All About Eve is a 1950 American drama film written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck. The film revolves around the story of a seemingly timid but secretly ruthless ingénue, Eve Harrington, who insinuates herself into the lives of an aging Broadway star, Margo Channing, and her circle of theater friends.
The movie received critical acclaim and won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It is known for its sharp and clever dialogue, and it is considered a classic Hollywood film that has only improved with age. Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, and George Sanders are among the main cast members. The film is celebrated for its acid wit and its portrayal of the ruthlessness of show business.
Plot
Eve Harrington, a seemingly naïve and aspiring actress, approaches Margo Channing, a renowned Broadway star, after a performance. Eve's admiration for Margo is evident, and she quickly charms her way into Margo's inner circle, becoming her assistant and confidante.
As Eve gains Margo's trust, she begins to subtly manipulate her, subtly undermining her confidence and sabotaging her career. Eve's ambition knows no bounds, and she will stop at nothing to replace Margo as the leading lady of Broadway.
Margo, initially blinded by Eve's feigned loyalty, soon realizes the extent of her protégé's treachery. She witnesses Eve's calculated moves, including her attempt to steal Margo's fiancé, Bill Simpson.
As Eve's star rises, Margo's career begins to fade. She struggles to cope with the aging process and the loss of her leading lady status. However, Margo's resilience shines through, and she eventually confronts Eve, exposing her manipulative nature to the world.
In a climactic showdown, Margo delivers a scathing monologue, unmasking Eve's true character and exposing her relentless ambition. Eve's carefully constructed façade crumbles, and she is left alone, ostracized by the theatrical community she so desperately sought to conquer.
Trailer
Cast
- Bette Davis as Margo Channing
- Anne Baxter as Eve Harrington
- George Sanders as Addison DeWitt
- Celeste Holm as Karen Richards
- Gary Merrill as Bill Sampson
- Hugh Marlowe as Lloyd Richards
- Thelma Ritter as Birdie Coonan
- Marilyn Monroe as Claudia Casswell
- Gregory Ratoff as Max Fabian
- Barbara Bates as Phoebe
- Walter Hampden as Aged Actor (Sarah Siddons Award presenter)
- Randy Stuart as Girl
- Craig Hill as Leading Man
- Leland Harris as Doorman
- Barbara White as Autograph Seeker
- Eddie Fisher as Stage Manager
- William Pullen as Clerk
- Claude Stroud as Pianist (at party)
- Eugene Borden as Frenchman
- Helen Mowery as Reporter
- Steven Geray as Captain of Waiters.
Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Writer: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Genre: Drama
Box Office (Gross USA): $151,052
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, Fox
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 13, 1950
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Themes & reception
- Ambition v. Tradition for Women
- The Treatment of Aging Actresses
- Paradise Lost
- The Cyclical Nature of Fame
- Theatre and Deception
The film's reception has been positive, with critical acclaim for its exploration of themes and its portrayal of the entertainment industry. The movie is celebrated for its sharp and clever dialogue, and it is considered a classic Hollywood film that has only improved with age.
Challenges Faced
During the production of All About Eve, challenges were faced, including Marilyn Monroe's limited availability, which posed challenges as her scenes had to be reduced. Additionally, differences in thematic tensions in the screenplay presented challenges to the desire to produce theater in a specific tradition. The film's exploration of the impact of filmic techniques and the romanticism of theater also presented challenges during production).
Visual styles & techniques
The visual styles and techniques in "All About Eve" include the impact of filmic techniques on storytelling and the romanticism of theater. The film uses music to signal to the audience that Eve should not be trusted, demonstrating the influence of filmic techniques, which the theater cannot possess. While the audience can sense something is off with Eve, the characters in the theater become lost in the storytelling, implying that the romanticism of theater leads them to fall for Eve's deception.
The film's dialogue is made up of 'delivered' lines, which is a departure from the style of filmmaking modern audiences are used to. Additionally, the tension between thematic tensions in the screenplay and the desire to produce theater in a specific tradition presented challenges during production.
Setting
The setting of "All About Eve" is Broadway in 1950, and the story takes place over a few months in the "present day" of that time period.
Trivia
- The film won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
- Bette Davis was originally supposed to play the role of Karen Richards, but she insisted on playing Margo Channing instead
- Marilyn Monroe had a small role in the film as Claudia Casswell, which helped to launch her career.
- The film's title is a reference to the biblical story of Adam and Eve.
- The film is the only one in history to earn four female acting nominations.
- The film's screenplay was based on a short story called "The Wisdom of Eve" by Mary Orr, which was inspired by a real-life incident involving a young woman who tried to steal the career of a European stage and screen actress.
- The film's dialogue is known for its sharp and clever wit, and it is considered a classic Hollywood film that has only improved with age.
Fun Fact
- The famous line "Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night" was said by Margo Channing.
- Bette Davis and Anne Baxter were both nominated for Best Actress Oscar for their roles in the film.
- The Sarah Siddons Society, a real-life group of actors, was portrayed in the movie as a musty old boring group of self-congratulatory actors. Interestingly, Bette Davis received the award in 1973, and Anne Baxter presented it to her. The real Sarah Siddons statuette was designed to be identical to the one in the film.
- The interior and exterior shots of The Curran Theatre in San Francisco, California, were used as a Broadway setting for the movie. Eddie Fisher, a local actor and stage manager of the venue, was hired to be the stage manager of the film.
- The movie's success allowed for greater opportunities for women in Hollywood, breaking new ground for female-driven stories.
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