All About Eve (1950) 20th Century Fox Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz Producer: Darryl F. Zanuck Cast: Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Celeste Holm, Gary Merrill. Awards ceremony: -23rd Academy Awards: March 29, 1951. RKO Pantages Theatre, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Other films nominated for Best Motion Picture this year: -Born Yesterday. -Father Of The Bride. -King Solomon's Mines. -Sunset Boulevard. Plot summary: Eve Harrington (ANNE BAXTER) is a young aspiring theatre actress who is starstruck on Broadway actress Margo Channing (BETTE DAVIS). After attending Margo's performances every night Eve is afforded the chance to meet her idol in her backstage dressing room. They quickly become friends and the shy Eve does everything she can to keep Margo happy. Unfortunately for Margo, Eve has an ulterior motive for her behaviour and tries to become the new Margo by taking the limelight off her and placing the spotlight firmly on herself. Standout scene: Not too many 'stand-out scenes' here but my favourite part was near the end when Margo reluctantly congratulates Eve on winning a prestigious award. "You can always put that award where your heart ought to be!" Facts: -The 23nd Academy Awards. -Nominated for 14 Academy Awards, it won 6: Best Film, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (George Sanders), Best Screenplay, Best Sound Recording, Best Costume Design (black & white). -Marilyn Monroe, still relatively early in her film career received 9th billing. Personal opinion: Watched this film for the very first time as part of this project and I must admit I really enjoyed it. A fascinating storyline, one I thought was quite original (it won the Oscar for best screenplay after all), and watching the transition of Anne Baxter's title character going from extremely nervous and likeable to being a manipulating, blackmailing bitch was brilliant. You can see what she is up to early on and the film quite deliberately paces itself for the duration. Facial clock-stopper Bette Davis spends most of the time either smoking or looking as though she is tired (it's her eyes) but puts in a stellar performance (can't believe she didn't win the Oscar). Extraordinarily during the course of the film one character actually kisses her on the mouth, calls her beautiful and we even get to see what passes for her cleavage. At one point Gary Merrill's character refers to Davis as looking "like a junkyard"! But all joking aside, Bette Davis is on top form here. I did love her last line in the movie when she addresses Eve and makes a very subtle suggestion on where she ought to keep her award! A good solid cast who all get their slice of screen time, including a young Marilyn Monroe. A very good albeit slightly predictable ending. First-time viewing and I instantly liked it. Did it deserve the Oscar? YES, but I have to say this: SUNSET BOULEVARD was about equal with it in terms of overall quality. 7½/10

Review date: 24 February 2025