All About Eve directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz

 

 

 

found on en.wikipedia.org         

 

 

 

 

            After paying a slight tribute to Joan Crawford’s legacy, it is only fair that I next pay tribute to Bette Davis.  Actually, it isn’t just because I wrote a review pertaining to Bette’s other half in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane, but more importantly because Bette Davis is my idol and one of the most talented women ever to come through Hollywood.  Her presence was enough to evoke strong emotions into her co-stars whether it be anger and disgust by Miriam Hopkins in Old Maid or fear and anxiety felt by Geraldine Fitzgerald in Dark Victory.  In the future, my blog readers may find quite a few film reviews starring the one and only Bette Davis.  For now, I will begin with, some may argue her most iconic role, All About Eve directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.  A renowned theatre actress welcomes a fan of hers into her life and that of her friends.  The aging actress doesn’t realize, though, that new talent is ready to take her place and it is closer than it may seem. 

            The film, much like Bette Davis’s career at the time, is based around the idea of an aging yet acclaimed actress trying to hold on to her profession.  Anne Baxter and Bette Davis stun the audience with a brilliant performance, Bette Davis in her strong, independent role she does so well and Anne Baxter in a more innocent role.  We also see Marilyn Monroe’s debut role in a short scene looking young and gorgeous as ever. Bette Davis plays wonderful stage actress Margo Channing and the part could not have been casted better.  Charming and ever so beautiful, the movie starts off with a confident Margo taking in a die-hard fan as her assistant.  Anne Baxter, Eve Harrington, is quiet and meek only wanting to be Margo’s loving and adoring assistant and friend.  Throughout the film, the audience has a hard time seeing what Margo sees in Eve, not an innocent girl but a conniving and vile creature.  Anne Baxter is wonderful at playing the shy and fragile girl, but her range far out reaches that and in the movie we see how talented the actress is.  Supporting roles George Sanders, Gary Merrill, and Celeste Holm play are crucial to the development and unraveling of this story as well.  This dangerously creative comedy and drama is sure to be a classic for generation after generation.  Fasten your blankets, because tonight we are watching All About Eve.