As a movie fan I’ve tried to get a glimpse of every movie I could. But there have been a number of classic films that I’ve somehow missed over the years. At one time that was due to the fact that VCRs and then DVD players didn’t exist. Once they did, the films weren’t released yet. But as these films make their way to DVD now the excuses are less and less. The biggest is not having access to these films short of spending every dollar I have to purchase them. It seems most rental stores or kiosks don’t feel there is a desire to witness some of the greats. But there is.
Just released is the 60th Anniversary Edition of ALL ABOUT EVE. A movie about actors that somehow never made it on my radar. A movie that garnered all sorts of Oscars including picture, screenplay and director among others. And yet I’m just now getting around to watching it.
The film tells the story of a group of theatrical friends in New York. The center of this circle is Margo Channing (Better Davis), an aging theater actress who is hailed as the greatest that ever performed. Included in the group is director and love interest Bill Simpson (Gary Merrill) who adores Margo but who Margo puts off when it comes to marriage. There is also Lloyd Richard (Hugh Marlowe) who writes all of the major plays that Margo starts in, the rising playwright who is considered at the top of his game. Lastly is Karen (Celeste Holme), Lloyd’s wife and best friend of Margo who wanders in and out of all their lives.
Into this small circle of friends comes someone new, Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter), a star struck young woman who adores Margo. Having witnessed all of her performances she stands outside the stage exit until Karen one day takes her in to meet Margo. Soon Margo “adopts” Eve to be her protégé, helping her with day to day items and becoming part of the crowd. Until Margo begins to see something more in Eve than the rest. She sees the desire in Eve to become the center of the circle, to become the star that Margo is as she begins to age and fade from memory.
As viewers we sit and watch and wonder if Margo is on to something of if she’s merely jealous of Eve’s youth. She is, after all, just turned 40 and soon will be unable to play the 24 year old roles that Lloyd writes about. But is her fear reality or is Eve just that fan obsessed young woman that adores Margo to no end?
As the story unfolds we are given the answer to that question as we see Eve manipulate each of the members of this group of friends and those around them. To make yourself seem innocent is perhaps the greatest performance that Eve gives, even after she makes her way finally to the stage.
ALL ABOUT EVE is a behind the scenes look at the world of actors and those they work with. Director/writer Joseph Mankiewicz has a way with dialogue that few have ever achieved. The words that come from their mouths may be given life by the actors, but those words speak volumes in what they have to say about the fragile egos and lust for power and fame. The words flow like music and reveal perhaps more than what goes on in the world of the stage. Perhaps there are those in small town lives that play their roles just the same.
The acting is tremendous. Better Davis has rarely been better, going over the top when need be as the ego infused actress determined not to release the crown she wears as queen of the stage but then showing the most fragile of human beings, especially in a scene towards the end of the film when she confides her innermost feelings to Karen while stranded in a car. The supporting cast does an equally tremendous job. Perhaps the only thing I found annoying was the breathy whisper like voice used by Baxter when she portrays the innocent side of Eve. Her depth becomes more apparent when the real Eve shows herself.
The movie is considered a classic by most and it was an enjoyable movie to watch. It was indeed well made, acted, directed and written. But I don’t know that it’s a movie I’d watch over and over again. I am glad that I did get the chance to see it finally though. Movie fans should all make the trek to find it and watch.
The newest version of the film has just come out in blu-ray with an interesting book style cover. Not only do you get the film in pristine condition, the extras are great as well. Included are commentary by Actor Celeste Holm, Mankiewicz Biographer Ken Geist and Christopher Mankiewicz, commentary by Author Sam Staggs, Joseph L. Mankiewicz: A Personal Journey, The Real Eve, The Secret of Sarah Siddons, AMC Backstory®: All About Eve, a vintage Bette Davis promotion, a vintage Anne Baxter promotion, Fox Movietone News, restoration comparison and the theatrical trailer. Fans of the film will be delighted. And newcomers will get a chance to see why some of the older films still have something to offer.
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