ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST, 1948. This is the prequel to THE LITTLE FOXES, both written by Lillian Hellman.
Though not nearly as well known as its predecessor it's still a riveting movie about some really nasty people. The Hubbards of Alabama are a ruthless scheming family and the wonderful cast plays it to the hilt.
Fredric March is the patriarch, Florence Eldridge plays his long suffering wife (they were real life husband and wife). Ann Blyth plays a young Regina and though not as villainess as Bette Davis gives a performance to rival her turn as Veda three years earlier in MILDRED PIERCE. Rounding out the cast are Dan Duryea as Oscar, Edmond O'Brien as Ben and Betsy Blair as Birdie. All are excellent.
Michael Gordon is not William Wyler but his direction is excellent and he keeps the camera moving supplying some needed action to a very dense script.
It plays out like a combination between a Greek tragedy and Eugene O'Neill.
If you like your drama heavy, dark, nasty and dripping with moss, molasses, maple and magnolia then check this out.
Though not nearly as well known as its predecessor it's still a riveting movie about some really nasty people. The Hubbards of Alabama are a ruthless scheming family and the wonderful cast plays it to the hilt.
Fredric March is the patriarch, Florence Eldridge plays his long suffering wife (they were real life husband and wife). Ann Blyth plays a young Regina and though not as villainess as Bette Davis gives a performance to rival her turn as Veda three years earlier in MILDRED PIERCE. Rounding out the cast are Dan Duryea as Oscar, Edmond O'Brien as Ben and Betsy Blair as Birdie. All are excellent.
Michael Gordon is not William Wyler but his direction is excellent and he keeps the camera moving supplying some needed action to a very dense script.
It plays out like a combination between a Greek tragedy and Eugene O'Neill.
If you like your drama heavy, dark, nasty and dripping with moss, molasses, maple and magnolia then check this out.