From the moment she glimpses her idol at the stage door, Eve Harrington is determined to take the reins of power away from the great actress Margo Channing. Eve maneuvers her way into Margo's Broadway role, becomes a sensation and even causes turmoil in the lives of Margo's director boyfriend, her playwright and his wife. Only the cynical drama critic sees through Eve, admiring her audacity and perfect pattern of deceit.
Writing
Dialogue so sharp it'll draw blood, darling.
Acting
Bette Davis weaponizes every syllable and side-eye.
Costume
Margo's off-shoulder black dress: iconic, immediate, devastating.
Director
Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Bette Davis
Margo Channing
Anne Baxter
Eve Harrington
George Sanders
Addison DeWitt
Celeste Holm
Karen Richards
Gary Merrill
Bill Sampson
Hugh Marlowe
Lloyd Richards
Thelma Ritter
Birdie Coonan
Gregory Ratoff
Max Fabian
Marilyn Monroe
Miss Caswell
Barbara Bates
Phoebe
Walter Hampden
Aged Actor
Randy Stuart
Girl
Craig Hill
Leading Man
Barbara White
Autograph Seeker
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Bette Davis based Margo's mannerisms on her rival Tallulah Bankhead, who never forgave her.
The 'bumpy night' line was almost cut; Davis fought for it, creating cinema's greatest passive-aggressive toast.
US
