The Little Foxes, released in 1941, marked the concluding chapter of a celebrated partnership between Bette Davis and director William Wyler. Prior collaborations included Jezebel (1938) and The Letter (1940). Set in the Southern United States during the early 20th century, the story revolves around a deal to establish cotton mills—and generate substantial profits—for the grasping Hubbard family. Ben Hubbard and his brother Oscar require an additional $75,000 to finalize the agreement. Regina, their sister, is determined to participate in the venture and expects her husband, Horace, to provide the necessary funds. However, their marriage has deteriorated significantly, compounded by Horace’s extended absence in Baltimore due to a serious heart condition. Undeterred, Regina dispatches her 17-year-old daughter, Alexandra, to retrieve him. Upon his return home, Horace voices his opposition to their questionable business practices, but his failing health leaves him vulnerable. Sensing an opportunity, those involved begin to close in. The film received a nomination for Best Picture in 1941, ultimately losing to How Green Was My Valley. Bette Davis earned a Best Actress nod, while Teresa Wright and Patricia Collinge were both recognized as potential Best Supporting Actresses. Joan Fontaine’s performance in Suspicion secured Davis' defeat, and Mary Astor won the Best Supporting Actress award for The Great Lie. It is regrettable that Herbert Marshall, an accomplished actor largely forgotten today, did not receive a nomination for his moving and subtly portrayed role as Horace Giddens. While Marshall enjoyed considerable popularity as a romantic lead during the 1930s, I believe his portrayal of the gentle, ailing Horace represents the pinnacle of his career, especially given his age at the time. Five members of the original Broadway cast returned to reprise their roles: Charles Dingle (as Ben Hubbard), Carl Benton Reid (as Oscar Hubbard), Dan Duryea (as Leo Hubbard), Patricia Collinge (as Birdie Hubbard), and John Marriott (as Cal). Lillian Hellman penned the screenplay, adapting it from her successful stage play. She also introduced a character not present in the original work: Alexandra’s boyfriend, David Hewitt (played by Richard Carlson). Hellman explained this addition was to provide an additional sympathetic male figure alongside Horace Giddens. The Little Foxes is a quintessential melodrama and may not appeal to all viewers. It remains one of my favorite films, particularly for its exploration of such troubling themes. I suggest approaching it with careful consideration; and when you gather with your family for holidays, hopefully, you can appreciate that even the most eccentric relatives aren’t as terrible as the Hubbard clan.

Source on TMDB