Spine #1003
Distributor: Criterion Collection (USA)
Release Date: November 26, 2019
Region: Region A
Length: 02:18:28
Video: 1080P (MPEG-4, AVC)
Main Audio: English Mono Linear PCM Audio
Subtitles: English SDH
Ratio: 1.37:1
Bitrate: 35.34 Mbps
Notes: ‘All About Eve’ has been released previously on Blu-ray by 20th Century Fox in a Digi-book edition and with standard packaging. This new Criterion edition offers a marginally superior transfer of the film and adds some new supplementary material to what was included on that earlier release. A DVD edition of this title is also available.
“Bette was letter-perfect. She was syllable-perfect. There was no fumbling for my words; they’d become hers – as Margo Channing. The director’s dream: the prepared actress.” –Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Many have praised All About Eve for Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s “devastatingly witty” screenplay for the same reasons others have criticized it. Some call the film “literate” while others describe it as “talky.” Those who prefer film stories to be told in a purely visual manner will inevitably lament the seemingly endless stream of dialogue, but those who have been weaned on the American theater will rejoice in the witty banter. This reviewer falls somewhere between these extremes as there is absolutely no reason why both approaches cannot coexist (even within the same film). What’s more, the argument seems to ignore the simple fact that there is plenty of pantomime going on throughout the film’s duration. The pleasure of this film lies as much in how various characters are behaving (or reacting) as it does in the immensely quotable dialogue.
This backstage tale follows Margo Channing (Bette Davis) as she entertains a surprise dressing-room visitor: her most adoring fan, the shy, wide-eyed Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter). As Eve becomes a fixture in Margo’s life, the Broadway legend soon suspects that her supposed admirer intends to use her and everyone in her circle as stepping-stones to stardom.
All About Eve was an Academy darling and earned fourteen Oscar nominations. In fact, it would take home the statue for Best Picture, Best Director (Joseph L. Mankiewicz), Best Adapted Screenplay (Joseph L. Mankiewicz), Best Supporting Actor (George Sanders), Best Costume Design – Black and White (Edith Head and Charles LeMaire), and Best Sound Recording (Thomas T. Moulton). Unfortunately, Bette Davis and Anne Baxter’s Best Actress nods ended up canceling each other out, and Celeste Holm and Thelma Ritter may have done likewise in the Best Supporting Actress category. That’s perfectly okay, however, since the most important award that this film has earned is its status as a timeless classic.
The Presentation:
4 of 5 Stars
The Criterion Collection packages their two Blu-ray discs in a twin foldout with two rubber hubs. Like many other collectors, this reviewer really prefers Criterion’s usual clear case presentations. In fact, this particular release is less attractive and durable than many of their similar releases (the Digipak packaging for titles such as Night of the Living Dead and Silence of the Lambs was superior). However, it must be said that the artwork by Greg Ruth is rather attractive. Also included is a small booklet that contains artwork, an essay by Terrence Rafferty entitled “Upstage, Downstage,” and “The Wisdom of Eve” by Mary Orr. (Orr’s short story provided the inspiration for the film.) Of course, the usual technical credits are also included.
We can’t say that Criterion’s packaging is more attractive than the 20th Century Fox Digi-book released in 2011, but the text included in Criterion’s booklet is certainly more worthwhile than the press fodder found in that earlier release:
Criterion’s packaging does at least hold the discs in place better than Fox’s packaging.
Criterion’s static menus are rendered in their usual style and are both attractive and easy to navigate.
Picture Quality:
4.5 of 5 Stars
This Criterion transfer was taken from a 4K restoration of the film. While this might mislead fans into thinking that this is a “new” restoration and a significant upgrade from the original 20th Century Fox Blu-ray release of the film, the fact is that close scrutiny would suggest otherwise. It is an upgrade, but the improvements here seem to be the result of a superior encode of the same restoration transfer used for Fox’s earlier release of the film. While the earlier disc had an average Bitrate of 25.49 Mbps, Criterion’s release has a Bitrate of 35.34 Mbps. However, those who see this as a criticism should think again. The restoration efforts undertaken by Twentieth Century Fox from a “35mm composite fine-grain, on loan from the Museum of Modern Art” resulted in a terrific transfer years ago.
In other words, the marginal improvement may not demand an upgrade from those who already own the earlier Blu-ray, but it should certainly please those who haven’t added All About Eve to their Blu-ray collection. The gorgeous black and white image exhibits a fair amount of find detail and has a filmic appearance thanks to a well-resolved layer of grain. There may have been a bit of digital tampering on the part of 20th Century Fox during their restoration work, but this never results in a problematic image. What’s more, there aren’t any age related anomalies (rips, tears, dirt, debris, warps, watermarks, etc.) to distract the viewer.
Sound Quality:
4.5 of 5 Stars
One could argue as to whether this Linear PCM transfer of the film’s original Mono mix is an improvement over Fox’s surround mix, but it is impossible to argue against the simple fact that this is more faithful to the original theatrical presentation of the film. The so-called “purists” will prefer this track as it is a very strong rendering of the original audio. It is a bit flat, but it is unreasonable to expect it to be otherwise! Dialogue is clean and clear throughout the duration, and the other elements are well always well balanced. Those listening for issues may detect a slight hiss during certain portions of the track, but this is never distracting. In fact, one wonders if it would be noticeable to those who aren’t listening for such issues.
Special Features:
5 of 5 Stars
Disc 1:
Feature Length Audio Commentary with Celeste Holm, Ken Geist (Mankiewicz Biographer), and Christopher Mankiewicz (son of Joseph Mankiewicz)
This variety pack of a commentary offers plenty of information to keep fans of the film entertained. It’s an informative track that only occasionally meanders. It adds an enormous amount of value to the package. Interestingly, Geist mentions that he isn’t a fan of the Sam Staggs book on the film. Unfortunately, he never mentions why he doesn’t care for it.
Feature Length Audio Commentary with Sam Staggs
It’s surprising to report that the scholarly commentary track by Sam Staggs is probably even more informative than the first track as Staggs literally “wrote the book” on All About Eve. He reveals a wealth of production information and is consistently engaging throughout the duration (even if some of the information is repeated in other supplements). Usually, these third party tracks tend to leave one wanting, but this is a terrific exception to that particular rule.
Disc 2:
AMC Backstory: All About Eve – (24:21)
Once upon a time, AMC actually played American Movie Classics! Really! During this period, the channel would air a program called AMC Backstory. Each episode examined a different film’s production and release history, and this is one of those episodes. It’s a nice look at the “making of” All About Eve that features original and archival interview footage of Celeste Holm, Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Thomas Mankiewicz (the director’s son), Rudy Behlmer, and Roy Moseley. It’s a great carry-over from the Fox disc.
All about Mankiewicz (1983) – (01:46:45)
All about Mankiewicz is a two-part documentary by Michel Ciment that is built from a wealth of interview footage from conversations with Joseph L. Mankiewicz about his life as a filmmaker. There are some occasional stills and screenshots used for illustration, but the program mostly consists of interview footage. It’s a terrific addition to a very strong supplemental package and the most significant of the new Criterion features.
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz – (26:02)
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz is yet another terrific program that focuses on Mankiewicz. In fact, the information in this short documentary may be more digestible than the two-part interview with the director discussed above. It focuses primarily on his career as a director and features interviews with Christopher and Thomas Mankiewicz, Kenneth Geist, and archival interview footage with the director himself. The commentary provided by these interviewees is illustrated by film footage, marketing materials, and production stills from the various films being discussed.
Joseph L. Mankiewicz: A Personal Journey – (25:59)
This program features Christopher and Thomas Mankiewicz and focuses on the private life of their father. Kenneth L. Geist (Joseph’s biographer) also chimes in with biographical information. It’s a substantial addition to the supplemental package. There is quite a bit of interesting information here and it is always engaging.
The Real Eve – (18:11)
The Real Eve is one of the most surprising treats included in this package! It is yet another carry-over from the original Fox disc, and it contains some incredibly interesting information. The interview portions with Jonathan Kuntz and Harry Haun give the viewer a wealth of information about the true story that inspired Mary Orr’s short story (“The Wisdom of Eve“), but the real meat is audio from a very combative dinner meeting between Orr and Martina Lawrence (the real-life inspiration for the Eve in her story). It’s essential viewing.
The Secret of Sarah Siddons – (07:02)
The Secret of Sarah Siddons may be less interesting than The Real Eve, but it is another worthwhile featurette. This one zeroes in on the real-life Sarah Siddons Society and their Sarah Siddons award (neither of which existed when Joseph L. Mankiewicz penned All About Eve.
The Dick Cavett Show (1969) – (19:56)
This excerpt from an episode of ‘The Dick Cavett Show‘ was shot and aired on December 31, 1969. It features an amusing interview with Bette Davis, and is an absolute treat for anyone who admires the actress.
The Dick Cavett Show (1980) – (28:42)
A full half-hour episode featuring Gary Merrill from June 18, 1980 is also engaging.
Larry McQueen on the Costumes in All About Eve – (17:56)
Larry McQueen (Costume Historian) discusses the costumes from All About Eve and how they help to forecast information about the characters. “Behind the scenes” details about some of the costumes are also divulged here. It’s a worthwhile addition to the supplemental package that will add to one’s appreciation of the film.
Vintage Bette Davis Promotion – (01:16)
This “promotional film” is a trailer of sorts that finds Bette Davis providing an obviously scripted answer to an obviously scripted question before moving to some very short clips from the film that is livened by hyperbolic statements meant to make the viewer run out and see the film. It’s a treat for anyone who loves marketing material and a nice inclusion on this release. (One only wished that Criterion had carried over the Vintage Anne Baxter Promotion as well.)
Lux Radio Theater Adaptation of All About Eve (1951) – (59:55)
This Lux Radio Theater adaptation of All About Eve originally aired on October 01, 1951 and found Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, and Gary Merrill reprising their original roles. Reginald Gardiner took over the memorable role of Addison DeWitt. It’s interesting to compare the truncated radio play to the feature length film version.
What Isn’t Included?
For some strange reason, the following newsreels and trailers haven’t been carried over from the 20th Century Fox’s original Blu-ray:
1951: Academy Awards Honor Best Film Achievements – (02:30)
Newsreel footage from the 1951 Academy Awards was fairly disappointing and focused mainly on Darryl F. Zanuck’s win for producing All About Eve.
1951: Hollywood Attends Gala Premiere of All About Eve – (01:56)
This footage from the Gala Premiere is probably the strongest of the newsreels that featured on the Fox disc. Luckily, the majority of this newsreel is seen in the AMC Backstory documentary (which is included in Criterion’s supplemental package).
Holiday Magazine Awards – (02:50)
The least interesting of the four absent newsreels was footage of an awards presentation. While the award was presented for All About Eve, no one from the production was on hand to receive the award.
Look Magazine Awards – (01:54)
Raw newsreel footage of Bob Hope presenting “Look” magazine awards to both Joseph L. Mankiewicz and Bette Davis. Time has taken a toll on the sound elements and is sometimes inaudible, but there are some nice moments here despite being obviously scripted and posed for the newsreel crew.
Vintage Anne Baxter Promotion – (01:19)
This is very much like the Bette Davis Promotion found on this disc and as the short interview clip of Anne Baxter is obviously scripted and followed by trailer-style scenes from the film. (In fact, the trailer-like final portion of this promo is exactly the same footage used in the Bette Davis Promo.)
Theatrical Trailer – (03:08)
This standard theatrical trailer is more typical of the trailers used during this era. At the end of the day, these newsreels and marketing trailers are minor losses. However, they did make nice additions to the Fox disc and could have easily been carried over to the Criterion disc (especially considering that the video-based supplemental material is included on a separate disc). One wonders if their omission was merely an oversight.
Final Words:
All About Eve is a classic and will remain one throughout the ages. Criterion’s Blu-ray edition is a minor upgrade from the original Fox edition. Unfortunately, the Digi-book packaging and the absence of some of the earlier disc’s minor supplements keeps this from being an absolutely essential upgrade for anyone who already owns that earlier disc. However, those who haven’t added All About Eve to their collections will want to grab this Criterion edition as it comes Highly Recommended.