ANNE BAXTER
AND FILM NOIR
Anne Baxter, a versatile actress, made notable contributions to the film noir genre during her career. While she is perhaps best known for her Academy Award-winning role in "All About Eve" (1950), Baxter's performances in several film noir movies showcased her ability to portray complex and compelling characters within the dark and atmospheric world of the genre.
One of Baxter's most significant contributions to film noir came in the 1946 movie "The Razor's Edge." Although not a typical film noir, it incorporated elements of moral ambiguity and psychological depth, which are characteristic of the genre. Baxter played the role of Sophie MacDonald, a troubled and vulnerable woman who becomes entangled in a destructive relationship. Her performance was praised for its emotional depth and complexity, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Baxter also appeared in the 1947 film "The Sleeping City," a lesser-known but notable entry in the film noir canon. In this movie, she portrayed a nurse named Joy, who becomes embroiled in a murder investigation. Baxter's portrayal captured the essence of a classic femme fatale, displaying a mix of seductiveness and danger. Her character's motives and loyalties remained uncertain throughout the film, adding to the tension and mystery.
In addition to these films, Baxter made appearances in other movies with noir elements, such as "Guest in the House" (1944) and "Angel on My Shoulder" (1946). While not strictly classified as film noir, these films explored themes of deception, manipulation, and moral ambiguity, which are often associated with the genre.
Baxter's performances in these films showcased her range and versatility as an actress. Her ability to portray complex and morally ambiguous characters added depth to the narratives and contributed to the overall tone and atmosphere of the films. While perhaps not as closely associated with film noir as some other actresses of the era, Baxter's contributions to the genre remain noteworthy.
One of Baxter's most significant contributions to film noir came in the 1946 movie "The Razor's Edge." Although not a typical film noir, it incorporated elements of moral ambiguity and psychological depth, which are characteristic of the genre. Baxter played the role of Sophie MacDonald, a troubled and vulnerable woman who becomes entangled in a destructive relationship. Her performance was praised for its emotional depth and complexity, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Baxter also appeared in the 1947 film "The Sleeping City," a lesser-known but notable entry in the film noir canon. In this movie, she portrayed a nurse named Joy, who becomes embroiled in a murder investigation. Baxter's portrayal captured the essence of a classic femme fatale, displaying a mix of seductiveness and danger. Her character's motives and loyalties remained uncertain throughout the film, adding to the tension and mystery.
In addition to these films, Baxter made appearances in other movies with noir elements, such as "Guest in the House" (1944) and "Angel on My Shoulder" (1946). While not strictly classified as film noir, these films explored themes of deception, manipulation, and moral ambiguity, which are often associated with the genre.
Baxter's performances in these films showcased her range and versatility as an actress. Her ability to portray complex and morally ambiguous characters added depth to the narratives and contributed to the overall tone and atmosphere of the films. While perhaps not as closely associated with film noir as some other actresses of the era, Baxter's contributions to the genre remain noteworthy.
AVAILABLE FILMS:
ALL ABOUT EVE (1950)
ANGEL ON MY SHOULDER (1946)
BEDEVILLED (1955)
BLUE GARDENIA, THE (1953)
CHASE A CROOKED SHADOW (1958)
CRASH DIVE (1943)
FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO (1943)
GUEST IN THE HOUSE (1945)
I CONFESS (1953)
MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS, THE (1942)
NORTH STAR, THE (1943)
ONE DESIRE (1955)
PURPLE HEART, THE (1944)
SWAMP WATER (1941)
WALLS OF JERICHO, THE (1948)
ANGEL ON MY SHOULDER (1946)
BEDEVILLED (1955)
BLUE GARDENIA, THE (1953)
CHASE A CROOKED SHADOW (1958)
CRASH DIVE (1943)
FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO (1943)
GUEST IN THE HOUSE (1945)
I CONFESS (1953)
MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS, THE (1942)
NORTH STAR, THE (1943)
ONE DESIRE (1955)
PURPLE HEART, THE (1944)
SWAMP WATER (1941)
WALLS OF JERICHO, THE (1948)
VIDEO TRIBUTE:
Anne Baxter

Anne Baxter was an American actress born on May 7, 1923, in Michigan City, Indiana. She came from a family with a strong background in the entertainment industry, as her father was the co-owner of a chain of theaters. Baxter's early exposure to the world of acting and theater influenced her decision to pursue a career in acting.
Baxter began her acting career at a young age, making her stage debut in a production of "Seen But Not Heard" when she was just 13 years old. She then moved to Hollywood and made her film debut in the 20th Century Fox production "20 Mule Team" (1940). Despite starting in the film industry at a young age, Baxter's breakthrough role came in 1946 when she portrayed Sophie MacDonald in "The Razor's Edge," for which she received critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
One of Baxter's most iconic roles came in 1950 when she portrayed the conniving aspiring actress Eve Harrington in "All About Eve." Her performance in this film earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Baxter continued to showcase her versatility as an actress by appearing in a wide range of genres, including dramas, comedies, and thrillers.
Throughout her career, Baxter worked with renowned directors and actors, such as Alfred Hitchcock in "I Confess" (1953) and Cecil B. DeMille in "The Ten Commandments" (1956). She also had success on stage, earning a Tony Award for her role in the Broadway production of "The Razor's Edge."
In addition to her acting career, Baxter was involved in various philanthropic activities, including advocating for the rights of actors and supporting charitable organizations. She was married three times and had four children.
Anne Baxter passed away on December 12, 1985, in New York City, at the age of 62. Her contributions to the film industry, particularly her memorable performances in "The Razor's Edge" and "All About Eve," solidified her status as a talented and respected actress.
Baxter began her acting career at a young age, making her stage debut in a production of "Seen But Not Heard" when she was just 13 years old. She then moved to Hollywood and made her film debut in the 20th Century Fox production "20 Mule Team" (1940). Despite starting in the film industry at a young age, Baxter's breakthrough role came in 1946 when she portrayed Sophie MacDonald in "The Razor's Edge," for which she received critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
One of Baxter's most iconic roles came in 1950 when she portrayed the conniving aspiring actress Eve Harrington in "All About Eve." Her performance in this film earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Baxter continued to showcase her versatility as an actress by appearing in a wide range of genres, including dramas, comedies, and thrillers.
Throughout her career, Baxter worked with renowned directors and actors, such as Alfred Hitchcock in "I Confess" (1953) and Cecil B. DeMille in "The Ten Commandments" (1956). She also had success on stage, earning a Tony Award for her role in the Broadway production of "The Razor's Edge."
In addition to her acting career, Baxter was involved in various philanthropic activities, including advocating for the rights of actors and supporting charitable organizations. She was married three times and had four children.
Anne Baxter passed away on December 12, 1985, in New York City, at the age of 62. Her contributions to the film industry, particularly her memorable performances in "The Razor's Edge" and "All About Eve," solidified her status as a talented and respected actress.
quotes:
[on All About Eve (1950)] " I patterned Eve [Harrington] after the understudy I had in a Broadway play when I was 13. She actually threatened to finish me off. She was the bitchiest person I ever saw."
"I'm an actress, not a personality. It's more successful to be a personality. But can you use it in every role? I don't spill over into everything I do. I do what I do from inside someone else's skin."
"[on Hedy Lamarr in Cecil B. DeMille's Samson and Delilah (1949)] If I had just seen myself as Delilah, looking as Hedy did, I would still be talking about it."
"I noticed that not long after I turned blonde, people began behaving differently toward me, saying sillier things and playing more practical jokes. So I started giving it right back until pretty soon I realized that this wasn't the Anne I used to think myself, but quite a different character - a much more interesting one, I think."
"Alfred Hitchcock had turned me blond for I Confess (1953), and I'd stayed that way, at considerable cost in time and money and effort, until The Ten Commandments (1956) three years later. At which point, Cecil B. DeMille turned me auburn. The use of henna was prevalent in Egypt, and I was to play Egyptian Nefertiti's granddaughter Nefretiri. Actually I wore several wigs, but the picture went on so long I got used to myself reddish."
— Anne Baxter
trivia:
Maternal granddaughter of architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), born in Wisconsin, and his first wife, Catherine Tobin (1871-1959), born in Illinois.
Was initially cast in All About Eve (1950) because of her resemblance to Claudette Colbert. Miss Colbert was first signed for the role of Margo and the idea was to have Eve visually turn into Margo.
Was the top runner for the lead in Rebecca (1940) and completed several tests for it before David O. Selznick decided to cast Joan Fontaine at the last minute.
Turned down the role of Polly Cutler in Niagara (1953) and was replaced by Jean Peters. After her withdrawal, the film was reworked to highlight Marilyn Monroe.
While Bette Davis and Anne were both the stars of All About Eve (1950), it was thought that they would both stand a better chance at Oscar trophies if Anne were to be placed in the "Supporting Actress" category, thus avoiding each canceling the other out. Anne refused to be put in the supporting category. Sure enough, both actresses were nominated for "Best Actress" Oscars and both lost to Judy Holliday in Born Yesterday (1950).
Turned down the starring role in Too Much, Too Soon (1958), the overly dramatic, highly fictional retelling of Diana Barrymore's misfortunes. The role went instead to Dorothy Malone. | Replaced Lauren Bacall as Margo Channing in the Broadway hit "Applause", the musical adaptation of "All About Eve".
Was walking down Madison Avenue in New York City when she suffered her fatal brain aneurysm in 1985.
Studied with strong-willed dramatic coach Maria Ouspenskaya and their disagreements often resulted in clashes of temperament. | A 14-year-old Baxter was called in to test with a youthful Montgomery Clift as Tom, but the actor's acne was so bad at the time that the test was never made and both were sent back to New York by producer David O. Selznick.
Campaigned for the title role in Pinky (1949) but Jeanne Crain, who received a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her performance, was cast instead. | Starred in five Oscar Best Picture nominees: The Pied Piper (1942), The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), The Razor's Edge (1946), All About Eve (1950) and The Ten Commandments (1956). All About Eve won.
"Oh, Moses, Moses, you stubborn, splendid, adorable fool!", one of her lines in The Ten Commandments (1956), was included among the 400 quotes nominated for the American Film Institute's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes list. | Although she felt she was miscast in the role of Nefretiri (because of her Irish features), Baxter enjoyed watching The Ten Commandments (1956) on TV every Easter. She loved the film. | When she was a child, she fell out of a sled and broke her nose. She never fixed it because she wanted to be known for talent and not her appearance.
Smoked cigars and dyed her hair blond in the early 1950s in order to attract more publicity. She had left 20th Century-Fox and was freelancing at this point. She also transformed herself into a sex symbol, posing for cheesecake photos. The publicity stunt worked and she was offered glamorous roles.
Was initially cast in All About Eve (1950) because of her resemblance to Claudette Colbert. Miss Colbert was first signed for the role of Margo and the idea was to have Eve visually turn into Margo.
Was the top runner for the lead in Rebecca (1940) and completed several tests for it before David O. Selznick decided to cast Joan Fontaine at the last minute.
Turned down the role of Polly Cutler in Niagara (1953) and was replaced by Jean Peters. After her withdrawal, the film was reworked to highlight Marilyn Monroe.
While Bette Davis and Anne were both the stars of All About Eve (1950), it was thought that they would both stand a better chance at Oscar trophies if Anne were to be placed in the "Supporting Actress" category, thus avoiding each canceling the other out. Anne refused to be put in the supporting category. Sure enough, both actresses were nominated for "Best Actress" Oscars and both lost to Judy Holliday in Born Yesterday (1950).
Turned down the starring role in Too Much, Too Soon (1958), the overly dramatic, highly fictional retelling of Diana Barrymore's misfortunes. The role went instead to Dorothy Malone. | Replaced Lauren Bacall as Margo Channing in the Broadway hit "Applause", the musical adaptation of "All About Eve".
Was walking down Madison Avenue in New York City when she suffered her fatal brain aneurysm in 1985.
Studied with strong-willed dramatic coach Maria Ouspenskaya and their disagreements often resulted in clashes of temperament. | A 14-year-old Baxter was called in to test with a youthful Montgomery Clift as Tom, but the actor's acne was so bad at the time that the test was never made and both were sent back to New York by producer David O. Selznick.
Campaigned for the title role in Pinky (1949) but Jeanne Crain, who received a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her performance, was cast instead. | Starred in five Oscar Best Picture nominees: The Pied Piper (1942), The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), The Razor's Edge (1946), All About Eve (1950) and The Ten Commandments (1956). All About Eve won.
"Oh, Moses, Moses, you stubborn, splendid, adorable fool!", one of her lines in The Ten Commandments (1956), was included among the 400 quotes nominated for the American Film Institute's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes list. | Although she felt she was miscast in the role of Nefretiri (because of her Irish features), Baxter enjoyed watching The Ten Commandments (1956) on TV every Easter. She loved the film. | When she was a child, she fell out of a sled and broke her nose. She never fixed it because she wanted to be known for talent and not her appearance.
Smoked cigars and dyed her hair blond in the early 1950s in order to attract more publicity. She had left 20th Century-Fox and was freelancing at this point. She also transformed herself into a sex symbol, posing for cheesecake photos. The publicity stunt worked and she was offered glamorous roles.