All About Eve: The Complete Behind-the-Scenes Story of the Bitchiest Film Ever Made

Sam Staggs presents a comprehensive chronicle of the 1950 film All About Eve, from its inception through production and lasting cultural impact. The book draws on interviews, studio archives, and correspondence to reconstruct the making of this Hollywood classic. The narrative covers the film's origins, casting decisions, and on-set dynamics between stars Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, and the rest of the cast. Staggs documents the involvement of writer-director Joseph L. Mankiewicz and producer Darryl F. Zanuck, detailing their creative process and studio politics. Technical aspects of the production receive thorough coverage, including cinematography, costume design, and editing choices. The book also explores the film's reception upon release and its influence on subsequent movies and popular culture. Through this extensive behind-the-scenes account, the book reveals broader themes about ambition, aging, and gender dynamics in mid-century Hollywood, while examining how these elements contributed to the film's enduring significance in American cinema.

Readers praise the detailed behind-the-scenes information and extensive research, with many noting the book reveals new facts even for longtime fans of the film. The interviews with cast, crew, and associates provide firsthand accounts that readers found valuable. Common criticisms focus on the author's writing style, which some readers call "gossipy" and "meandering." Several reviews note the book could have been shorter and more focused. A few readers objected to speculation about the sexuality of certain actors. What Readers Liked: - Research depth and historical context - Previously unpublished details - Coverage of both on-set dynamics and the film's legacy What Readers Disliked: - Repetitive sections - Too much focus on peripheral characters - Author's occasional editorializing Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (130+ ratings) Top review quote: "Exhaustively researched but could have used tighter editing. Still worth reading for any fan of classic Hollywood." - Goodreads reviewer

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🎬 Joseph L. Mankiewicz wrote the screenplay for "All About Eve" in just two weeks, basing it on Mary Orr's short story "The Wisdom of Eve," for which she was paid only $250 🎭 Bette Davis's famous line "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night" was originally written as "bumpy ride," but Davis changed it during filming 📚 Author Sam Staggs interviewed over 100 people connected to the film, including Bette Davis herself, over a period of five years while researching the book 🏆 "All About Eve" holds the record for most female acting Oscar nominations from a single film, with four: Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, Celeste Holm, and Thelma Ritter 🎯 Marilyn Monroe's small role in the film was one of her earliest speaking parts, and Zanuck initially wanted to cut all her scenes because he thought she spoke too slowly