All About All About Eve: The Complete Behind-the-Scenes Story of the Bitchiest Film Ever Made!
by Sam Staggs
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Description
To millions of fans, All About Eve represents all that's witty and wonderful in classic Hollywood movies. Its old-fashioned, larger-than-life stars--including Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, and Celeste Holm--found their best roles in Eve and its sophisticated dialogue has entered the lexicon.But there's much more to know about All About Eve. Sam Staggs has written the definitive account of the making of this fascinating movie and its enormous influence on both film show more and popular culture. Staggs reveals everything about the movie--from who the famous European actress Margo Channing was based on, to the hot-blooded romance on-set between Bette Davis and costar Gary Merrill, from the jump-start the movie gave Marilyn Monroe's career and the capstone it put on director Joseph L. Mankeiwicz's.All About "All About Eve" is not only full of rich detail about the movie, the director, and the stars, but also about the audience who loved it when it came out and adore it to this day. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
I've seen the movie All About Eve an embarrassing number of times, and I've wondered often about how this little gem of classic film came to be. All my questions are answered in Sam Staggs' book -- in fact, he answers questions that had never occurred to me.
Yes, this book is full of juicy gossip, but that's not the heart of it (just the fun part). Staggs explores everything connected to this movie, from the much debated origins of the original short story "The Wisdom of Eve" to its assorted homages and reinventions everywhere from on Broadway to in porn. He explores much of what went into making the film -- script, acting, directing, editing, costumes, set, music -- and even spends a rather involved chapter digging into assorted show more interpretations of the text.
Mostly, this is a fan of the movie telling all he can find out to other fans of the movie, all in a chatty, breezy, very readable style. I stayed up late reading this because it was so much fun and so interesting. While it might delve into too much minutia for a casual reader, it holds treasure for classic movie buffs.
And I shall never think of Celeste Holm in the same way again. show less
Yes, this book is full of juicy gossip, but that's not the heart of it (just the fun part). Staggs explores everything connected to this movie, from the much debated origins of the original short story "The Wisdom of Eve" to its assorted homages and reinventions everywhere from on Broadway to in porn. He explores much of what went into making the film -- script, acting, directing, editing, costumes, set, music -- and even spends a rather involved chapter digging into assorted show more interpretations of the text.
Mostly, this is a fan of the movie telling all he can find out to other fans of the movie, all in a chatty, breezy, very readable style. I stayed up late reading this because it was so much fun and so interesting. While it might delve into too much minutia for a casual reader, it holds treasure for classic movie buffs.
And I shall never think of Celeste Holm in the same way again. show less
All About Eve is one of my favorite movies. I’ve seen it so many times that I can know lots of the dialogue by heart. Therefore, this book is right up my alley full of insider stories about casting the movie, the hot romance between Bette David and Gary Merrill, as well as how the movie jump started Marilyn Monroe’s career.
The author also continues his insider story to the musical Applause.... This is a juicy read for anyone who loves movies or theater.
The author also continues his insider story to the musical Applause.... This is a juicy read for anyone who loves movies or theater.
Lots of good tidbits, but feels padded out, as though author were scrambling to meet a "number of pages" requirement.
The amazing story behind the film ALL ABOUT EVE. From the short story THE WISDOM of EVE to the big screen and beyond. Staggs gives a wealth of information that even the casual ALL ABOUT EVE fan will savour.
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Author Information
16 Works 493 Members
Sam Staggs is the author of five books, including four biographies of movies: All About All About Eve, Close-Up on Sunset Boulevard, When Blanche Met Brando, and Born to Be Hurt. He has written for publications including Vanity Fair, Architectural Digest, and Opera News. He lives in Dallas, Texas.
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2000-03-18
- People/Characters*
- Tallulah Bankhead; Barbara Bates; Anne Baxter; Elisabeth Bergner; Claudette Colbert; Joan Crawford (show all 25); Paul Czinner; Bette Davis; Ron Field; Zsa Zsa Gabor; Edith Head; Alfred Hitchcock; Joseph L. Mankiewicz; Hugh Marlowe; Barbara McLean; Gary Merrill; Marilyn Monroe; Mary Orr; Gregory Ratoff; Thelma Ritter; George Sanders; Gloria Swanson; Elizabeth Taylor; Orson Welles; Darryl F. Zanuck
- First words
- A terse headline in Variety on September 27, 1951, told the news" Mankiewicz, 20th Sever Contract.
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir
- DDC/MDS
- 791.4572 — Arts & recreation Recreation, sports, and performing arts Movies, TV, Video Motion pictures, radio, television, podcasting Television Programs; television plays Single programs
- LCC
- PN1997 .A323 .S73 — Language and Literature Literature (General) Literature (General) Drama Motion pictures Plays, scenarios, etc.
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 196
- Popularity
- 166,493
- Reviews
- 4
- Rating
- (3.90)
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- ASINs
- 2
