Jezebel (1938)

Fay Bainter: Aunt Belle Massey

Photos 

Quotes 

• 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 stand together on what ought to be done about it. Now it's busted loose, he's coming 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 ought to, Miss Belle. She's more like you than you ever were.

  Aunt Belle : Maybe I love her most when she's her meanest, because I know that's when she's loving most.

• 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 going to. This is 1852, dumpling, 1852! Not the Dark Ages. Girls don't have to simper 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 thinking of.

• [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.

• Aunt Belle : And expecting a man to go to a dressmaker's with you! I declare, I hope Pres doesn't come!

  Julie : He will.

  Aunt Belle : But, Julie!

  Julie : Now, dumpling, don't you fret about Pres. I've been training him for years!

  Aunt Belle : Like with that man-killing horse you bought!

  Julie : Pres was outrageous! He had no right to tell me what I could ride and what I couldn't!

  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 triumphantly] 

• 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...