All About Eve story
All About Eve is a 1950 American drama film written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck. It is based on the 1946 short story (and subsequent 1949 radio drama) "The Wisdom of Eve" by Mary Orr, although Orr does not receive a screen credit.
23 total · 4 choice · 13 major · 6 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| coping with aging | choice | At the center of the story is Margo Channing, an aging Broadway star. She had recently turned 40 and was self-conscious about it. Her worry turned into borderline hysteria when she was eclipsed, and had her position usurped, by a younger and equally talented actress: Eve Harrington. The story ended with the implication that Eve herself might well have the same fate to look forwards to, as she was contrasted with the even younger Phoebe. |
| coping with being washed up | choice | At the center of the story is Margo Channing, an aging Broadway star. She had recently turned 40 and was self-conscious about it. Her worry turned into borderline hysteria when she was eclipsed, and had her position usurped, by a younger and equally talented actress: Eve Harrington. The story ended with the implication that Eve herself might well have the same fate to look forwards to, as she was contrasted with the even younger Phoebe. |
| the desire to pursue one's dream | choice | At the center of the story is the titular Eve Harrington, and the story leads up to the revelation that underneath Eve's humble and modest exterior she was, in fact, unscrupulous and ruthless in the pursuit of her dream of becoming a theater (and possibly Hollywood) sensation. |
| young character vs. old character | choice | The aging Broadway star Margo Channing was compared and contrasted with the young and equally talented aspiring actress Eve Harrington. Eve posed as humble and modest in order to get into Margo's circle, but was in fact sly and completely ruthless as she plotted to usurp Margo's position. The story ended with the implication that Eve herself might well have the same fate to look forwards to, as she was contrasted with the even younger Phoebe. |
| acting | major | The aging Broadway star Margo Channing was compared and contrasted with the young and equally talented aspiring actress Eve Harrington. |
| appearances can be deceiving | major | Behind her innocent and humble exterior, Eve was cunning and ruthless in the pursuit of her dream of becoming a star of theater and film. |
| coping with someone who is a threat to replace you | major | The aging Broadway star Margo Channing saw her position usurped by the younger and equally talented aspiring actress Eve Harrington, who had slyly maneuvered herself into Margo's group of acquaintances. |
| false friend | major | Eve posed as a friend to Margo and her clique, but cruelly betrayed Margo by usurping her role in an upcoming theatrical production. |
| female-female rivalry | major | The aging Broadway star Margo Channing saw her position usurped by the younger and equally talented aspiring actress Eve Harrington, who had slyly maneuvered herself into Margo's group of acquaintances. |
| pride goes before a fall | major | Margo was exceedingly proud of her acting accomplishments and something of a diva. But Eve came along and usurped her position. |