In the mid-1950s, Christine Costner Sizemore's fate became well-known throughout America. In a book, her doctor described how Sizemore had struggled since childhood with a multiple-personality disorder that almost took her life. The book depicted how Sizemore was tossed between her existence as a quiet housewife in Savannah, and then transformed into a reckless, promiscuous barfly in the neighboring city of Atlanta. "The Three Faces of Eve" became a major bestseller and was sold in hundreds of thousands of copies.
The following year, director Nunnally Johnson bought the film rights on behalf of 20th Century Fox. Judy Garland was originally offered the lead, but when she turned it down, young actress Joanne Woodward was approached instead. Although she only had a few occasional TV appearances in her résumé, that was not considered a problem. Why? After reading the script, Fox's film consultant declared that whoever played Eva would probably win an Academy Award.
A costume designer created several different "transition dresses" to make it easier for Woodward when she shifted between Eve's three different personalities. When she was supposed to be Eve Black, the sultry, seductive woman, her dress was sewn in, so it was tighter and more revealing. These were mainly subtle changes, but they worked. Filming then took about two months and came in well under budget. And, yes, Woodward did win an Oscar for her portrayal.
After living a quiet, anonymous life, Chris Costner Sizemore returned to the public in 1989. She had now fully recovered and therefore wrote a book, "A Mind of My Own", about her experiences. Actress Sissy Spacek wanted to film it, but 20th Century Fox objected on the grounds that Sizemore had already signed away her life rights. So, she sued the studio and eventually accepted an out-of-court settlement. But "A Mind of My Own" never made it to the silver screen.
The following year, director Nunnally Johnson bought the film rights on behalf of 20th Century Fox. Judy Garland was originally offered the lead, but when she turned it down, young actress Joanne Woodward was approached instead. Although she only had a few occasional TV appearances in her résumé, that was not considered a problem. Why? After reading the script, Fox's film consultant declared that whoever played Eva would probably win an Academy Award.
A costume designer created several different "transition dresses" to make it easier for Woodward when she shifted between Eve's three different personalities. When she was supposed to be Eve Black, the sultry, seductive woman, her dress was sewn in, so it was tighter and more revealing. These were mainly subtle changes, but they worked. Filming then took about two months and came in well under budget. And, yes, Woodward did win an Oscar for her portrayal.
After living a quiet, anonymous life, Chris Costner Sizemore returned to the public in 1989. She had now fully recovered and therefore wrote a book, "A Mind of My Own", about her experiences. Actress Sissy Spacek wanted to film it, but 20th Century Fox objected on the grounds that Sizemore had already signed away her life rights. So, she sued the studio and eventually accepted an out-of-court settlement. But "A Mind of My Own" never made it to the silver screen.