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May 11, 2016
Over six decades later "All About Eve" (loosely based on the short story originally published in Cosmopolitan, "The Wisdom of Eve") still packs a punch, thanks to writer-director Joseph L. Mankiewicz's stingingly observant screenplay and the personal best performances of a stellar cast headed by the formidable Bette Davis. Look, I adore the elegant, witty Claudette Colbert ("It Happened One Night," "The Palm Beach Story," "Since You Went Away" etc.), but she was absolutely NOT the correct choice to play Margo Channing. Believe it or not the charming Miss Colbert was originally cast in the role but then injured her back on another film and so was out of the running. Mankiewicz then offered the script to Davis, who knew a winner when she saw one--and she desperately needed a winner. After a series of flops Bette Davis's film career was seriously on the wane as the 1940s were coming to a close; she was ready, if not desperate, for a resurrection and found it in the role of the celebrated but insecure Bitch-Goddess Extraordinaire, Margo Channing. Accepting the part was an act of courage for Davis, who was dealing with some of the same issues besetting the character and looked every bit her real middle-age, even appearing without makeup in several key scenes. A bravura performance from one of the Great Stars of the Silver Screen. Good collection of bonus materials are included in this 2-disc set, including an AMC (American Movie Channel, the precursor to TCM) behind the scenes documentary, two revealing portraits of Mankiewicz, two amusing advertising spots featuring Davis and Baxter, each being "interviewed" by a fawning reporter, and two commentary tracks. One track features co-star Celeste Holm, who confirms the Hollywood lore that she and Miss Davis did not get on during filming, mostly due to Bette's combative nature and insecurities. (Among other things, Bette was jealous of Holm's ability to laugh on cue.) Dame Celeste was obviously advanced in years at the time of her commentary participation and her oddly pitched, whispery voice reflects that; she is not particularly easy to listen to. Still, her insights and memories are interesting.