MovieChat Forums > Born to Be Bad (1950) Discussion > We might presume this was an ALL ABOUT E...

We might presume this was an ALL ABOUT EVE knock-off

posted 18 years ago by Swift-12
8 replies | jump to latest

Both films were made in 1950, and I would imagine that one drew upon the other. But EVE will always remain a classic; this one is soap opera, artful at times but ultimately cheesy. Fontaine eases Joan Leslie out of her engagemnt to Zack Scott, so she can marry the millionaire herself. What is Eve-like is the pleasantness surrounding her duplicity. But too, Mel Ferrer's supporting role serves a very similar function as George Sander's character in EVE. Both are cynical egoists who are honest about their priorities -- everyone knows these men are incapable of deep vulnerability and their friendship ultimately depends on what others can do for them.... nevertheless, they are so upfront about it that they receive the support they need. And Christabel/Eve use them both as ladders to ascend into higher society.

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[–] TCall2004 16 years ago

I think it's great on its own merits.

Joan Fontaine does GREAT conniving b**ch!

And the clothes were to die for.

[–] mrob26 16 years ago

A bit of irony in that Anne Baxter, the actress who ultimately lost out for the lead in Rebecca, and Fontaine would star in similar vehicles and in the same year.

[–] mike54191 14 years ago

That's not clear to me based on the information posted on the net. Born to be bad is based on a novel by Anne Parrish, All kneeling, published in 1928. All about Eve was based on a short story by Mary Orr, The Wisdom of Eve, published in 1946

All about Eve finished production in early June 1950 before Born to be bad started on 6/20/50 so it's entirely reasonable to believe that Born to be bad may have had it's script punched up to be more like the perceived hit of All about Eve.

In any event, based on this information, I wouldn't presume that it was a knock off. It deserves further study.

[–] Swift-12 14 years ago

Alright, I'll chalk it up to zeitgeist. Just like I get lost in a blur of similarities in the 80s/early 90s with fare like Fatal Attraction.

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[–] bron-tay 12 years ago

I agree that it's more of a coincidence than anything else. The physical similarity between Eve and Christabel was pretty striking, though!

I can't agree (someone above) that Born to be Bad does well on its own merits. Even without the shining contrast of All About Eve, it comes off as a wannabe. Flashes of superficial wit do not equal intelligence. A valiant performance by Robert Ryan cannot redeem the character as written. Despite his effort, if it ain't on the page, it ain't on the stage.

~~~~~~~
Think cynical thoughts.

[–] mark-gerald-sullivan 12 years ago

Hello, I just read that this film was actually made in 1948 but for some reason not released until 1950. That means it pre-dates the filming of ALL ABOUT EVE? Correct me if I am wrong but I read it right here on IMDB.com. What is so surprising is that Joan Fontaine had also played a sweet but lethal woman in her 1947 film, IVY. In that film she resorts to the murder of both her husband AND her lover in order to ensnare, yes, another millionaire! (superbly portrayed by Herbert Marshall) All we see in that admirable characterization is--once again---a lovely, "innocent" woman, so perfectly graceful, so divinely elegant and demure that no one could possibly imagine her capable of killing her lover and her husband. This film may have formed the basis for Joan Fontaine's stellar performance in BORN TO BE BAD. Small details in the film (the 1948 Cadillac) give it away as having been shot prior to 1950. Let's look it up. Any ideas??

[–] Swift-12 12 years ago

Good observations about the production dates and of Joan's roles. A 1940s moviegoer might expect a Fontaine character to be a meekling, a la Letter from an Unknown Woman, Suspicion, Rebecca, or Jane Eyre. It would then be an unexpected happy surprise to see her in duplicitous roles like Ivy and Born to Be Bad.

I don't think I've seen IVY; it sounds good.

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[–] kerrydragon 11 years ago

I was thinking about Anne Baxter in "All about Eve",all through this movie,in regards to Joan Fontaine's sweet manipulation and personality.I also thought she looked like,the mother in Leave it to Beaver.She certainly had a lovely speaking voice,and I loved her hair,and clothes.