The Little Foxes

The Little Foxes (1941)

  • 100% of critics liked it
    (14 reviews)

  • 85% of users liked it
    (3,292 ratings)

Playwright Lillian Hellman first wrote of the horrible Hubbard family in her 1939 play The Little Foxes. In this lavish 1941 film version, Bette Davis takes over for Broadway's Tallulah Bankhead in the role of conniving turn-of-the-century Southern aristocrat Regina Hubbard Giddens. Regina's… More

PG-13,
Directed By
Written By
Lillian Hellman, Arthur Kober, Dorothy Parker, Alan Campbell
Genres
Drama, Classics
In Theaters
Aug 21, 1941 Limited
On DVD
Sep 18, 2001
RKO

Critic Reviews

  • Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

    When viewed today, the hysterical melodrama seems creaky.

  • Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

    Significantly (and surprisingly) the nasty tone of Hellman's morality drama about corruption and greed in a Southern clan remained intact, allowing Bette Davis (in a role that Bankhead originated on stage) to shine as the amoral and immoral matriarch

  • Randy Shulman, Metro Weekly (Washington, DC)

    One of the best films ever made.

  • Matt Bailey, Not Coming to a Theater Near You

    The Little Foxes is worth seeing for a number of reasons from its beautiful and innovative cinematography to the striking and mordantly witty screenplay.

  • Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online

    A sharp and entertaining adaptation of the Lillian Hellman play.

Read all 7 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Jennifer X


    This is no doubt Bette Davis is an inimitable force when it comes to dramatic acting, but the story of a poisoned family clan fighting over money and female empowerment just doesn't interest me that much. Watch this movie for the performances, but this is neither Davis's or… More

  • Megan S


    I actually found this movie version a tad more interesting than the play version that I saw. They added a love interest for the young daughter and he was a goof which lightened the mood at times with some comedy.

  • Veronique K


    the fable of little foxes craving for the sweet vines then wrecking the town is adequate for the story. bette davis plays another power-thirsty strong female who solicits what she wants at any cost. davis's role is an eager opportunist who is desperate to hold everything right… More

  • jay n


    if you like bette when she's bad she's a pit viper here

  • John M


    Excellent villain interpretation by Bette Davis the rest of the actors are all very good, all giving strong performances. Perfectly directed, this film is brilliant from beginning to end. The beautiful black and white, clean editing and the wonderful score, all help to make this… More

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Cast

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