The Little Foxes (1941) Movie Review
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- Опубликовано: 22 апр 2023
- Here are some of my thoughts on The Little Foxes, a dark drama directed by William Wyler and starring Bette Davis and Herbert Marshall (but featuring a lot of other great people too). Hope you enjoy the video!
Special thanks to everyone who helps support the channel at ko-fi.com/weiselberry ! 
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Maybe the film term you were looking for is "Rule of Thirds: The rule of thirds is the basic rule of composition in film production. Divide the frame visually into thirds horizontally and vertically, so the image is divided into nine equal parts, which creates control points. Place your main objects along or within these lines, or their intersection. Almost all filmmakers and experienced videographers use this rule for filming to make the image more interesting and dynamic."
I considered that it might be Rule of Thirds, but when I looked that up for clarification, it didn't seem to fit what I was thinking of. But maybe it is the right term after all?
Your old school movie review content is superb Jerome! Love it!
How can someone so young know so much about the great old classics? Her terrific brain must absorb information like a sponge!
@@epsteinisms1483 If she's anything like me, then the answer to your conjecture is yes. Speaking for myself, I'd say half or more of my brain space is occupied solely by classic movie info and trivia. There just aren't enough of us young classic film fanatics out there!
I loved Teresa Wright. My friend met her in London in the late '70s and said she was delightful and thanked her for asking for her autograph.
Fantastic film, a must see for any true film buff. Yes Teresa Wright is lovely, Bettie Davis monstrous. Top shelf all the way.
William Wyler - perhaps the greatest director of all time.
The Little Foxes is a really good film and an enjoyable watch in spite of it having so many toxic characters, Bette Davis was terrific, I actually never noticed she was wearing that white makeup until you mentioned it. Dan Duryea was so good at playing sleazy and with him being a nice person I wonder how his film image affected his personal life. Birdie seemed like someone very caring and full of love so when she admitted that she didn’t like her own son, she disliked him more than any of the other terrible people around her including an abusive husband shows what a terrible person the character Leo must actually be, I felt so bad for Birdie, Patricia Collinge was great. Herbert Marshall did have a really sympathetic face and I agree, I think he worked well in these kind of roles. Charles Dingles performance stood out too, he managed to play sleazy and greedy but he also remained just within the limits of decency, barely mind you, he wasn’t a sore loser and seemed to actually care to a degree about Horace’s health. Always like Teresa Wright, favourite of mine too and she was great in this. Regina was horrible, her terrible inaction harmed her husband and her daughter but she didn’t care as long as she got what she wanted, how her daughter would feel didn’t cross her mind because she only cared about herself, I like that she was afraid to go into the bedroom alone, I saw it as the guilt of her actions catching up with her. The relationship between Regina and Horace is really interesting, he loved her at one point so what was she like then and how soon did he realise she didn’t love him back. I believe there’s a scene blocking technique where actors are placed in a triangle because it’s easier for an audience to take in what’s happening and know where each actor is placed, three or more. Leonardo Da Vinci and Raphael would also paint in a pyramid believing those looking at their paintings would naturally follow from one corner to the next although you wouldn’t consciously notice the triangle shape itself within the image. I also remember reading something about cinematography and the rule of thirds, more than likely none of these is a name for what Toland has done, Toland’s shots really stand out and I wouldn’t be surprised if they were unique to him, Amazing! again it’s something I hadn’t noticed until you mentioned it. Fantastic review!
~Thank you Ms Weiselberry ~
"The Little Foxes" is far and away one of my favorite movies ever. In fact, (said it many a time before and I'll say it again) my cinematic soap box is that Herbert Marshall should have gotten Best Actor for his performance here. Or, at the very least, a nomination. He was a great actor, but I believe that his part as Horace Giddens was the best thing he ever did. Thank you for this lovely review - and thanks for pointing out the symbolism and consistency in Gregg Toland's cinematography. I knew the cinematography was great, but you brought my understanding of it to the next level.
Collinge is never given enough credit for her performance. The contrast of Regina and Birdie is so brilliant. Hellman was a terrific writer.
William Wyler is my favorite director of all time, I'd like to see more reviews of his films.
I really enjoyed your review, which is very articulate while still being easy to absorb. For what it's worth, my favourite moment in this film is when Regina picks up a framed photograph of her younger self and gingerly approaches the mirror for a comparison. It only lasts a few seconds but manages to convey a lot of unsaid thoughts filling that character's mind. The little one-off musical piece tops it off.
It's great to see a well-informed, thoughtful and eloquent presentation. So many small channels of this sort consist mostly of the presenter saying they like or don't like the film, and that's about it. There's a lot more substance here. This makes me feel like revisiting The Little Foxes. Bette Davis is my favorite screen actress and it's been too long. I might use it as a springboard for a mini-Wyler fest.
Very happy to see Patricia Collinge again, I recognized her from Shadow of the Doubt but have not seen her in anything else. Will have to check this out now thanks!
Thank you Jerome for the Little Foxes well deserved review. No matter how many times I’ve watched the movie there is always something new to discover. As usual your keen eye and taste have touched on all the key points.-of performances, cinematography, direction, editing and composition. Possible thought for review consideration might be “The Heiress”.
This is a devastating film. My mother and I chanced across it in the 80's and were hooked. Regina sitting frozen as Marshall tries to climb the stairs and dies; Carlson slapping Duryea's character feels so real...and the poor aunt in a loveless marriage and taking to the bottle. Fantastic film.
Thanks for this super neat review!
Hi friend!
I haven't seen this film, but I love your notes! Looks like you were solving an equation! Lol 😅 Good job! Have a blessed day!
I know this one only because it's one of those TCM movies I caught my father watching just a month or so ago. I showed up late for it but in time for That Scene. I don't know if I'd ever want to sit down to the whole thing, but That Scene is memorable.
I have always wanted to investigate Bette Davis but for some reason it has never happened - nothing ever sounded interesting. I think you have solved my problem and I am putting Little Foxes on my list. Also, I was busy last week and failed to respond to your review of Gamera vs. Gyaos. I understand that not everyone likes giant turtles with bad breath and a raspy voice😪... That kid, however, should have been eaten!
The Little Foxes is a great place to start if you want to investigate Bette Davis, because it's one of her best movies with great writing, directing, cinematography and an ensemble cast (which means this isn't just a Bette Davis vehicle, it's a great movie that happens to have Bette Davis in one of the central roles.) It's my favorite movie starring Bette Davis, but it gets better with multiple viewings- and you have to be patient, as the first 30 minutes are the weakest of the film, imho. The film slowly builds to a chilling climax. I hope you enjoy it. Of course, if you want to see Bette Davis in her most iconic role, Margo Channing, then see All About Eve, which won Best Picture in 1950 and still holds the record of most nominations (14 nominations and the most for female actresses in Academy history.)
Having 3 focal points in a painting is a structural strategy much older than films. An art teacher told me it serves to draw the viewer's eye around the canvas and through the foreground, midground, and background. This video is missing one of your signature observations--a reference to Joseph Cotton when discussing Teresa Wright's other films!
Yes, I figured it must be an art and still photography principle as well. Some of my dot notes were supposed to copy that foreground, middleground, and background representation, though I'm not sure how apparent that is.
Haha, I was *this* close to using an image that included Joseph Cotten!
Jerome, thanks for this review that manages to be concise and in depth at the same time. I watched the film very late on Saturday, and after around 30 minutes I was transfixed. It just pulled me in and felt very real. I had never seen/noticed Herbert Marshall before, or the actor who played Uncle Ben. Both outstanding in different ways. I could really feel Horace's pain as the mosquitos buzzed around him. Perfection. Thanks for pointing out the (several) things I missed, as well as the notebook markings. Great movie, excellent review.
I'll have to look out for this one.
You're such a blast to watch, Sister Jerome.
Thanks!
I think this channel cleanses my soul lmaooo
One of my favorite movies of the golden age -- brilliant performances -- and in the realm of Lillian Hellman adaptations, it stands up while, alas something like "Watch on the Rhine" has become essentially unwatchable.
Oh, and the business , whoever came up with it, with that little wisp of hair that's constantly dangling in front of Bette Davis's face, forcing her to brush it away -- it's so brilliant.
After becoming a huge fan of Bette last year I went through many of her movies. This was one of those movies I watched and I too liked it. Bette knew how to play a nasty lady without being too over the top. My favorite characters in this was her daughter in the movie, Teresa Wright and her love interest. On a side note I love seeing Richard Carlson who was in one of my favorite movies of all time, Presenting Lily Mars with Judy Garland.
Going to check this out tonight in a double bill with Jezebel at The New Beverly. Thanks for the general rundown.
William Wyler is fast becoming one of my favourite directors. I had already seen Ben Hur (1959), The Collector (1965), and Mrs. Miniver (1942). And this month I have watched The Letter (1940), and Carrie (1952). That's five great films. I will let you know my thoughts on The Little Foxes. IMDb classifies it under drama and romance. I'm not a big fan of straight melodrama so there's a good chance I'll lose interest after ten minutes. Update: I bailed at about 35 minutes. Not my cup of tea. Sorry.
I recommend Wuthering Heights and The Best Years of Our Lives. Those are my favourites of his !
Have you seen Roman Holiday (1953) with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn?
I wish you had stayed with the film for another 30 minutes, because the film starts off slowly, but builds suspense as it moves along. The last 30 minutes of the film are must-see Davis, imho. Sir Laurence Olivier said once of Bette Davis: "She never fails you at the climax."
OMG the hat! The hat is the whole movie!!! Especially when you look closely and notice how the hatpin is used. The hat!!!
Hi Jerome! I love "The Little Foxes", although I haven't seen it in years! I should give it another watch soon. I completely agree with you about preferring Herbert Marshall's more mature roles to his early leading man ones. He was always likable and good but he played those later roles in such a wonderfully nuanced and lived-in manner. I always found them more profound and believable. On another note, I always felt that William Wyler, as respected as he is, still doesn't get as much credit as he deserves. The depth, breadth, and variety of his work is so astounding, with classics like "Dodsworth", "Come and Get It" (even though he didn't like taking over from Howard Hawks on it), "Dead End", "Jezebel", "Wuthering Heights", "The Letter", "Mrs. Miniver", the sublime "The Best Years of Our Lives", "The Heiress", "Detective Story", the delightful "Roman Holiday", "The Desperate Hours", "Friendly Persuasion", "The Big Country", "Ben Hur", "The Collector", "How to Steal a Million" and "Funny Girl". Personally, I think that with the consistent quality and sophistication of his films, his name should be thrown about much as those of Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, Stanley Kubrick or Steven Spielberg.
Love anything Bette is in, big fan.
Thanks for the review. Yes I remember that Bette Davis scene! Unexpected.
Deep focus is achieved by narrowing the iris of the camera shutter, which would require more lighting to compensate. Selective focus is achieved by opening up the iris. If you have an SLR camera you can see it yourself by looking through the viewfinder. Great review!!!
Based on your review , I will have to give this one a look .
Thanks for the recommendation !!
Oh, have you seen YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, and what do you think of it? This is my favorite Capra film, funny, charming, and Jean Arthur, whose books I'd carry any day.
I only saw the first 20 or 30 minutes and that was quite a few years ago, I'm afraid.
Thank you for mentioning the streaming service. I’ve not seen it but will check it out tonight.
I imagine that scene caused a few to gasp in 1941.Searching online I see Carol Burnett did a sketch of Little Foxes back in the 1970s.
Ah yes, haha, I believe I've seen that. :)
One of my favorite movies.
Of course I know THE scene to which you referred. Quite famous. And I'm guessing you already know the back story about how it was filmed. Did you know that Hitchcock ran into a similar "wooden leg" problem while filming "Foreign Correspondent"? Herbert Marshall had to appear to climb THREE flights of stairs! How Hitch got around that cinematic problem is sheer genius! Check it out.
You are very perceptive to note the three figure shots that are so prevalent in this film. I don't think that there is a special name for it. It is just good composition. The odd thing is why isn't it more common in other films. If there are three focal points in a shot, it is just more pleasing than two or one. Your eye will move among the three figures and this creates more interest. Many of the shots in this film remind me of 'Citizen Kane', where Greg Toland was also the cinematographer. In this film, even the shots involving just two characters are more interesting. Like in the scene you referred to which would spoil the movie if you gave details. The common way to handle that would be to cut back and forth between the two characters. But here there is action taking place in the background while another character is reacting in the foreground. That happens a lot in this film. Toland's use of deep focus shots was remarkable!
I put off seeing this film because I thought it would be too much of a 'soap opera', but I shouldn't have, given what I know of the careers of the contributors. Dorothy Parker contributed to the dialogue. I bet she had something to do with the sharp remarks of the Betty Davis character.
Sometimes it is hard to comment on your videos because you make such thoroughly keen observations that there is nothing left to say except to agree with you. I really appreciate your work. And really liked seeing the shot of your handwritten notes. That was a nice touch!
I love Bette Davis and William Wyler so definitely going to give this a watch soon 😊
The Little Foxes set in 1900 is making some very contemporary comments about society and human nature.Things don't
change as much as we think.Davis and her brothers are unrepentant in their actions.They never face the consequences like we expect.
Although it is clear that for all their gains.They have lost their souls.Davis playing more sympathetically would have undermined
the story.It would have appeared false.
I have seen the "Give me my meds!" scene in other films.Is this the original?
Dan Duryea imbues his performance with an unusual quality.Oddly compelling.
Gregg Toland 1941:also Citizen Kane.
Teresa Wright was adorable in her introductory scene in the following years Mrs. Miniver.
Glad you gave a screenshot to the bird in the hat.Did not notice it.Very metaphorical.
Recently I had the pleasure of watching The Whales of August (1987).It was sad to see Bette Davis look so frail.
She still had some of the old fire in her.Put on such good display in Foxes.
Your handwriting made me wonder.Does Jerome Weiselberry have a signature?
Thank you.
The hat is the ultimate metaphoric image. Check out the hatpin, and that's Regina's character right there!!
@@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288
Thank you for sharing your point about
the hatpin.I have been taught.
Go the Bronx!
The HAT! BTW if you have ever seen "Now Voyager," you will see the great Bette Davis working a very different hat as she disembarks from the ship. Yum. Enjoy.
@@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288
I have seen "Now Voyager."I went back.
To check out the hat.And indeed.It is
some hat alright.Representing Bette's
newfound confidence.And you need
confidence to handle a hat like that.
I will start paying more attention to
movie hats from now on.Thank you.
those dresses
Big Jerome Weiselberry fan btw
I was going to mention this before, but I finally found it. There is a skit on youtube from the Carol Burnett show (a really funny variety comedy show from the 70s-think of a cleaner SNL) of Little Foxes
Haha, yes, I've seen that before. Her classic film parodies are hilarious.
A great play. Lillian Hellman really got to the core of human venality hidden behind all the social covers. I didn’t know that the newspaper kid was added for the film. Makes sense. He did always seem a bit too one dimensional. That’s Hollywood, I guess: gotta have girl meets boy. Otherwise fantastic performances. I heard once that Herbert Marshall could not play the scene on the stairs because of losing his leg in WWI. Apparently that was a stand in.
It's funny how some of the most enjoyable movies have some of the most despicable characters, especially if we see them get their comeuppance. We may not be able to humble them, but a good story teller can.
Please review THE LETTER and explain the story. I could never get into it. Txs.
Haha, I had trouble getting into it too. :)
I would love a review of THE LETTER, JEZEBEL, DARK VICTORY or THE OLD MAID (all great films, imho). Thanks!
@JeromeWeiselberry >>> Great video...👍
I think "rule of thirds" is what you are looking for, but I'm a still photographer, not a videographer
movie is a great improvement over the play. lillian hellman's simplistic ideology and resulting ideological bigotry, is hard to listen to unfiltered, and movie is well filtered, by directer, actors, etc..
I agree. I've read the play and seen 3 productions of it. Neither came close to the excellence of the film. William Wyler worked with playwright Lillian Hellman on the adaptation and late in her life, Lillian Hellman publicly stated that Wyler's film came closest to what she intended with the play.