All About Eve

1950 Drama

Cast:

Margo Channing: Bette Davis

Eve Harrington: Anne Baxter

Addison DeWitt: George Sanders

Bill Sampson: Gary Merrill

Lloyd Richards: Hugh Marlow

Karen Richards: Celeste Holm

Birdie: Thelma Ritter

Director:

Joseph Mankiewicz

A young actress with ambitious intentions insinuates herself into the lives of a Broadway star and her circle of friends.

Margo Channing (Davis) is a great Broadway star. She behaves like a star. She has always been a star. But, Margo is 40 years old and is beginning to wonder whether her roles are still appropriate for her age, causing her a great deal of insecurity. In addition, her lover Bill Sampson ( Merrill) is 8 years her junior and she worries about losing him to a younger woman.

Eve Harrington (Baxter) is an aspiring young actress. She has been studying Margo and her circle of friends and claims to have seen every performance of her current play.

Karen Richards (Holm) meets Eve after one performance and brings her to meet Margo. After hearing about Eve's difficult past, they welcome her into their circle and Eve becomes Margo's assistant.

Birdie (Ritter) has been with Margo for years. She is her friend, constant companion and helper. Birdie is suspicious of Eve from the start.

Addison DeWitt (Sanders) is a renowned and somewhat sinister stage critic. He is intrigued by Eve and begins to see her as a fresh new face on Broadway.

Margo eventually becomes suspicious of Eve's intentions.

A turning point in the film is the infamous party scene, which includes a famous line about it being a "bumpy night". However, one of the best exchanges of the night is between Addison DeWitt and a drunken Margo. She says to Addison, "I'm being rude, aren't I? Or should I say ain't I?" to which he replies "You're maudlin and full of self pity. You're magnificent." Proof that he recognizes and respects her stature.

Marilyn Monroe has a small role as a protege of Addison's. She, unfortunately, does not possess the talent to be an actor on Broadway. Addison recommends she try television.

This film is delicious! I've seen it more times than I can count.

Bette Davis made many great movies..."Now Voyager", "The Little Foxes", "Jezebel".

But, this role was meant for her. It's her best by far. She was looking for a meaty role. She was done being a Hollywood glamour girl.

There are several scenes where she looked far from glamorous and I think she reveled in that. For instance see "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane."

She was one of the greats! Love!

Boffo Buff