Newsletter: Classic Hollywood: A few things about ‘All About Eve’

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his is Susan King, veteran movie writer for the Los Angeles Times and guardian of the Golden Age of Hollywood galaxy. Every Friday in my Classic Hollywood newsletter, I write about TV and movie milestones, must-see vintage TV programming, notable births and deaths, DVD releases and my memories of legends I have interviewed over the years. 

One of cinema’s gems is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year: Joseph L. Mankiewicz's “All About Eve.” The film received 14 Oscar nominations -- the most of any film of that time -- and earned six Academy Awards, including best film, supporting actor for George Sanders and director and screenplay for Mankiewicz.

Anne Baxter, left, and Bette Davis in “All About Eve.” That’s Marilyn Monroe in the background.

(Hulton Archive / Getty Images)

Anne Baxter, left, and Bette Davis in "All About Eve." That's Marilyn Monroe in the background. (Hulton Archive / Getty Images)

A superlative, biting and sophisticated drama, “All About Eve” stars an Oscar-nominated Bette Davis at the top of her powers as Margo Channing, a well-loved but aging actress, and Anne Baxter, also a lead actress nominee, as Eve Harrington. Eve is an ambitious super fan who cleverly insinuates herself into Margo’s life, nearly upending the veteran’s career and personal relationships. The film's cast includes Celeste Holm and Thelma Ritter, who earned supporting actress nominations; Hugh Marlowe; Gary Merrill, who married Davis before the film’s release; and a young Marilyn Monroe.

On Oct. 13, the anniversary of its original New York opening date, “All About Eve” will have a special screening at Laemmle’s Royal in West Los Angeles. There’ll be a trivia contest, as well as a pre-screening discussion with film critic/historian Stephen Farber. So fasten your seat belts, it’s going to be a fabulous night!

Around town

I was so in love with Sidney Lumet’s “Dog Day Afternoon” and its star Al Pacino, I saw it five times when it was released. (By the way, I had a great poster of the actor decorating my college dorm room.) I keep shaking my head in disbelief that the film is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. 

Chris Sarandon, center, in “Dog Day Afternoon.”

(Warner Bros. / Warner Bros.)

Chris Sarandon, center, in "Dog Day Afternoon." (Warner Bros. / Warner Bros.)

This Saturday evening, American Cinematheque’s Egyptian Theatre is celebrating the milestone event with a screening of “Dog Day Afternoon” followed by a conversation with Pacino and “Rush Hour” director Brett Ratner. All I can say is “Attica! Attica!” 

The film earned six Oscar nominations, including best film, director, actor and supporting actor for Chris Sarandon. Frank Pierson won the Academy Award for his screenplay. The screening is sold out but there may be some stand-by tickets available. 

Don't touch that dial

Sony Pictures Television Network’s GetTV, which features vintage films from the Sony library, is expanding its programming. A few weeks ago, it introduced a western TV series Saturday programming block including 1965-66’s “A Man Called Shenandoah” with Robert Horton; 1965-67’s “Laredo”; and 1971-72’s “Nichols,” starring James Garner.

This Monday evening, GetTV kicks off its new variety night with the legendary 1963-64 “The Judy Garland Show” and the classic talk series “The Merv Griffin Show.” The evening will also feature a rotating slate of musical variety specials and series; on tap is the 1969 special “Carol Channing and Pearl Bailey on Broadway.”

Judy Garland, right, rehearses with daughter Liza Minnelli on the set of her musical variety series, “The Judy Garland Show,” on July 15, 1963.

(CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images)

Judy Garland, right, rehearses with daughter Liza Minnelli on the set of her musical variety series, "The Judy Garland Show," on July 15, 1963. (CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images)

TV milestone

“Dog Day Afternoon” isn't the only classic celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. So is NBC’s Emmy Award-winning “Saturday Night Live.”

Television audiences -- I was one of those tuning in -- heard the words “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night” for the first time on Oct. 11, 1975. The first guest host was the one-and-only George Carlin. Billy Preston and Janis Ian were the musical guests. Andy Kaufman lip-synced to the “Mighty Mouse” theme song (”Here I come to save the day”), and there was short film by Albert Brooks called “The Impossible Truth.” And of course, the Not Ready for Prime Time Players -- Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman -- were catapulted into stardom. 

From the Hollywood Star Walk

Notable births this week include John Lennon (Oct. 9); Helen Hayes (Oct. 10); Thelonious Monk (Oct. 10); Irene Rich (Oct. 13); Cornel Wilde (Oct. 13); Robert Walker (Oct. 13); Lillian Gish (Oct. 14); Roger Moore (Oct. 14); and Allan Jones (Oct. 14)

Webb of sophistication

Clifton Webb was an opera singer at 17, a nightclub dancer, a vaudeville performer and a Broadway star before he made his film debut at 51 in Otto Preminger's classic 1944 film noir “Laura,” for which he earned a supporting actor Oscar nomination. He would go on to make nearly 20 more movies, earning Academy Award nominations for 1946’s “The Razor’s Edge” and 1948’s “Sitting Pretty.” He appeared in 1954’s “Three Coins in the Fountain” and 1957’s “Boy on a Dolphin,” which was Sophia Loren's first American film. He died of heart failure at age 76 on Oct. 13, 1966, five years after he retired from films. Here is the L.A. Times obit as it appeared in print on Oct. 14, 1966.

For more vintage Hollywood, go to the Classic Hollywood Los Angeles Times Facebook page and follow me on Twitter at @mymackie.