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Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Celeste Holm, Gary Merrill ... see more see more... , Hugh Marlowe , Thelma Ritter , Marilyn Monroe , Gregory Ratoff , Barbara Bates , Walter Hampden , Randy Stuart , Craig Hill , Barbara White , William Pullen , Claude Stroud , Eugene Borden , Helen Mowery , Steven Geray , Bess Flowers , Ed Fisher

Based on the story The Wisdom of Eve by Mary Orr, All About Eve is an elegantly bitchy backstage story revolving around aspiring actress Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter). Tattered and forlorn, Eve shows u... read more read more...p in the dressing room of Broadway mega-star Margo Channing (Bette Davis), weaving a melancholy life story to Margo and her friends. Taking pity on the girl, Margo takes Eve as her personal assistant. Before long, it becomes apparent that naïve Eve is a Machiavellian conniver who cold-bloodedly uses Margo, her director Bill Sampson (Gary Merill), Lloyd's wife Karen (Celeste Holm), and waspish critic Addison De Witt (George Sanders) to rise to the top of the theatrical heap. Also appearing in All About Eve is Marilyn Monroe, introduced by Addison De Witt as "a graduate of the Copacabana school of dramatic art." This is but one of the hundreds of unforgettable lines penned by writer/director Joseph L. Mankiewicz, the most famous of which is Margo Channing's lip-sneering admonition, "Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy night." All About Eve received 6 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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94% liked it

41,425 ratings

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100% liked it

55 critics

PG, 2 hr. 18 min.

Directed by: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Release Date: January 1, 1950

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DVD Release Date: October 5, 1999

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Stats: 2,935 reviews

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Bette Davis, Anne Baxter & Celeste Holm in All About Eve Anne Baxter in All About Eve Marilyn Monroe in All About Eve All About Eve Celeste Holm in All About Eve Celeste Holm in All About Eve All About Eve Anne Baxter and George Sanders All About Eve Bette Davis and Gary Merrill Gary Merrill, Bette Davis, George Sanders, Anne Baxter, Hugh Marlowe and Celeste Holm Anne Baxter, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe and George Sanders All About Eve Marilyn Monroe and George Sanders Anne Baxter in All About Eve Bette Davis and Gary Merrill hi Anne Baxter in All About Eve
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Flixster Reviews (2,935)

  • fb223580
    August 23, 2012
    fb223580
    The script is spectacular. And there's just so much acting to appreciate in this film, especially Bette Davis's snarky, proud, self-indulgent and insecure diva who gradually coaxes forth a full-on tempestuous storm, a "hysterical screaming harpy". This was my first introduction... read more to Ms Davis, and though I'd never want to cross swords with her, I want more. I loved her and Merrill, they were romantically adorable! Bonus: a resplendent, bright-eyed Marilyn Monroe with a naughty smile as she shimmies out of her white fur coat to go sweet-talk a producer.
  • jamers2011
    March 18, 2012
    jamers2011
    Brilliant! A classic film; absolutely fantastic. All About Eve is a film about a young woman named Eve (Baxter) who aligns herself into the life of aging actress Margo Channing (Davis) and ultimately schemes herself into the theatre spotlight. I really liked it!

    The screenplay ... read moreis one of the best of all time, perfect in every way. It has sort of a unique and modern flair to it, making All About Eve memorable and timeless. The performances were wonderful, also, especially Betty Davis. All About Eve garnered a total of 5 Oscar nominations for the cast; after viewing the film it's clear why. Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Celeste Holm, Gary Merrill, and Hugh Marlowe all give great performances. This was also my first Marilyn Monroe film; she has a minor role.

    Nominated for an astounding 14 Academy Awards and winner of 6 including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay, All About Eve is a classic piece of cinema that is a must-see. I cannot recommend this film enough.
  • cosmo313
    March 4, 2012
    cosmo313
    Once again, someone decided to take a typical "backstage backstabbing drama" type story and turn it into a prestige picture.

    The film follows an aspiring actress named Eve Harrington who worships fading and aging stage goddess Margo Channing and finds herself going from rags to... read more riches when Margo befriends her and helps her turn her life around. Thigns start going well enough until Eve begins to scheme about taking over the top spot, willing to do about anything to get there.

    This basic plot was nothing new, even by 1950. This retelling is doen pretty well though, with some excellent performances and decent writing. What boggles my mind about it though is that I just cannot comprehend why this is such a highly lauded film. It's good, but there's nothing about it overall that makes it truly great. I don't think the performances are enough, though they do account for a lot of it.

    There's perhaps some insights into show biz that this film introduced to the world, but, given its age, it's hard to really be surprised by much of it. Sure, there's some really good lines, but a lot of them have been used so much in reference to this film that seeing them in context kinda makes it all very underwhelming.

    I didn't hate this movie, and appreciated that it didn't go into over the top soap operaish melodrama territory, but at 138 minutes, it could have actually used something like that to liven up a production that is quite understated for the most part.

    All in all, this isn't a classic, but it is an enjoyable drama for what it is, and seeing Bette Davis deliver one of her best performances is a real treat.
  • blacksheepboy
    October 10, 2011
    blacksheepboy
    A sophisticated tale of ambition, glamour and backstabbing in Hollywood and show business. Perfectly directed and with a delicious sense of humor, this superb classic by Mankievicz presents not only a terrific cast but also countless memorable dialogues from beginning to end.
  • sergioogarcia
    October 3, 2011
    sergioogarcia
    Go for it in Wal-Mart for less than 50 pesos. What a bargain. What a great performances from Bette Davis and Anne Baxter. It's classic good noir Hollywood movies and this time you'll get a glimpse of the inside Hollywood greed, hipochresy and karma. Yes, karma is real. You bet on... read more it.
  • hunterjt13
    February 26, 2011
    hunterjt13
    A diva actress takes in a war widow, who eventually plots and schemes to steal the spotlight.
    The highlights of this classic are Bette Davis's indomitable stage presence and the captivating voice of George Sanders. Davis captures the essence of this aging actress: the resistance... read more against age, the desire for attention, and the pride of woman who will not go out anywhere except on top. And I could listen to George Sanders read the phone book.
    I also liked the writing. It's often instructive and refreshing to revisit the days when characters spoke in grammatically correct and rich, poetic prose. Though I never find it realistic, it does provide some fantastic linguistic music.
    However, it seems like this film is saying something about the theater; after all, there are several lines elevating theater people above others, but this statement seems muddled. Are we simply to understand that theater people are more ambitious, more head-strong, more cut-throat than others. Glengarry Glen Ross says the same thing about salesmen, so I have trouble believing there's anything unique as All About Eve seems to claim.
    Additionally, though Davis is superb, there are moments when it become more about her schtick and less about telling the story. Anne Baxter is see-through from the first moments. And I think we need to know more about Margo and Bill's relationship. I was left wondering why he would stay with her.
    Overall, though I think it's a bit overrated, All About Eve is less about Eve and more about Margo Channing and the great Bette Davis, and this at least provides some compelling entertainment.
  • lewiskendell
    February 10, 2011
    lewiskendell
    "A part in a play. You'd do all that just for a part in a play?"

    All About Eve is a sneaky tale about deceit and pure ambition, set within the world of the New York theater scene.

    Eve (Anne Baxter) seems to be a sympathetic, helpful young woman, who find herself unexpectedly me... read moreeting her idol, the great stage actress Margo Chandler (Bette Midler). She begins to work for the star, seemingly completely content to help her in any way she can. But Eve is much more ambitious than her sweet, helpful demeanor suggests, and she brings all kinds of trouble to Margo and others in her bids for her own personal fame and stardom.

    I can't really find any flaws with the premise of All About Eve, or the acting. It's a well-made movie with a great cast. For some reason, though, my interest in it stayed fairly subdued. I did get more into the story during the second half, but I'm forced to concede that for some reason, I wasn't the primary audience for this one. I did love the ending, though.

    Solid movie, but I believe others will probably have a more enthusiastic reaction to All About Eve than I did.
  • axadntpron
    January 20, 2011
    axadntpron
    A surprise delight for me. I have never heard of Joseph Mankiewicz before and for that I am surprised. What makes this film soar is the script. The dialogue, which touches on themes of growing old in such a troublesome industry and the need to be desired by the public, was delica... read moretely and expertly handled by all actors involved, especially Bette Davis who plays the aging star Margo Channing.
    While Mankiewicz doesn't really have a big presence behind the camera, it is in all the right places to capture what the film really offers. A very well structured and written script.
    It is one of those films that really does not feel as though it has aged at all. It touches on timeless themes, but still feels fresher than ever.
  • FilmFanatik
    January 15, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    One of the greatest films ever made. Incredibly well-written dialogue, amazing performances and incredible technical sound and video editing. I am in love with this film.
  • ajv2688
    October 26, 2010
    ajv2688
    A clever story presented in a well made movie with a good cast. It's a bit too long, but otherwise a great movie.

View All All About Eve Reviews

Critic Reviews

Robert Hatch
January 23, 2013
Robert Hatch, The New Republic

What makes the picture seem so good (what makes it eminently worth seeing) is the satirical touches in its detail and the performance of Bette Davis. Full Review

February 18, 2009
TIME Magazine

It crackles with smart, smarting dialogue. Full Review

Abel Green
January 30, 2008
Abel Green, Variety

The Zanuck production investiture is plush in every department. Full Review

Trevor Johnston
August 16, 2007
Trevor Johnston, Time Out

[Features] more quotable dialogue in one movie than most screenwriters manage in a lifetime. Full Review

Dave Kehr
December 12, 2006
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

The hoped-for tone of Restoration comedy never quite materializes, perhaps because Mankiewicz's cynicism is only skin-deep, but the film's tinny brilliance still pleases. Full Review

Douglas Pratt
June 14, 2003
Douglas Pratt, Hollywood Reporter

Mankiewicz's flair for dialog is so perfected that all three actresses shoot fireworks whenever they open their mouths.

Bosley Crowther
May 20, 2003
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

A fine Darryl Zanuck production, excellent music and an air of ultra-class complete this superior satire. The legitimate theatre had better look to its laurels.

James Berardinelli
February 20, 2003
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

A motion picture that, because of its priceless dialogue and unforgettable lead performance, will never lose its luster. Full Review

Edward Guthmann
June 19, 2002
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

Is there anyone alive who hasn't seen All About Eve -- anyone who doesn't love movies, that is? Full Review

Chris Vognar
May 3, 2002
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

Mankiewicz's 1950 gem is a wickedly cynical cocktail of laughter and deceit in which everyone has an angle to play. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Lloyd Richards: It's about time the piano realized it has not written the concerto!
    • Margo Channing: Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night.
    • Margo Channing: Hold on, it's going to be a bumpy night.
    • Margo Channing: A milkshake?
    • Margo Channing: Don't get up. And please stop acting as if I were the queen mother.
    • Margo Channing: I distinctly remember Addison crossing you off my guest list. What are you doing here?
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All About Eve Trivia

  • Oscar winner for Best Picture of 1950 (all nominated):  Answer »
  • In the 1950's classic "All about Eve" who played the conniving ladder-climbing female character?  Answer »
  • Which film broke GONE WITH THE WIND's record for most Academy Award nominations?  Answer »
  • All About Eve won Oscars for Picture, Director et al. but failed to win for Best Actress, despite having multiple nominees. Those ladies were:  Answer »
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