's quick and dangerous, but you trust it! Like how the fever mist smells in the bottoms, rank and rotten but you trust that too. Because it's part of you. Just as I'm part of you and we'll never let you go! [Julie kisses Preston, he pushes her away] Pres you're afraid! [Preston glares at her angrily and walks away] Preston: [stands at the door] Goodbye Julie. Julie: [looks at Preston slightly shocked] Is that all you've got to say to me? Preston: There's nothing more to say. Julie: Evidently you've made up your mind Preston: No Julie, you've made up my mind. Julie: [looks at Preston and smiles slightly] Goodbye Pres. [shakes his hand eyes him carefully, frowns and then slaps him] Preston: Goodbye Julie. Julie: [in reference to the flowers] Oh Zette aren't they beautiful! Zette: Yas'am Miss Julie! Right nice and pretty Amy Bradford Dillard: Right nice and pretty? [she snaps out angrily] Pretty enough for Teds grave! Julie: [before Preston walks away] Oh Pres, you forgot your stick. Preston Dillard: So I did. [glares at Julie] And I fogot to use it too Julie: [replies smartly] So ya did Aunt Belle: Child, you're out of your mind. You know you can't wear red to the Olympus Ball. Julie Marsden: Can't I? I'm goin' to. This is 1852, dumplin'. 1852, not the Dark Ages. Buck Cantrell: To the very good health of the future Ms. Dillard. Julie Marsden: Buck. Aren't you gonna wish me happiness too? Buck Cantrell: What's the use? You won't get it. Marryin' a traitor and goin' up North. Julie Marsden: Pres is a banker, not a traitor. I'll thank ya to remember that. Julie Marsden: Why do you treat me like a child? Preston Dillard: Because you act like one. A spoiled one. Julie Marsden: You used to say you liked me like that once. You never wanted me to change. Remember? Julie: Why, Pres. Bangin' on a lady's door. I'm scandalized at you. Well, did you come up here just to stand there? Preston Dillard: Julie, how long must we go on like this? Julie: Like what, Pres? Preston Dillard: Fightin', fussin' all the time, like a couple of children. Julie: Why do you treat me like a child? Preston Dillard: Because you act like one. A spoiled one. Julie: You used to say you liked me like that once. You never wanted me to change. Remember? Preston Dillard: Julie. Julie: [after he kisses her] Why, Pres. In a lady's bedroom. Now you'll have to marry me. Preston Dillard: What do you figure I aim to do? Julie: Then kiss me again. [Julie presents the red dress to her fiancee, Preston] Preston Dillard: You never saw an unmarried girl in anything but white. Julie Marsden: Then you're gonna see one tomorrow night. Julie Marsden: Well, shall we go, Pres? Preston Dillard: Not 'til you're properly dressed. Julie Marsden: You're sure it's the dress? It couldn't be that you're afraid, afraid somebody'd insult me and you'd find it necessary to defend me. [after the duel between Buck Cantrell and Ted Dillard ends tragically] Julie Marsden: Well say it. What are you thinkin'? Aunt Belle: I'm thinkin' of a woman called Jezebel who did evil in the sight of God. Julie: I'm askin' for the chance to prove I can be brave and strong and unselfish. Help me, Amy. Help me make myself clean again as you are clean. Let me prove myself worthy of the love I bear him. Gros Bat: Oh Miss Julie, Miss Julie, Miss Julie ma'am. It's too risky for a white lady, Miss Julie. Me, I kinda mix in with the night. But them sheriff folks ain't foolin'. They're shootin' first and askin' afters. Julie: Bat - you hear me, we're goin'. Aunt Belle: Julie, child, I'm so sorry. Julie: For heaven's sakes, don't be gentle with me now. Do you think I wanna be wept over? I've gotta think, to plan, to fight. Aunt Belle: But you can't fight marriage. Julie: Marriage, is it. To that washed-out little Yankee. Pres is mine. He's always been mine. And if I can't have him... Julie: Your wife? Amy Bradford Dillard: And you're, may I say Julie? Julie: Pres' wife? You're funnin'. Preston Dillard: Hardly. Julie: Married? My felicitations, Pres. Buck Cantrell: Look here, Miss Julie. You were out here a mighty long time with Pres Dillard. Julie: Oh please, Buck. Pres had just been polishin' the brandy and... Buck Cantrell: My back teeth. Did he lose his capacity to drink like a gentleman in the North too? What does he think a lady's house is - a riverboat bar? What did he do? Julie: Oh Buck. I wouldn't have some silly thing I said be the cause of anything. Buck Cantrell: Miss Julie, you won't be the cause of anything. Depend on me. Julie: Thank you, Buck. Julie: Pres, why did you do it? Why, Pres? Preston Dillard: Because I love her. Julie: But you had my love. Preston Dillard: And lost it. Julie: Wasn't that memory more real than anything she had to give to you? Oh, don't be cross with me, Pres, just tell me. You must. Preston Dillard: Please don't, Julie. Julie: Shall I cry for ya? Nobody ever made me cry but you. And that was only twice. Do you remember? Preston Dillard: Yes. Julie: How much do you remember? Preston Dillard: Everything you ever said or did. But that's passed now, Julie. Done, finished. Julie: Pres, I can't believe it's you here. I've dreamed about it so long. A lifetime... No, longer than that. I put on this white dress for you. To help me tell ya how humbly I ask you to forgive me. Buck Cantrell: I like my convictions undiluted, just like my bourbon. Preston Dillard: [tasting one of Uncle Cato's mint juleps] You haven't forgotten how. Uncle Cato: No, sir. The head might forget but the hand remembers. Miss Julie she's right in behind me all day to fix them just the way you used to like them. Preston Dillard: Uncle Cato, how is Miss Julie? Uncle Cato: Miss Julie? Why, she's just Miss Julie. Preston Dillard: Just the same? Uncle Cato: Well, I guess, princesses they just naturally grows up to be queens, that's all. Preston Dillard: Uncle Cato, we've known each other a long time. I'm back now. It's a special occasion. [asking him to have a drink] Will you join me in one? Uncle Cato: [flustered] Why, why, Mr. Pres, ain't hardly proper, but I'll kindly take one out to the pantry and bless you and Miss Julie. General Bogardus: [warning Cantrell about dueling] Cantrell, you're a fool! De Lautuc's an old hand. Been out a dozen times. Buck Cantrell: 13's liable to be unlucky for De Lautruc. You know, these French. They shoot for the head and, like as not, miss. I'm gonna shoot for the body and bust his tripes. Julie Marsden: Don't stand there with your eyes bulging out like that! Julie Marsden: [about Preston] What does it matter who he loves? It's his life that matters. Julie Marsden: [Preston returns after breaking their engagement] Pres, I can't believe it's you here. I dreamed about it so long. A lifetime. No, longer than that. I put on this white dress for you to help me tell ya how humbly I ask you to forgive me. [She drops to the floor] |
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