Behold the Perfect Screenplay

[@danieldumas7361]

A friend of mine's 16 year old daughter was waiting for her date when she caught her dad watching this movie. Fifteen minutes into it, the door bell rang. She ran to the front door, dragged her boyfriend into the TV room and told him "Sit down & be quiet. We're not leaving 'til this is over". As I had recommended this film to my friend, he admitted that he had Never seen his daughter so focused. EVER!

[@line4169]

holy hell, that's a banger of a date.

[@johnpaulsylvester3727]

All About Eve has to be one of the tightest screenplays ever written. The dialogue, characters, and structure are essentially perfect.

[@charlessmyth]

The short story published in Cosmopolitan 1946 that is the basis of All About Eve kzbin.info/www/bejne/pX6rh3qOgZ55pZo

[@matthewschwartz6607]

Did Sanders deserve the Oscar for this?

[@luminiferous1960]

Thanks for your wonderful analysis of All About Eve. Not to minimize Mankiewicz's writing prowess, but the producer Darryl F. Zanuck deserves some credit for the quality of the final screenplay since he significantly edited Mankiewicz's writing. He provided numerous suggestions for improving the screenplay. In some sections, he felt that Mankiewicz's writing lacked subtlety or provided excessive detail. He suggested diluting Birdie Coonan's mistrust of Eve so the audience would not recognize Eve as a villainess until much later in the story. Zanuck reduced the screenplay by about 50 pages and chose the title All About Eve from the opening scene in which Addison DeWitt says that he will soon tell "more of Eve ... All about Eve, in fact." In addition, he tightened up the film by eliminating what he considered to be repetitive, superfluous, or mundane material when he edited the film. Also, the casting of Bette Davis as Margo Channing had a big impact on the final screenplay. Initially, the role went to Claudette Colbert, but she withdrew after an injury shortly before filming began. Mankiewicz briefly considered Ingrid Bergman before offering the role to Bette Davis. Margo had been originally conceived as genteel and knowingly humorous, but with the casting of Davis, Mankiewicz revised the character to introduce abrasive qualities.

[@LukeRanieri]

Synecdoche, epiplexis, catachresis - I’m learning a ton! Thanks so much for this video.

[@Selrisitai]

I _highly_ recommend Mark Forsyth's book _The Elements of Eloquence - How to Turn the Perfect English Phrase._ Even if you don't care for such books, you'll enjoy this one anyway. It's immensely entertaining in addition to being informative.

[@HighKingTurgon]

For what it's worth, that's not a synecdoche.

[@peterswires8439]

@@HighKingTurgon I'd have called it 'parallel construction'.

[@fantasticnisopta]

@@HighKingTurgonBrain?

[@ccmp7]

I can't help but be impressed by the depth of your analysis of the movies. Did I find "Spider Man No way home" weak? Yeah! Did I find Dr Octopus different? Yeah! But could I explain why? Of course not! Brilliant once again! What an excellent choice of movie to exemplify 👏🏼👏🏼

[@zetectic7968]

As a native English speaker I wasn't taught well at school, no grammar. So Synecdoche, epiplexis, catachresis are all Greek to me 😉 Love the analysis & have just bought the DVD as some how I have missed watching this classic film. Gradually catching up with your old videos & really enjoying then & learning new appreciation of movie making. Oh, and "Spider Man No way home" didn't like it but then I never got to read the comics so my understanding of the characters & back-stories is limited.

[@Shamsulrosunally]

Foof... your content is on another level. Nobody needs to spend money on film school anymore. I'm going to binge watch your content.

[@marieparker3822]

Those American films of the late 40s and 50s: totally amazing! And the acting! I love 'Sunset Boulevard' and 'Double Indemnity'. But of course, 'All About Eve' is probably unsurpassable.

[@rixx46]

About as perfect as movies get - funny, smart, profane and wicked. Endlessly quotable dialogue

[@pedrorocha9722]

You can never go wrong with Billy Wilder in his prime.

[@matheus5230]

All About Eve is not a Billy Wilder film.

[@pedrorocha9722]

@@matheus5230 Oh, did I say it was? I don't thing so. I said «You can never go wrong with Billy Wilder in his prime». Being Billy Wilder a screenwriter/director and being this video about screenwriting.

[@sk8adio42]

What a phenomenal discovery this is! There are so many thoughtful, well produced film channels available - we’re in a variable golden age - but this one vaults to the top. I have to pace myself so as to not consume them all in one overwhelming swallow. Great work!

[@sanjayraisoni6866]

I like the swap of veritable for variable. We are in a variable age.

[@thankyoujodi]

Subtext portion is gold. Hope to hear more of that!

[@SimonBishop779]

Subtext: skip the grammar lesson, gramps.

[@miketrotman9720]

Dude, you skipped over some extra brilliance in the screenplay: that last shot of the new girl standing between 2 mirrors, with her reflection projected into infinity: it's saying, subtextually, that the Eves are endless, like masses of newborn spiders. They'll keep coming and coming to feed on the spiders who preceded them.

[@rosezingleman5007]

And as far as Eve’s ongoing relationship with Addison, George Sanders was a master with the gals in real life.

[@teddymweresa6209]

Phenomenal video especially for a young aspiring film maker like me I really hope your channel blows up some day as I find most of your videos really educative thank you

[@Moviewise]

That’s one of my intentions! Thank you for the comment

[@gurpreetsinngh941]

Please make video on Roy Andersson

[@MarkFrankUK]

I loved this - currently reading playlets for a competition and most of the entries should have watched this video. Another way of thinking about subtext that I was once told is that being angry and just ranting is boring (unless you have the poetic genius of Shakespeare) but being angry and struggling not to show it is powerful (or funny) and interesting - goes for almost any emotion or motive.

[@gilliganIII]

I am doing data entry on a spreadsheet and often listen to videos in the background, but yours' is one of the few channels I have to stop and watch. I appreciate the complexity and entertaining nature of these videos! Thank You!

[@reptongeek]

All About Eve is one of my favourite films. I try and watch it every year

[@matthewschwartz6607]

I’m interested in all of the scenes with George Sanders . He’s so snarky that it’s just fun (Even his suicide note is a classic.).

[@TheTonyEntertainment]

suicide note?

[@jaimeXDgo]

What an academical analysis you make, dude. Every time I watch one of your videos I come out with a few extra opened pages in Google just to read about them, or a new movie recomendation.

[@garvey4034]

Thank you so much. I remember watching this movie many years ago and enjoying it. After viewing your video, I’m propelled to see movie again.

[@Nad-A123]

Billy Wilders 'Some Like it Hot' Damn - that movie just sizzles!!

[@Sidionian]

Best Screenplays: Amadeus, Casablanca, Pulp Fiction, 12 Angry Men, Godfather 1 & 2, Clockwork Orange, Network, All About Eve, Gone with the Wind, Ben Hur, My Dinner with Andre, Bridge on River Quai.

[@NicoJvanZyl]

Fan...Tastic! An intelligent and insightful analysis, with humor and no regurgitated, stale old Screenplay "wisdoms".

[@gregsaltis1661]

Yes. Character is everything. One of my standards lines is "I will watch a movie about two rocks if A) I care about the rocks and B) I care about the relationship between the rocks. And these two only work if I am not manipulated into either one.

[@ppineault]

what a terrific analysis!....enjoyed every syllable, thank you so much :) 👍😘

[@James-nl6fu]

The best "swearing" in a screenplay is where you can't hear any. The words have already exploded, before they were even expressed❤️But I'm old and I grew out of it...eventually..when I learned to speak English.

[@hyperionsama]

I don’t know…. Tom cruise in tropic thunder had some great swears you have to hear it to appreciate it 😂😂😂

[@babylonian.captivity]

That was fabulous. It's been a few years since I last watched All About Eve and I've been meaning to for awhile now. Thanks for the nudge and inspiration.

[@BrotherLaymanPaul]

Great video. A deep and rich analysis; fun use of cultural references; but mostly for me, a great grammar/English lesson. Great combo of pedagogy and entertainment. Keep it up!

[@claduke]

On the one hand, I understand the value of subtext, but on the other hand, “I know writers who use subtext and they’re all cowards.” Love the channel, some of the best film analysis available rigjt now.

[@LittlePhizDorrit]

Loving the rhetoric lessons. Can't wait to see more!

[@user-of4kk4in9f]

This was really enjoyable! Subtext: I wish I'd thought of it😊

[@TheTonyEntertainment]

I just watched All about Eve because of you. It was wonderful!

[@johnnzboy]

Magnificently funny and unexpectedly educational - a mighty combination

[@unrealnews]

I think this is great. It shows how to make character work well when revealing them through dialogue. The only thing it doesn't really cover is having something to say and a reason to say it.

[@jonnyd6809]

The editing for these videos are a different level to anything else I've seen on KZbin.

[@matfresco]

I really did like it, I've already subscribed and I have now shared it with everyone I can think of. That was a masterful review. Thank you.

[@richardscanlan3419]

'All About Eve" would be in my all time top 5 films ever made.The acting,script and dialogue are nothing short of a work of art. And that snappy dialogue takes it to another level.The only film that came close was " Command Decision" 1948.Watch that for the monologue between Clark Gable and Walter Pidgeon.On the same level as AAE.

[@curtdilger6235]

I love this film and its script and suggest Network as another superb example of screenwriting cheers love your work

[@528491Inception]

Best screenplay ever written in my opinion is 'The Bridge Over The River Kwai'

[@Moviewise]

Terrific choice! I even made a video about that spectacular screenplay

[@528491Inception]

@@Moviewise What's the title of the video? I'll watch that now! I love the movie because it's a movie of 2 halves with 3 acts in each half. Plus it's the text book definition of dramatic irony.

[@Moviewise]

The video is called “How Movies Should Deliver Messages” and I have the feeling you’ll like it

[@SymbolCymbals2356]

I loved the last bit where each eloquent line is proceeded by it’s translation to subtextless equivalent phrases like “fuck you”, it’s a better version of that Key and Peele sketch “Obama’s anger translator” lol

[@alexvlk]

Keep making these; they will eventually explode.

[@Auhia88]

All about eve is probably my favorite movie

[@Moviewise]

A most exquisite choice!

[@Auhia88]

@@Moviewise I love movies from the 50s, it was the golden periode of Hollywood.

[@jorgemendez9082]

Absolutely brilliant analysis, as usual.

[@siempra78]

11:27s the writers of The Boys intentionally made Homelander say something contradictory, because his world is of people around him that are too fearful to correct him. So, he lives in a bubble where he is always being told yes and he is right. That's a character flaw, not a writing one. So, Ashley is perplexed in how to respond, as it would possibly shorten her life to correct the short-tempered superman on his insult. ***Good video by the way, a very thorough breakdown on writing for film.

[@wowzers94]

Your videos and analysis are fantastic! Keep up the great work!

[@Elcore]

From mY pOinT of vIeW, this video was an excellent close analysis.

[@wmmseo]

Awesome, just awesome!

[@Finsirith]

I love the final "subtext analysis"!

[@EthanBurgers]

3:29 "All about Eve, in fact." "That's the name of the movie!" So perfect!😂

[@totallyfrozen]

Your videos give me hope! I’m seeing that not every screenwriter knows what they’re doing. It seems many rather successful, big league writers aren’t really very good. The same goes for directors. So my chances just shot up from 0 to 1 in a million! Woo hoo.

[@joegotham27]

Another really well thought out and argued presentation!

[@stvp68]

Camoens!!! Don’t think I’ve ever heard him mentioned on YT! 👍🏼

[@RGBEAT]

This is really just about dialog though, not about character desires, wants, needs, etc.

[@agranero6]

About Camões the orinal says "em perigos e glórias guerras esforçados, Mais do que prometia a força humana" . Yeah it is a faithful translation. The example is valid.

[@N_Loco_Parenthesis]

Give me Moviewise's duelling subtext over Epic Voice Guy doing snarky trailers any day. [16:28]

[@TiagoCavalcanti-ji6hu]

IMHO, the best screenplays ever written are: 1. Twelve Angry Men; 2. Primer; 3. The Man From Earth.

[@thomasfahey8763]

Sleuth -- directed by you know who. My Dinner with Andre, The Third Man, The Maltese Falcon, Chinatown...

[@hvitekristesdod]

Great video! Haven’t seen this but will put it on my watchlist 😀 My favourite screenplay is probably Miller’s Crossing 🙌

[@Reinhardt.douglas]

I was almost sure that you were portuguese-speaker, as am I, as to judge by your accent. But after hearing you say "Camões", I am now sure hahah big fan here, btw! Keep up the great job

[@YodasPapa]

I watched the film half way through the video and really enjoyed it. I gotta say I instantly understood why Monroe became such a star. I mean she can't act very well (imo based on this small role) but she absolutely glows on screen. It was really remarkable.

[@alidabaxter5849]

Marilyn had an incredible relationship with the camera. The others use words brilliantly, but Marilyn used hardly any and you still remember her. All About Eve is a sublime film with a sublime script!

[@MarcosElMalo2]

Thank you for not doing a video covering 5 aspects of screenwriting. Three is my limit. By the time the video is over, I’ll have forgotten the first two points. A singular point is best of all-assuming your presentation is engaging and entertaining, I am sure to remember it. This video was engaging and entertaining. It was very good that you focused on a single movie/screenplay as the good writing example and a handful of familiar bad ones as the bad examples. I suspect it doesn’t matter how many different films you use because you’re not doing a snarky tear down of bad writing, you’re using their unsatisfactory writing to underline the excellence of the good writing in What About Eve.

[@marianoclerici3986]

Network has one of the best scripts ever

That introducing character names edit 🤣 Now that's comedy

[@matibraun2023]

When you're on fire missing your limbs it's hard to be poetic

[@Moviewise]

Touché

[@James-Tanner]

Me “Those words sound made up” Movie wise “All so does your name”

[@elizabethpalladino8301]

Perfect analysis of a great screenplay. I would love to hear you analyze "The Third Man."

[@westernnoir4808]

Nice work.

[@marcdraco2189]

Is it just me or is the blocking in All About Eve exemplary?

[@GhettoFabulousLorch]

For those who are nervous about watching old black and white movies there was a 90s remake of AAE called Showgirls. Beautiful film.

[@totallyfrozen]

I really like the B&W films because they come from a time before SFX and stunning colors. So the writing had to be good.

[@enkiitu]

Hahahaha Showgirls was a DISASTER!

[@desuretard8654]

Why would someone be nervous about watching b&w movies?

[@elijahalbiston]

@@desuretard8654 Since we've grown up with colored television we look for it to keep us invested. Black and white films call back to a much older time and the quality of films seem lower. (Of course, it's only the timeless black and white classics that are suggested so the idea that they're lower quality is really just a bias).

[@ericvaldivieso4202]

Welcoming readers of the following five screenplays - to rate them from best to worst (1 to 5) - The Apartment, Chinatown, The Best Years Of Our Lives, Some Like it Hot, and All About Eve?

[@andremesquita69]

I'm a simple man. I hear Camōes' name, I subscribe!

[@DEWwords]

wonderful

[@belot217]

My favorite part is how Eve, from the audience's POV, doesn't truly resemble Margo in mannerisms until the new girl shows up.

[@tezzag818]

You are brilliant.

[@normanleach5427]

Brilliant expose'.

[@jedgould5531]

I’m a J-graduate from USC and nobody took the time to give me such fascinating language lessons. I was going to learn Spanish. 🥺\/ErY gOOd

[@asmodon]

The ending is hysterical 😅

[@rosscorr]

You can listen to All About Eve as if it were a play, turn off the vision, and you will still understand it. That is what makes it so great. It is also probably why a younger audience would never appreciate it. I wonder what a modern director would do with the same script today. I think Kenneth Branagh's somewhat pointless film remakes of Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile demonstrate this. Great source material ruined by unnecessary action scenes and pointless and excessive editing.

[@ari1234a]

Your thoughts on Montenegro also known as Montenegro - Or Pigs and Pearls would be appreciated. Its also here on KZbin if You cannot find it anywhere else.

[@Moviewise]

Wow, I watched that film some 10 years ago and this is the first time someone mentioned it till now. I thought it was the best Makavejev film I’d seen, but I only watched Sweet Movie and WR besides it. The only thing I really remember is the text in the ending (about the food), which I thought was greatly creative.

[@robotone2812]

That last example was of two people in a desperate situation, so they spoke directly, to the point. But fine. In the future, if you get into a desperate life and death situation, don’t forget to speak in subtext and metaphors! 🎊 🎉

[@andrewcunningham8873]

That’s what I was thinking too.

[@thispersonwriting1889]

Jokes on you, I ain't beholding squat.

[@ramonacosta2647]

Greatest screenplay of all time has to be Plan 9 from Outer Space.

[@VinceLyle2161]

Here to put in a vote for "Broadcast News" as a really good screenplay.

[@daniellabra4186]

You're a genius...

[@بوعلي-ز3م]

‏17:24‬‏ this bit made me laugh on a movie a like.

[@madalinam6183]

I'm savoring your videos like precious treats. 🎩📴

[@matthewschwartz6607]

I would say The Godfather . A lot of people would probably say Citizen Kane . I never saw the movie, though. But it’s usually listed and ranked as the best movie .

[@ronami3176]

I really really love your essays! The aspects you point out, the tone and the style of your edits!! Great work!! But your audio levels are all over the place - is this intentional?

[@Selrisitai]

Be honest. You've read Mark Forsyth's _The Elements of Eloquence - How to Turn the Perfect English Phrase,_ right?

[@taras417]

When you mentioned the dialogue from "Spider-Man: No Way Home," there's a fun scene near the end of the film where Tobey Maguire's original Peter Parker explains his organic webbing to his fellow Spider-Men. However, this scene completely irked me. He explains it like this: "I wish I could tell you, but it's like, I don't do it. Like, I don't do breathing. Like, breathing just happens." A brilliant and experienced scientist struggles to find words to explain this to his also scientist friends, even though he could easily say that it is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. It honestly looks like Marvel screenwriters believe every line of dialogue is meant for the audience to understand, without considering if it makes sense within the context of the world and characters. This isn't even an excuse, since he provides an analogy to a process (breathing) people should have learned in primary school.

[@LionelBishop-k6j]

I think some of the best movies worked by entertaining the audience. Not telling the audience what it already knew, take the Matchmaker scene from Mrs. Doubtfire as an example. It's dumb and serves no purpose, but it was an entertaining segway. The Doc Oc scene is the exact opposite.

[@Fantumh]

My idiot brain was fucked by way too many rhetorical terms.

[@JamesWilliams-se3vr]

Best screenplay ever written, that’s just too difficult. Having said that.. I’d push Dangerous Liaisons (Christopher Hampton) into the ring. Any thoughts on that?

[@eottoe2001]

My pick for the best screenplay is REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE.

[@hrossaman]

*Instant subscribe

[@floydffrogfloydffrog7453]

(thinks) "My god, he's right." (speaks) "Those sorts of things do leave an impression, I suppose." Brilliant Brilliant Author Author!!! Hey this screenwriting stuff ain't so hard. To heck with ol' Mank.

[@dattebenforcer]

Army of Darkness is the best screenplay, and the best movie overall.

[@jawswasnevermyscene4258]

I am thinking OF your videos

[@LordBaktor]

I'm extremely bad at catching subtext and hidden meaning in what people say, both in fiction and in real life, so this movie's brilliance would probably fly over my head at Mach 10 without me even noticing.

[@marieparker3822]

Perhaps watch more of these films, and you will gradually begin to find it easier to catch subtext and hidden meanings?

[@genin69]

And a character is only as good as his actions. If they dont match the words then u have a problem. As in life. U struggle with people because often their words dont match their actions and u feel uneasy. Like things are not in balance