All About Eve

Name: All About Eve
Genre: Drama
Released: October 27, 1950
Duration: 138 min
Rating: 98
Cast: Anne Baxter, Barbara Bates, Bette Davis, Celeste Holm, Gary Merrill

1950

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 115 Ratings

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8.7

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8.7	User Score Universal acclaim based on 115 Ratings

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All About Eve

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox | Release Date: October 27, 1950 | TV-PG

Starring: Anne Baxter, Barbara Bates, Bette Davis, Celeste Holm, Gary Merrill, George Sanders, Gregory Ratoff, Hugh Marlowe, Marilyn Monroe, Thelma Ritter

Summary: An ingenue insinuates herself into the company of an established but aging stage actress and her circle of theater friends.

Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: TV-PG

Runtime: 138 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Richard Brody

All About Eve is one of the greatest movies about theatre—an idea that, in itself, opens an ironic abyss into which Mankiewicz spelunks with an impish, riotous aplomb. Read full review

100

Staff (Not Credited)

So thick and rich you'll be tempted to eat it with a fork - but use a spoon to get every drop. Read full review

100

Roger Ebert

The movie's strength and weakness is Anne Baxter, whose Eve lacks the presence to be a plausible rival to Margo, but is convincing as the scheming fan. When Eve understudies for Margo and gets great reviews, Mankiewicz wisely never shows us her performance; better to imagine it, and focus on the girl whose look is a little too intense, whose eyes a little too focused, whose modesty is somehow suspect. Read full review

100

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

ALL ABOUT EVE is the consummate backstage story, a film that holds a magnifying glass up to theatrical environs and exposes all the egos, tempers, conspiracies and backstage back-biting that make up the world of make-believe on Broadway. Read full review

100

Bosley Crowther

Mr. Kaufman and Mr. Hart might even find themselves outclassed by the dazzling and devastating mockery that is brilliantly packed into this film. Read full review

100

Empire David Parkinson

The stinging bon mots occasionally sound handcrafted rather than raspingly spontaneous, but aspiring actress Anne Baxter’s rise to the top over the corpse of her supposed idol, Bette Davis, remains rousing and endlessly amusing. Read full review

Dave Kehr

The dialogue is sharp and justly famous, though writer-director Joseph L. Mankiewicz has trouble putting it into the mouths of his actors: nothing sounds remotely natural, and the film is pervaded by the out-of-sync sense of staircase wit—this is a movie about what people wished they'd said. 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. Read full review

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User Reviews

TMProofreader3

Aug 23, 2019

The best, GREATEST movie ever made! With the best movie character ever portrayed: Anne Baxter as Eve Harrington! Plus the best movie quote ever spoken: "Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy night." And the best movie score ever composed!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

kyle20ellis

Mar 18, 2022

All About Eve is my idea of a perfect film,(and I am 17) beautiful and brooding at the same time. People consider this as one of the finest films ever made, and I cannot disagree. This and Shawshank Redemption are actually films that deserve to be in the top 250. The black and whiteAll About Eve is my idea of a perfect film,(and I am 17) beautiful and brooding at the same time. People consider this as one of the finest films ever made, and I cannot disagree. This and Shawshank Redemption are actually films that deserve to be in the top 250. The black and white cinematography is gorgeous, and the script is sharp and focused with great lines such as "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night". The direction is excellent, and this is further advantaged by a terrific cast, a very good subject matter and sumptuous costumes. I couldn't help being captivated by Bette Davis's performance as Margo Channing, her presence in the film is actually the film's main merit. Davis was an incredible actress, and while not exactly pretty compared to Maaureen O'Hara and Rita Hayworth and not very easy to work with at times, she always brought a sense of command to all her roles, especially in this film. I still think that All About Eve is her best film, I honestly do, and she is well supported by a terrific supporting cast with the likes of the idealistic Anne Baxter and the suave George Sanders. All in all, a beautiful film, that is a must-see, if you haven't seen it already. It is quite long, but it is well worth watching for Davis's performance. 10/10 Bethany Cox… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

sachineldho

Jun 18, 2019

A rare classic in the history of cinema. A must watch film for all movie lovers.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

auburnn

Jan 23, 2018

A story about rise-to-prominence of an ambitious young woman, who happens to be an immigrant. Great storytelling: the narrative is told by Addison and Karen and adopts a flashback. I especially admire the role that Bette Davis stars, who, always smoking, is so bold, charitable, humorous andA story about rise-to-prominence of an ambitious young woman, who happens to be an immigrant. Great storytelling: the narrative is told by Addison and Karen and adopts a flashback. I especially admire the role that Bette Davis stars, who, always smoking, is so bold, charitable, humorous and sexy. Some notable details: the continual change of Eve's dress, which may reveal her lesbian sexuality, the indifferent scoffing expression of Margo and Karen in the beginning scene and the scene we know Eve has been lying through her stiff shadows. The surprising yet totally sense-making end elevates this picture to another level.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

AndrewHord

May 29, 2020

It has interesting for its time plot,however ,i was not really impressed by this picture.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

KingCrasher

Jan 22, 2018

Bette Davis as the acclaimed theatre star, Margo Channing, who is befriended by the film's protagonist Eve Harrington, a simple devoted fan of Channing, played by Anne Baxter. Davis and Baxter turn in high quality performances in this tale of intrigue as we watch the layers of the twoBette Davis as the acclaimed theatre star, Margo Channing, who is befriended by the film's protagonist Eve Harrington, a simple devoted fan of Channing, played by Anne Baxter. Davis and Baxter turn in high quality performances in this tale of intrigue as we watch the layers of the two characters fall away throughout the film.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

CodyZamboni

Aug 24, 2019

The classic backstage Broadway diva witch fest soap opera. Nastiness done to a hoot. Landmark performances by Bette Davis and Anne Baxter sell this wackiness. And Marilyn Monroe shows up for a few minutes of eye candy. Yay. A little more editing and tightening of the more draggy scenes,The classic backstage Broadway diva witch fest soap opera. Nastiness done to a hoot. Landmark performances by Bette Davis and Anne Baxter sell this wackiness. And Marilyn Monroe shows up for a few minutes of eye candy. Yay. A little more editing and tightening of the more draggy scenes, would've boosted my rating higher… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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