I 💚 Classic Cinema

Movie critic confession: Until last night, I'd never seen All About Eve.

I'd always heard good things about it, though, so it was perennially on my to-watch list. Turns out, back in 1951, it was awarded the Academy Award for Best Picture, beating out one of my all-time favorites, Sunset Boulevard. Coincidentally, both were stories that revolved around aging actresses.

Unlike Sunset Boulevard that immediately draws you in with clever narration and the memorable image of the man's body floating in a pool, however, All About Eve was a bit of a slow starter. But once you were properly introduced to the characters (Bette Davis's famed Margo Channing, in particular), it was impossible to tear yourself away without knowing where the story was headed.

In addition to being a sucker for films in glorious black & white, what I probably loved most about All About Eve is its timeless quality. While the film may have released before my mother was born (!!!), the themes about celebrity and the lengths that young stars will go to fast-track their careers, still resonate today.

Plus, like the best movies, it's got plenty of memorable catchphrases. My favorite? "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night." Yes, it was indeed.