I hated Fanny

I don't think we were really meant to like Fanny in either the novel or the film, the point being that such vain women lead empty lives, having nothing to give of themselves (or being unable to give it), and usually end up alone. This was another of Davis's uncompromising performances, as she herself admitted she had no patience with such women.

"'Nature,' Mr. Allnut, is what we are put here to rrrrrriiiiise above!"

I find your comment interesting for how much it differs from my views.

I've always thought the ending to The Little Foxes rings false. Regina is so strong, so willful, ruthlessly so. Yet suddenly at the end, when Alexandra expresses some enmity, we're supposed to believe Regina is disturbed, even spooked, by this turn. I'm never buying it.

I can see that you're not alone in hating Fanny. A number of other commenters seem to feel as you do. I have a much softer take on her. It may be unreasonable, but I'll try to explain it. I see Fanny as a kind of mental case, someone psychologically damaged. The early loss of her parents and their unconditional love leaves her with the notion that her beauty is her only value. It explains her desperate love of her brother. And it may explain her need to be continually admired, but only on a superficial level, nothing too deep. I don't see her as fundamentally bad, as is Regina, who is quite wicked. So for me the ending of Mr. Skeffington is enormously satisfying. The empathy she feels for Job in the end is real. Beneath all the perverted mess that is Fanny, there is a root of goodness.

More pitied her because she seemed unable to develop herself, despite having every opportunity.