Julie Marsden (Davis) is a willful New Orleans belle engaged to banker Preston Dillard (Fonda) in the antebellum South. Julie is also needy and manipulative, which soon drives Pres away. He later returns with a wife, which foils Julie's plans for a reconciliation. After finding new ways to cause mischief among the menfolk, Julie seizes one final chance to redeem herself.

Jezebel was Davis's consolation prize for not landing the part of Scarlett O'Hara. Inevitably compared to “Gone With the Wind” (released one year later), this lavish melodrama stands on its own, thanks to Wylers expert direction and his camera's loving attention to Warner's biggest female star. Davis, who nabbed her second Best Actress Oscar for this, is superb and looks glorious, while Fonda is suitably restrained as Pres. Don't miss the famous scene at the ball.