All About Eve

1. All About Eve Learning Goal: Understand how the film deals with the theme of group identity

2. Quick write: Who is the most important character in this scene? How does the audience know this?

3. How does one belong to this group?

4. Group Identity The ‘theatre folk’ have a sense of unity and familiarity which makes joining this group difficult. They see it as prestigious, historical and very important.

5. Group Identity “The Sarah Siddons Award for Distinguished Achievement is perhaps unknown to you. It has been spared the sensational and commercial publicity that attends such questionable 'honors' as the Pulitzer Prize - and those awards presented annually by that film society.”

6. Group Identity Theatre Stars Theatre Directors Theatre Playwrights Producers Theatre Actors Critics Hollywood “The Sarah Siddons Award for Distinguished Achievement is perhaps unknown to you. It has been spared the sensational and commercial publicity that attends such questionable 'honors' as the Pulitzer Prize - and those awards presented annually by that film society.”

7. Members of the group • Margo – “a true star and will always be a star”. Her entire life is a performance. • Bill – is cynical about the theatre and not quite held prisoner. Is able to direct a film in Hollywood then return to the stage. • Lloyd – is annoyed that Eve likes “anything Miss Channing is in” and uses Eve to increase his own place on the hierarchy.

8. It is hard to leave the group • Birdie – a former Vaudeville actor who is now Margo’s companion. • Everyone at the Sarah Siddons Award dinner, including the waiters is either an actor, former actor or someone involved in the theatre. “I have been proud and privileged to spend my life in the theatre”

9. Group Identity What does the film tell the audience about the power of group identity? • It defines them Margo is always performing • Karen notes, “stop being a star… What’s attractive on stage might not necessarily need be what’s attractive off stage.” • Bill comforts her by saying, “I love you, you’re a beautiful and intelligent woman and a great actress. You have every reason for happiness”

10. Group Identity What does the film tell the audience about the power of group identity? • It boosts their ego • “All of the worlds rolled into one and all of a sudden we’re gods and goddesses” – Margo Lloyd’s insecurities come from his place in the group • “It’s about time the piano realised it has not written the concerto”

11. Group Identity • How does the film convey this? Their dialogue is littered with references to stage. “This is my cue to take you in my arms and reassure you. But I'm not going to. I'm too mad…” “Cut! Print it! What happens in the next reel? Do I get dragged off screaming to the snake pits?” • This shows how deeply ingrained this life is as part of their identity. They are always performing for each other.

12. Group Identity • How does the film convey this? We call these references allusions “The atmosphere is very MacBeth-ish...what has, or is about to, happen?” What is Lloyd alluding to? “We are going to miss the third act. They’re going to play it off stage.” What is Addison alluding to?

13. So what’s going on here?

14. Addison • Not part of the group – he criticizes the others for a living! • “I have no other world, no other life” • He desperately wants to be. He preys on young potential actresses because he does know the right people, such as Max, but is unsuccessful with Miss Casswell. • He helps Eve and once he has his own ticket “to the party” he moves on from her, leaving her to pursue Hollywood alone.

15. Draw a concept map showing the relationships between characters in and out of the group.

16. Return to Learning Goal: • Understand how the film deals with the theme of group identity Check your understanding: • Do you know: • Which characters are used to explore this theme and how? • Which cinematic techniques are used in exploring this theme? • What the film’s message is about group identity? /4