Review of All About Eve (1950) by Erik P — 01 Jun 2010

Jealousy, manipulation, and betrayal is what Mankiewicz 1950's great film "All About Is Eve" centers on. When one secretly insinuates, intimadates, manipulates, doing whatever it takes to break down the prey's confidence leaving them in a state of paranoia and fear.

The prey(actually Margo Channing)played by Bette Davis is a middle age theater stage star who is considered the best in the game. Channing is confident with everything going for her. If Channing wants the best parts she can get them with such power and she has good friends she associates with, so double the advantage to Channing.

That is until Channing is introduced to the Hunter. Her name is Eve Harrington(Anne Baxter)who looks just as insinuating with her straight face and manipulating alien-like eyes. Harrington's plan is to take over Channing's career so for now Harrington becomes Channing's maid leaving Channing's old maid(Thelma Ritter)out in the cold. Ritter's character notices how Harrington operates but is too weak to do anything about it. Sooner or later Harrington is moving in Channing's house.

Harrington becomes an understudy behind Channing's back while at the same time causing friction to Channing's pals Lloyd, Margo and Bill. Harrington even tried to make a pass at Bill but smartly he rejects her seduction. Harrington will even go so far into blackmailing others just so Channing won't get the part. She even plans on marrying Lloyd. You believe that?

The best scene is between Eve Harrington and Addison DeWitt(George Sanders)who gets widly upset that Harrington is using DeWitt for her career purposes. In reality Eve's real name turns out to be not Eve Harrington but Gertrude Slojinski and she had never followed Margo's tour. Before meeting Margo, she had been paid to leave town after her affair with her boss, a brewer in Wisconsin.

That scene itself sums up what Eve is all about. Jealousy, manipulation, betrayal, and possibly greed. Eve has no conscience whatsoever and it's not until DeWitt exposes her she begins to finally crumble. Eve Harrington wins the highest award for her theater performance but ultimatly pays the price. When Harrington goes home an unexpected woman named Phoebe(Barbara Bates)is at Eve's place and sooner or later is holding Eve Harrington's award and taking a bow. The sinister cyle has just begin.

All About Eve is an ageless film and a great picture for the movies.