This movie had to ruffle some feathers

I was rather shocked at how realistic this film was considering the time period. And what a brave cast for being involved. First off Bette Davis plays an extremely reprehensible character rarely seen on film before the 1960s. She's a woman who runs off with her sister's husband with no other reason than she's a self-centered hag. And then when she kills someone, she does something rather common during this period, she blames it on a person of color because who believes them. She capitalizes on her uncle's incestuous feelings for her by getting whatever she wants.

The accurate portrayal of African Americans and their place in society was quite progressive. So much so, it cost the film it's international distribution.