From the Archives: ‘All About Eve’ smart saga of show people

“All About Eve” is one of the smartest pictures of all time. It is about show people, and is pre-eminently for those who know about show world people.

That does not mean its audience will be restricted, even though it is a film that will probably be most popular in the large community.

After all, a lot of people in America have charmed illusion about the men and women of the make-believe, whether it be in New York or Hollywood, and “All About Eve” shears these of with a vengeance, it is the very essence of backstage falderal bitterness and intrigue, and discloses with what foul scheming certain people will proceed to achieve their hour of triumph.

Joseph L. Mankiewiez, who wrote and directed “All About Eve,” now at Los Angeles Grauman’s Chinese, Fox Wilshire, Uptown and Loyola Theaters, elected Anne Baxter to demonstrate how far such scheming may go. He picks her up first at the time she is due to win an award for distinguished achievement. It is on a gala night when everybody turns up to applaud, and also to harbor their secret, somewhat unpleasant thoughts.

Leading Attendants

George Stevens as a critic is the main commentator — in a mental way. Bette Davis, actress; Hugh Marlowe, playwright; Gary Merrill, stage director; Celeste Holm, wife of the playwright; Gregory Ratoff, play producer, are all present.

Most of their reactions to Miss Baxter’s victory are short of sheer enthusiasm. Gradually you learn the reason in a cutback to Miss Baxter’s first association with New York show business, her relentless climb to success, her beautiful superficial sweetness, her utterly sidetracking of everything that doesn’t conform with her ambition.

The title of the play that wins her the award is “Aged in Wood,” and by the time she plays in it the stellar lady has been well seasoned with all forms of theatrical and human perfidy. But she has got the award!

Biffed by Sanders
She has also been slapped by Sanders, secretly denounced by everybody who knows her, practically broken up a marriage, made a monkey out of an actress who had employed her, and generally speaking raised hob with lives, temperaments, and, incidentally, morals.

Nearly all this is carried out according to a perfect pattern of deceit. Because after all, wasn’t this Karen once the apparently sweet soul that Miss Holm (the subsequently aggrieved wife) had found waiting outside the theater, in the rain. All she seemed to hope for then was one glimpse of the great stage idol (Miss Davis) whose place she later usurped. She was the serpent, it turned out, they all took to their breast.

Put “All About Eve” together for appraisal with its sharp-pointed, sophisticated dialogue, its acid-tinged situations and complications, and you have quite a picture for any era. It is a picture, of course, for those in the know, and those who want to be in the know, and the combination ought to make for a super audience in such a town as Los Angeles, even as it already has in New York.

There are effective performances by almost everybody in the cast. Sanders’ is perhaps the tops for flash, and will unquestionably put him well out to the front as the contender for the male supporting award during the annual Academy doings.

Large Assignment
Miss Baxter, because of the role she plays, has to fill a tremendously large order, and does it with prowess. She has to dissemble almost as much for the audience as for those around her, which is a trick that requires acumen.

Bette Davis furnishes a sensational caricature. It is less than her greatest performances because it is a caricature, but it is also tremendously interesting on that account. They could have been kinder to her in the make-up for the role, though that’s an incidental matter. Resemblance, to a famous stage actress will receive attention, even if that is not the best recommendation for her otherwise superior work.

Best Marlow Break
Hugh Marlowe gets his finest break yet, and proves what he can accomplish with it as the playwright. He belongs in this smarter environment, Gary Merrill in a sincere and unobtrusive way is very fine. Gregory Ratoff as the producer and especially Thelma Ritter as the outspoken maid, supply colorful portraits. Barbara Bates is delightful as the girl who apparently arrives to follow in the Baxter footsteps.

Noted Walter Hampden as the master of ceremonies for the award and Marilyn Monroe are others in more important roles.

But actually the story is well centered about the major group.

Darryl F. Zanuck produced “All About Eve,” which is unquestionably to be designated as a Mankiewicz achievement, and one likely to win a multitude of laurels from its special public. It has the feel of somewhat excessive length even if seldom uninteresting.