"All About All About Eve"

As anyone who knows me will tell you, I have an obsession as well as an extensive knowledge of classic films and classic movie trivia. "All About Eve" is one of my all-time favorites! It's undoubtably one of if not the greatest performances Bette Davis ever gave. It's perhaps only eclipsed by Baby Jane, however, Jane is a completely different sort of character so I'm not sure there's really a comparison. It's a true quality film and an extremely intelligent one.

Sam Staggs' book tells the story in excruciating detail! Everything you could possibly want to know about the original story, "The Wisdom Of Eve", published in Cosmopolitan magazine, to the true story that was based on, to the on-set antics and casting issues. I've rarely read a book as well researched. You get a real sense of the genius behind this picture and how important it really was. I didn't think it was possible, but I actually liked one of my old favorite movies even more after reading so much about it! Staggs has a great conversational and sometimes hilariously bitchy and honest way of presenting the information, making the book not only extremely informative, but great fun to read! I couldn't put it down. If you have any interest at all in the film itself, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, classic films, or moviemaking in general, this is an extremely informative and well presented look at what goes into the making of a classic. He gets into the psyche and motives of people like Bette Davis and director/screenwriter Joeseph Mankiewitz. All in all, a marvelous book! Sam Staggs has also written books on the making of "Sunset Boulevard", "A Streetcar Named Desire", and most recently "Imitation Of Life", all of which I look forward to reading!