Fasten Your Seatbelts

There are works of art that make an indelible impression. No matter how many times you view them, they never get old, or tired. Instead, they demand your return, a fresh eye — and that returning never disappoints.

The 1950 black and white film, “All About Eve,” is just such a work. A cinematic masterpiece that is, in this viewer’s opinion, as fresh and relevant today, as it was when it first hit the theaters.

It is one of my favorite flicks of all time and I feel obligated to share it with my readers. This film is quite simply, "cinematic perfection."

Starring the incomparable Bette Davis, the equally excellent Anne Baxter, and a stunning supporting cast, including the great British actor, George Sanders, Gary Merrill, Celeste Holm and Hugh Marlow, this is a film that demands multiple viewings. See it once, and you’ll understand why.

The luminous Marilyn Monroe makes an appearance, as well, in what I believe was her first screen role. It’s a cameo, and she’s hilarious. To watch her here, is to understand how her career took off like a comet. She truly was, as Elton John wrote, a “candle in the wind.”

The Cast:

Margo Channing — Bette Davis

Eve Harrington — Anne Baxter

Addison DeWitt — George Sanders

Bill Sampson — Gary Merrill

Celeste Holm — Karen Richards

Lloyd Richards — Hugh Marlow

Marilyn Monroe — Miss Casswell

The Premise:

A young fan, and aspiring actress, (Baxter), insinuates herself into the lives of theater superstar, Margo Channing and her coterie, including Margo’s lover, Bill Sampson, a stage director who is about to direct his first film, her longstanding playwright, Lloyd Richards, and Lloyd’s wife, Karen, who is also Margo’s best friend.

One rainy evening, as Karen is about to enter the theater where Margo is starring in Lloyd‘s play, “Aged In Wood,” she sees Eve loitering by the alley-side door. In fact, she is there every night.

Karen’s curiosity finally gets the better of her and she approaches the girl, who appears bedraggled and forlorn. Karen is astounded that Eve has seen every performance of the play.

Deeply touched, Karen takes Eve backstage to meet Margo, she of the crusty exterior, who, after hearing Eve’s (totally fabricated) tale of woe, develops a “big, protective feeling” for the girl and takes Eve under her wing.

After that, all bets are off.

As she slithers her way through her new social circle, Eve Harrington also gains the attention of noted theater critic, Addison DeWitt, played by the impeccable George Sanders, who, at first, is taken in by her supposed innocence, but soon realizes her true character is anything but. You quickly learn that DeWitt, as he himself states, is “no one’s fool.”

As DeWitt, Sanders’ mastery of a cigarette holder is something to behold. And his crisp enunciation of every line, even the simple, “I am Addison Dewitt,” thrills me. Every single time.

Unfortunately, although he seemed to be a man who “had everything,” Sanders came to an untimely end, by his own hand. In his suicide note, Sanders, wrote, in part, ”Dear World, I am leaving because I am bored.”

To me, “All About Eve” is the benchmark for writing excellence, no matter if you’re a screenwriter or a novelist. Not one line…or word, is wasted. Talk about an economy of language!

Most people who have a passing knowledge of the film know it for the iconic line, literally growled by Davis, “Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.”

That said, there are so many more sharp pieces of dialogue that delight and inspire.

Produced by Darryl F. Zanuck and written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, at the end of the day, “All About Eve” is about celebrity, and its lure, especially when applause and fandom is mistaken for love.

When Margo hosts a birthday party for director, Bill Sampson, (Merrill), he scoffs at the notion that the stage is mightier than the big screen. This leaves the starry-eyed Harrington to reply:

“If nothing else, there’s applause. Like waves of love pouring over the footlights and wrapping you up.”

She fairly breathes this line, both rapt and wrapped up in the moment. And, her audience is suitably entranced.

Baxter plays the part of a fanatical fan with an agenda, to perfection. Her character’s arc is amazing to behold as she methodically turns friend against friend…lover against lover.

As I write these words, I am eager to see “All About Eve,” yet again, as it both soothes and inspires me.

When I started on my screenwriting journey, I read the script, several times. Each time, I learned something new, which is why I’m so happy to be able to share this immaculate piece of movie-making with you.

At the 1951 Academy Awards, “All About Eve” garnered 18 nominations and 23 wins, including the following:

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

George Sanders

Best Director

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Best Writing, Screenplay

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Best Costume Design, Black-and-White

Edith Head

Charles Le Maire

Best Sound, Recording

Thomas T. Moulton

Best Picture

Darryl F. Zanuck

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Anne Baxter

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Bette Davis

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Celeste Holm

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Thelma Ritter

Best Cinematography, Black-and-White

Milton R. Krasner

Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White

Lyle R. Wheeler

George W. Davis

Thomas Little

Walter M. Scott

Best Film Editing

Barbara McLean

Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture

Alfred Newman

If you haven’t yet seen “All About Eve,” I urge you to beg, borrow, or steal a copy of the DVD. Better yet, purchase it so you can watch and rewatch it, as I have. I promise: You won’t just be entertained, you’ll be enriched.

And if you'd like to read the script, here it is.

Enjoy! And, thanks for reading.

© Sherry McGuinn, 2021. All Rights Reserved.