All About Eve
by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Anne Baxter, Bette Davis, Celeste Holm, Gary Merrill, George SandersDirector: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Brand: Fox
Cinematographer: Milton R. Krasner
Writer: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Editor: Barbara McLean
Producer: Darryl F. Zanuck
Writer: Erich Kästner
Writer: Mary Orr
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; Spanish (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Black & White, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 138 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-01-14
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation
Product features:
- Condition: New
- Format: DVD
- Black & White; DVD; NTSC
Movie Reviews of All About Eve
Movie Review: a timeless movie not to be missed
Summary: 5 Stars
What made this great movie the way it is? The superb directing, well-crafted script and the tour-de-force performance of the wonderful cast. The opening 5 minutes set off the mood of suspense - the close shot of a pair of young hands, the indifference of the Broadway diva Margo Channing (Bette Davis), her best friend Karen Richards (Celeste Holm), Best Director Bill Sampson (Gary Merrill) and Best Playwright Lloyd Richards (Hugh Marlowe) provided a stark contrast against the ovation greeting Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter) - the youngest recipient of the prestigious outstanding achievement award. Not to mention the layback yet enticing monologue by the play critic Addison DeWitt (George Sanders) who might fool the audience with his neutrality of an outsider. But surely not, a critic could make or break a play and a newcomer. And Addison was instrumental to Eve's success. Thus began the 130-minute recapture of Eve's unbelievable conquest of Broadway, and across the nation, in just nine months.
Anne Baxter was Eve, the young, ambitious and beautiful in sheep's skin. Her tricks - disguised in utmost sincerity, thoughtfulness, modesty - are most fascinating as much as they are appalling. Who can be unimpressed by her virtues? Stealing a leading role was not enough, she attempted to steal the heart of any man (three, to be exact) who would advance her career. Eve shared similar traits with Scarlett O' Hara - both had their beauty and killer instinct.
Bette Davis demonstrated greatness as a 40-year-old diva on the top of her stage career, vulnerability in her middle-age crisis, weakness of character as a threatened woman. Her suspicion and temper bespoke her serious reflection in love - did Bill, 8 years junior, love her as an great actress or as a woman? And fate has been very kind to her. Bill was a man with a big heart undeterred by Eve's toughness on the outside and not tempted by the youth of Eve. Were Eve stuck to her pretended virtues a bit longer and Bill less tolerant to Margo's unforgiveness, Margot might come out more rational and smarter perhaps, but left alone in an alternate ending. But we saw Margo's bigness off the stage; she found the greatest prize of all, secured her invaluable role in life and kept her loyal companions. She moved on gracefully, exuding a quiet confidence as a contented woman befittingly would.
Celeste Holm (High Society, A gentleman's agreement) has much to be applauded for her excellent portrayal as Karen, Margo's devoted friend. Unsuspecting, Karen took Eve as a friend, influenced her playwright husband and then the producer to make Eve as Margo's understudy. Karen's greatest mistake was, out of good intention, orchestrating Margot's absence from one performance, which Eve exploited to the fullest extent and her greatest advantage. Triumphantly, Karen was no fool. Witness Celeste Holm's subtle deliverance in the build-up of climax at the restaurant - Margo begged Karen to meet Eve, dying to know what tricks Eve could still pull off. (Aren't we all?) How Karen swinged from her steadfast attitude against Eve into sympathy towards her in the ladies' room. How Karen had her arm twisted by Eve (both literally and metaphorically) and what a hysterical relief Karen had when she was saved from hurting Margo any further. She had her fair share of hard times since admitting Eve to their circle, first a sense of guilt and then anxiety, turning and tossing in bed dreading what might come out of Eve and her husband.
The directng and script are simply flawless and intriguing to the last minute. Eve's acceptance speech after the 130-minute recap was touching yet ironic. Her marvellous performance, off the screen and on stage, accounted for the award she was holding. The movie ended with a master stroke - a sweet revenge perhaps and demonstration of the circle of life. Written and directed by the same hands, meticulous to the finest details from beginning to end, Joseph L. Mankiewicz deserved full credits. The movie delivered and the dialogue was so tailored made that the stars nailed their parts perfectly.
Both Celeste Holm and Thelma Ritta lost their bid for the Oscar's Best Supporting Actress. Thelma Ritta's role was impressive but much smaller in comparison. Celeste Holm was a strong contender and deserved to win. Bette Davis and Anne Baxter were up for the Oscar's Best Actress in a leading role. This probably was too close to call. But consider this, Anne Baxter might be one of the few who could play Eve so well but Bette Davis was the only one Margo Channing no one could replace. Bette Davis had the edge. Nevertheless, the Oscar went to Judy Holiday (a memorable role in Born Yesterday). That said, what would happen to the 21st century Margo in a similar situation? See how Annette Benning, in Being Julia, defended her position from a new comer on and off the stage.
A great movie like this (Best Picture, Best Director and Screenplay for Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Best Supporting Actor George Sanders, Best Sound, Best Costume Design) can be watched many times and still be amazed by the bits and pieces one might have overlooked. I did and am still amazed. I am relieved that there is not a remake. The original is unprecedented and can not be surpassed.
Summary of All About Eve
ALL ABOUT EVE - DVD MovieShowered with Oscars, this wonderfully bitchy (and witty) comedy written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz concerns an aging theater star (Bette Davis) whose life is being supplanted by a wolf-in-sheep's-clothing ingenue (Anne Baxter) whom she helped. This is a film for a viewer to take in like a box of chocolates, packed with scene-for-scene delights that make the entire story even better than it really is. The film also gives deviously talented actors such as George Sanders and Thelma Ritter a chance to speak dazzling lines; Davis bites into her role and never lets go. A classic from Mankiewicz, a legendary screenwriter and the brilliant director of A Letter to Three Wives, The Barefoot Contessa, and Sleuth. --Tom Keogh
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