MovieChat Forums > The Little Foxes (1941) Discussion > MC - Still relevant today

MC - Still relevant today

posted 8 years ago by Sentient Meat (1509)
32 replies | jump to latest

Whenever you hear someone speak wistfully of how the good old days were so much better than today... show them this gem exploring the darkest sides of human nature. Bette Davis plays a sister who along with her two brothers are determined to exploit and bleed everyone in their family and community dry. Teresa Wright plays her naive daughter who slowly begins to understand the the family's true character as they begin to plot against her sickly father. Dan Duryea is excellent as Teresa's weaselly cousin and Patricia Collinge turns in a moving performance as Birdie who is trapped in unhappy marriage to one of Bette's brothers in the film.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

I've heard of it, of course, but haven't seen it. I'm sure Netflix doesn't have it, but maybe I can catch it on YouTube.

[–] Sentient Meat (1509) 8 years ago

Yeah, it's a little hard to find... maybe you can use Netflix DVD program if you can't find it online. It's set in the South around 1900 where you can still feel the vestiges of plantation culture quite strongly. But if you like old black and white classics and Bette Davis, it is one of her best films.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

Ooo, I love things set in the south (particularly New Orleans), and at the turn of the century, and of course Bette Davis.

I'm not signed up with their DVD plan, only streaming. I'm not sure I even have a DVD player anymore. But will check YouTube.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

Found it!

Wow, written by Lillian Hellman and directed by William Wyler? How did I manage to miss this one for so many years?

[–] Sentient Meat (1509) 8 years ago

Oh, great! Hope you enjoy it.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

I did … am, but so far have fallen asleep twice trying to watch it. No fault of the film at all, just very tired.

I really wish I could find it with CCs, because the dialogue is very fast, and the sound is set so low on the one I could find, I have to strain to hear, so am having some trouble following the plot.

The one thing I could get, loud and clear, is Bette is doing an outstanding job playing a royal b!tch! Also, her hair is bigger than any woman wore it in the 80s.

[–] Sentient Meat (1509) 8 years ago

Bette Davis is married to a good man who has a heart condition and has gone away to try to fix his health. Teresa Wright is her daughter who gets caught in the middle. Her two brothers are trying to get her husband to loan them money to execute a deal that they cannot finance themselves. One of the the brothers is married to Bertie (Birdie?)... that scatter brained woman who plays piano but who is unhappy because he only married her because she came from old money and didn't truly love her. Dan Duryea is the son of one of the brothers that they want to marry Teresa Wright to get more control over her sickly father's money even though they are first cousins.

Does that help you get started?

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

Yes, it does, and thank you. I got most of the above, except that Dan Duryea's character was trying to marry Teresa's out of greed. Although I'm not familiar with Duryea, I did find his character intriguing and was having trouble figuring out exactly what he was about. Nor did I twig he's the son of one of the brothers.

Really wish I could find a version with CCs. Low volume makes it worse, but the dialogue is quick and snappy as it is, and I don't want to miss any of it.

[–] Sentient Meat (1509) 8 years ago

He doesn't want to marry her... I think he's neutral... his father wants him to marry her to get access to the family money. He's the one that works at the bank. (Don't want to spoil things if you haven't gotten that far yet)

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

Isn't he the one who, early on, was dismissive and slightly hostile towards her?

[–] Sentient Meat (1509) 8 years ago

Maybe, his character is kind of asexual... he's only interested in plotting and helping to secure the money for the scheme.

[–] kspkap (13567) 8 years ago

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[–] kspkap (13567) 8 years ago

I watched "The Little Foxes" DVD this week-end. Bette Davis played one hellacious bitch! The avarice depicted by Regina (Davis)and her brothers, Oscar (poor Birdie's cad of a husband & Leo's (Dan Duryea) dad was beyond the pale! Dan Duryea was a character actor who seemed to always play smarmy roles. I would have preferred a "I know what you did" ending, but let's just say Regina truly didn't give a rat's patootie when all was said and done, the controlling witch!

I was curious where location shooting was done as I noticed moss hanging on trees in the beginning. Being a Southern I researched the movie locations. (I always have my Ipad near when viewing films & tv) One location was the Belle Helene plantation near Baton Rouge. The mansion is historic with some interesting reading about it online. The mansion has been used in several well known movies, " Band of Angels (1957) where it also appeared on the movie poster;[18] The Beguiled (1971), The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1971), Mandingo (1975), The Long, Hot Summer (1985) and Fletch Lives (1989)"

Do watch Mandingo if you all haven't seen it...quite risqué. I also watched "Me Before You" which brought some tears. I'm also binge watching "Endeavour", prequel to "Inspector Morse".

"Those Lovely Bones" still haunts me after viewing it quite awhile ago. But, I think "Changeling" with Angilina Jolie will stay with me forever as I researched that true story.

[–] Sentient Meat (1509) 8 years ago

Even had they said I know what you did... I think it'd be hard to do anything about it in a court of law... her punishment was her daughter declaring her freedom. But then again, I'm not even sure that resonated all that much, those three were beyond redemption.

Thanks for the info about the locations.

[–] kspkap (13567) 8 years ago

Being the controlling witch she was, to the point of not giving her husband his medicine, watching him die without compunction, I believe the only reason she had that grievous look on her face was....she lost control of her daughter...not losing her daughter. Regina was a narcissistic controlling bitch!

There are numerous photos of the 1841 mansion, showing how it was left to ruin, eventually the Shell Corp. purchased and restored it. When the Antebellum mansion was built it was one of the finest. We don't need to question who built it....we all know....

[–] Sentient Meat (1509) 8 years ago

Yeah, maybe she suffered... but I think if the director really wanted to convey that... he might have used a tight close up of her anguished face with a tear spilling down her cheek. I'm sure she was vexed but I think it would be business as usual for her soon after.

Terrible family, that group.

[–] kspkap (13567) 8 years ago

Being in that "old age" group I'm sure I've seen it, but I just added it to my DVD queue. They didn't come any better than Bette Davis. She could play any role she took on. The only movie I detested with her as co-star....both movie and her role....was "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?", 1962. I saw it when released. I never did like Joan Crawford who co-starred.

Come to think of it, I prefer movies produced in the '30's, '40's and '50's. Especially film noir. There were very few I liked from the '60's and '70's. Times were a changing....

[–] Drmccormack (743) 8 years ago

This is such a great movie. It was so well done, in every aspect. You are so right to mention Dan Duryea. He was definitely typecast but, my God, he was so good at being a creep! That voice. Ewww! Also,I have a soft spot for Herbert Marshall. I'm not sure what it is about him, maybe it's his voice, but he always gave a solid performance. Thanks for posting on here. You've reminded me to look out for this to rewatch it.

[–] Sentient Meat (1509) 8 years ago

I just discovered Dan Duryea recently in a Twilight Zone episode and in Scarlet Street... He played a horrible character in that one as well... very good at playing sleazy. I agree Herbert Marshall was quite convincing as the moral center of "Foxes" with the bad ticker... could feel his pain every time he had to listen to his family speak.

[–] Drmccormack (743) 8 years ago

I don't know if you're old enough,but do you remember when Jon Lovette on SNL used to do an impression on Dan Duryea where he used to say, "Yeah! That's the ticket!"? Or at least I always thought it was based on Dan Duryea. Anyway, he was something smarmy in nearly every movie. He was so good at it.

[–] Sentient Meat (1509) 8 years ago

Yes I remember that character... now that you mention it, it does sound a bit similar. I wonder if he ever gave credit in an interview for that inspiration.

[–] Drmccormack (743) 8 years ago

I have to admit that I have no idea. It just sounded so much like him that I assumed it was. Well, you know what they say about assuming.

[–] Terrygg (544) 8 years ago

Actually this movie isn't relevant today. It's very dated.

[–] spiderwort (11) 8 years ago

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[–] Terrygg (544) 8 years ago

This movie is not Shakespeare. Stop comparing apples to oranges.

[–] spiderwort (11) 8 years ago

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[–] Terrygg (544) 8 years ago

Shakespeare was a genius and Hellman isn't. Apples and oranges.

[–] spiderwort (11) 8 years ago

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[–] spiderwort (11) 8 years ago

One of my favorite William Wyler, Bette Davis, and Lillian Hellman films. So beautifully done. And I thought Teresa Wright more than held her own with the redoubtable Bette Davis. They were a great team. But everyone in the film was so good, thanks to Wyler's amazing direction. It's very much a film worth watching for those who so often reject the idea of classic films.

[–] Sentient Meat (1509) 8 years ago

Yes, Teresa Wright was an underrated actress... still remember her fine performance in Shadow of a Doubt.

[–] spiderwort (11) 8 years ago

Oh, SHADOW OF A DOUBT - now there's another great film (Hitchcock himself said it was his best)! In any case, Wright was great in that, too, and also (and this is my most favorite) in THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES. She was nominated for three Oscars, including THE LITTLE FOXES, and won for MRS. MINIVER (oh, another great role!). Wonderful actress.

[–] Sentient Meat (1509) 8 years ago

Love Best Years of Our Lives... haven't seen Mrs. Miniver in years so I forgot she was in that one... I'll have to rewatch that one soon. Also, Pride of the Yankees... another great classic.