1950
Mousy fan Eve Harrington ingratiates herself with theater legend Margo Channing, subtly manipulating those around Margo to become her understudy. Eve's machinations escalate as she sabotages Margo's performance, blackmails Karen into securing a lead role, and attempts to seduce Margo's fiancé, Bill. Cynical critic Addison deWitt recognizes Eve's ruthless ambition, exposes her deceitful past, and demands a marriage of convenience to control her career. Now a celebrated but lonely star, Eve returns home after receiving an award, only to encounter Phoebe, a young, ambitious fan mirroring her own past.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A seasoned Broadway star, Margo Channing, encounters the seemingly devoted Eve Harrington, whose ambition and cunning unsettle Margo’s world.
Open full beat sheetEve Harrington is listed as Aspiring actress. Young, mousy trench coat, large luminous eyes, ambitious. In the parsed data, Eve Harrington is connected to 25 scenes, 92 dialogue lines, 96 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
25 scenes / 92 dialogue linesMargo Channing is listed as Star of the Theater. Attractive, strong face, childish, adult, reasonable, unreasonable, always positive. In the parsed data, Margo Channing is connected to 23 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
23 scenes / 10 dialogue linesKaren Richards is listed as Playwright's wife. Lovely, thirtyish, best friend of Margo Channing. In the parsed data, Karen Richards is connected to 17 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
17 scenes / 12 dialogue linesAddison deWitt is listed as Critic and commentator. Not young, not unattractive, fastidious dresser, sharp of eye and merciless of tongue. In the parsed data, Addison deWitt is connected to 13 scenes, 75 dialogue lines, 76 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
13 scenes / 75 dialogue linesBill Sampson is listed as Director. Youngish, vital, undisciplined. In the parsed data, Bill Sampson is connected to 12 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
12 scenes / 9 dialogue linesLloyd Richards is listed as Playwright. Late thirties, sensitive, literate. In the parsed data, Lloyd Richards is connected to 11 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
11 scenes / 9 dialogue linesMax Fabian is listed as Producer. Sad-faced man with glasses, look of constant apprehension. In the parsed data, Max Fabian is connected to 7 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 35.
7 scenes / 2 dialogue linesBirdie Coonan is listed as Margo's maid. Fiercely loyal to Margo. In the parsed data, Birdie Coonan is connected to 7 scenes, first appearing around scene 3.
7 scenes / 0 dialogue linesMiss Caswell is listed as Actress. Addison's protegee-of-the-moment. In the parsed data, Miss Caswell is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 15.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesPhoebe is listed as Fan. Young girl, president of Eve Harrington club. In the parsed data, Phoebe is connected to 1 scene, 24 dialogue lines, 28 text mentions, first appearing around scene 36.
1 scenes / 24 dialogue linesThe Sarah Siddons Award ceremony is underway. Addison deWitt narrates the event, introducing key figures including Karen Richards, Max Fabian, and Margo Channing, before Eve Harrington is announced as the winner.
Addison deWitt, Karen Richards, Margo Channing, Max Fabian, Eve HarringtonKaren Richards arrives at the theater in a taxi and encounters Eve Harrington waiting in an alley.
Karen Richards, Eve HarringtonKaren introduces Eve to Margo, Lloyd, and Birdie. Eve shares her life story, and Bill Sampson makes a brief, chaotic appearance before leaving for Hollywood.
Eve Harrington, Karen Richards, Margo Channing, Lloyd Richards, Birdie Coonan, Bill SampsonMargo, Bill, and Eve arrive at the airport. Eve offers to handle the baggage check to give Margo and Bill a moment alone.
Margo Channing, Bill Sampson, Eve HarringtonBill departs for Hollywood while Margo and Eve watch.
Margo Channing, Bill Sampson, Eve HarringtonMargo reflects on Eve's arrival and their subsequent three weeks together.
Margo Channing, Addison deWittEve assists Margo with correspondence and household tasks.
Margo Channing, Eve Harrington, Birdie CoonanMargo finishes a performance and talks with Eve.
Margo Channing, Eve HarringtonMargo and Eve discuss the dressing room decor and Eve's behavior.
Margo Channing, Eve Harrington, Birdie CoonanMargo catches Eve mimicking her.
Margo Channing, Eve HarringtonMargo receives a surprise phone call from Bill.
Margo Channing, Bill SampsonMargo questions Birdie about Eve.
Margo Channing, Birdie Coonan, Eve HarringtonMargo toasts Karen.
Margo Channing, Karen RichardsEve asks Karen to help her become Margo's understudy.
Karen Richards, Eve Harrington, Birdie CoonanThe party guests discuss the nature of theater people.
Karen Richards, Bill Sampson, Max Fabian, Addison deWitt, Miss Caswell, Eve HarringtonMargo is drinking heavily at a party, acting erratically, and interacting with Bill, Lloyd, Max, and Eve.
Margo Channing, Bill Sampson, Lloyd Richards, Karen Richards, Max Fabian, Eve HarringtonLater in the party, Margo is moodily drinking and insisting on hearing Liebestraum repeatedly.
Margo Channing, Birdie Coonan, Bill Sampson, Max FabianMargo and Max discuss Miss Caswell and Eve in the pantry.
Margo Channing, Max Fabian, Lloyd RichardsMargo arrives at the theater two weeks later for the audition.
Margo ChanningMargo encounters Addison, who reveals the audition is already over.
Margo Channing, Addison deWitt, Miss CaswellMargo confronts Bill, Lloyd, and Eve on stage about the audition.
Margo Channing, Max Fabian, Lloyd Richards, Bill Sampson, Eve HarringtonKaren reflects on her decision to play a prank on Margo.
Karen Richards, Lloyd RichardsLloyd, Karen, and Margo are stranded in the snow when the car runs out of gas.
Lloyd Richards, Karen Richards, Margo ChanningAddison eavesdrops on Bill and Eve, then enters to manipulate Eve into using him to advance her career.
Addison deWitt, Eve Harrington, Bill SampsonKaren encounters Eve and Addison at 21; Addison hands Karen his column about Eve.
Addison deWitt, Eve Harrington, Karen RichardsMargo and Karen read Addison's column; Bill arrives to comfort Margo.
Karen Richards, Margo Channing, Bill SampsonLloyd and Karen discuss Eve and the possibility of casting her in his new play.
Karen Richards, Lloyd RichardsThe group celebrates Bill and Margo's engagement; Eve summons Karen to the Ladies' Room.
Addison deWitt, Eve Harrington, Karen Richards, Margo Channing, Lloyd Richards, Bill SampsonEve blackmails Karen into helping her get the part of Cora.
Eve Harrington, Karen RichardsKaren and Lloyd argue about Eve Harrington after a mysterious phone call.
Karen Richards, Lloyd Richards, Eve HarringtonA girl calls Lloyd to report Eve is hysterical.
Eve Harrington, Lloyd RichardsAddison and Eve discuss the upcoming opening night.
Addison deWitt, Eve HarringtonAddison walks Eve to her room.
Addison deWitt, Eve HarringtonAddison confronts Eve about her lies and her relationship with Lloyd.
Addison deWitt, Eve HarringtonEve accepts an award and gives a speech.
Eve Harrington, Karen Richards, Lloyd Richards, Max Fabian, Bill Sampson, Addison deWittEve finds a fan in her apartment and Addison returns her award.
Eve Harrington, Phoebe, Addison deWittHonored members of Sarah Siddons Society, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: What is there for me to say? Everything wise and witty has long since been said - by minds more mature and talents far greater than mine. For me to thank you as equals would be presumptuous - I am an apprentice in the Theater and have much to learn from you all. I can say only that I am proud and happy and that I regard this great honor not so much as an award for what I have achieved, but as a standard to hold against what I have yet to accomplish.
That I should want you at all suddenly strikes me as the height of improbability. But that, in itself, is probably the reason. You're an improbable person, Eve, and so am I. We have that in common. Also a contempt for humanity, an inability to love or be loved, insatiable ambition - and talent. We deserve each other. Are you listening to me?
I hid outside in the hall till the maid came to turn down your bed. She must've forgot something and when she went to get it, she left the door open. I sneaked in and hid till she finished. Then I just looked around - and pretty soon I was afraid somebody'd notice the lights were on so I turned them off - and then I guess, I fell asleep.
It seemed to me I had known always that it would happen - and here it was. It felt helpless, that helplessness you feel when you have no talent to offer - outside of loving your husband. How could I compete? Everything Lloyd loved about me, he had gotten used to long ago...
If - instead of waiting until next season to do 'Footsteps on the Ceiling', which is in pretty good shape - and if Margo can be talked into going on tour with 'Aged in Wood' - we could put 'Footsteps...' into production right away...
Then tell me this isn't true! That your concern for your play and career is one thing - and that poor frightened hysterical girl another - and that your concern for her has nothing to do with either your play or your career!
Addison, won't it be just perfect? Lloyd and I - there's no telling how far we can go... he'll write great plays for me, I'll make them be great! You're the only one I've told, the only one that knows except Lloyd and me...
I had lunch with Karen not three hours ago. As always with women who want to find out things, she told more than she learned... do you want to change your story about Lloyd beating at your door the other night?
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