All About Eve might be the best cautionary tale about stalkers ever. The 1950 Oscar-winning movie, which was nominated for fourteen awards took home six, has remained a classic 64 years later. It still has one of the best screenplays ever written, and the themes have been replicated on film and television years later.Modern shows such as Gossip Girl and Glee have paid homage to the classic film. References to the movie, and pull quotes remain relevant even today.”Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night.” Years before Natalie Portman became paranoid that Mila Kunis was going to steal her part in Black Swan, Bette Davis was nervous that the girl she hired as an assistant (Ann Baxter) the day they met, was trying to take over her life.
Even today, I find the movie as entertaining as I do a tad creepy. Eve’s a bit stalker-ish. It’s not a horror movie, there is no blood and gore. It isn’t even categorized as a psychological thriller, but it might as well be. “Aging” actresses in the late 1940s, early 1950s, meant the leading lady had reached the age of 40. I guess not much as really changed, because actors nowadays are still trying to remain young and vibrant. I have some questions for writer/director, Mr. Joseph Mankiewitz. If I could go back in time, I’d ask him “Why the hell would you not do a background check before letting them move in with you?” or “What’s up with Ann Baxter’s breathy voice? Is it meant to be creepy? Because it is.” and “Can I play Birdie? She’s hilarious.”
Even though Margo Channing, Bette Davis’ character, is supposed to be the drama queen, I think Ann Baxter as Eve takes the cake on this one. Again, with the breathy dramatic voice. It only makes for a good movie though.Star, Bette Davis was in her element in this film, and man, I’d have loved to have a drink with her–a martini. I find myself watching it if I really want to relax and watch a quality film. I love old movies. If you haven’t seen this classic, check it out. It’s on instant on Netflix.
