Of course they couldn't get the rights to the screenplay for 'ALL ABOUT EVE' from 20th Century-Fox when Comden & Green first began to tackle this project.
Which is why Addison DeWitt is missing. He wasn't in the original (slim) story by Mary Orr, which is what they had to use to base the musical on.
Then, late in the process, 20th Century-Fox relented and gave them the rights, which is why the occasional line/song like 'Fasten Your Seat Belts' slips in.
Anyway, they always wanted to make it more 'ALL ABOUT MARGO,' so I guess they were satisfied with what they had, minus Mr. DeWitt, etc.
I missed Bacall, but saw Anne Baxter twice, and thought she was terrific. And I liked the show a lot, too.
I also saw Christine Ebersole in the Encores! presentation, and felt she kind of did a 'Betty Grable' with it, which really didn't work for me at all.
And the show is dated. Much like 'MAME,' I think it would take an awfully imaginative director and a GREAT STAR to ever bring it back successfully. |
