All About Eve - before a München fuel-stop

Well the classic movie from 1950 had to be Bette Davis in 'All About Eve', the fourth or fifth time I have seen it but there is always something permanent about the enjoyment of a movie which was as well directed, written and acted as this one. And what a star-studded cast - Bette Davis, George Sanders, Celeste Holm, Anne Baxter, and even Marilyn Monroe in a cameo to which she did more than justice. In this unusually long 138 minute classic, director Joseph L Mankiewicz in a beautifully shot black and white movie, show-cases Bette Davis in one of her most memorable roles and introduces Anne Baxter in her first, but not last, starring role - perfect casting.

In the vein of Hollywood movies it was pure gold.  Set in Manhattan and telling the story of theatre life in all its insecurities and dishonesty, with the rampant exesses of ego and the falseness of the casting world. Having experienced a little of the casting-couch myself, I know exactly how true this system is, and it is not to be trusted. Broadway, and Hollywood, are the realms of the moneymakers and the power-mongers and have little to do with Art although it takes of lot of talented artists to make a movie like this one, which did achieve a few Oscars I believe.

Celeste Holm as Karen with herwriter husband Lloyd

Bette Davis as Margo, in full flightin a great restaurant scene

Margo and her younger man..

Anne Baxter as Eve, passing the poisoned chalice to the next ingénue...final scenes of a great movie.

My two neighbours on this leg are a couple headed for Munich, and real Germans they are too. Both immersed in their large hard-covered novels, they are sturdy and sufficent in their travel skills not once getting up for a pee until just an hour ago when they had to, and I followed them quick smart as I had been eight hours sitting without my accustomed aisle-walk which I think is esential for a healthy long air trip. Still my bladder held well and it is sure that you must think ahead if you take the window seat as I chose to do this time. The aisle seat is always the freer one and that is where I plan to sit on my return, with many aisle walks to keep the blood flowing and the bladder empty.

Now just time for another movie, this time Italian...

It was an Italian youth road moviemade by students of film at Pisa Universitá. Translated as 'So far so good' it was a three day excerpt from the lives of five close friends, acting and film students in today's unemployed and somewhat destitite Europe. 

An overriding theme was the suicide one of their brothers who had thrown himself under car to simulate an accident. However it wasn't as bleak as it sounded, as it was filmed with Italian panache and the young people were all visually appealing. But the truth is, where ARE they going, in an Italy which is fast becoming bankrupt like its neighbouring Greece and whose young people feel they have no future in their once beloved country?

So many young Europeans are now discovering the superior way of life in Australia and New Zealand that they are keen to leave the country of their heritage and try life in the Southern Hemisphere. However this movie was a good example of the classy talent existing in the Italian film industy but like all Indie road movies, it will make no money for anyone, let alone the actors and crew.

Such is life in modern day Europe, tough, and a little sad if you care to scratch the surface a little.

La ultima pellicula...The Latin Loverstarring  the legendary Virna Lisi, amongst  others.

You couldn't get a more latin movie than one about an Italian lothario, who had six different daughters by six of of his wives, or lovers I'm not sure, but who actually was gay and in love with his stand-in. Reminds me of the great love affair of Randolph Scott and Alan Ladd in Hollywood.

 But it was on sure ground that this film was made and it worked, perfectly. A classic small movie the Italians do so well, using the backdrop of village streets and traditions, with Spain and France added for extra spice. All actors were seasoned and it was a veritable romp in the hay. Addictive, like smoking as the film said. A rom-com to end all rom-coms, à l'italienne,