The Three Faces of Eve (1957)

A doctor treats a woman suffering from Multiple Personality Disorder.

Director:

Nunnally Johnson

Writers:

Nunnally Johnson (screenplay), Corbett Thigpen (book) (as Corbett H. Thigpen M.D.)

Stars:

Joanne Woodward, David Wayne, Lee J. Cobb

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Joanne Woodward	...	Eve White / Eve Black / Jane
David Wayne	...	Ralph White
Lee J. Cobb	...	Doctor Curtis Luther
Edwin Jerome	...	Doctor Francis Day
Alena Murray	...	Secretary
Nancy Kulp	...	Mrs. Black
Douglas Spencer	...	Mr. Black
Terry Ann Ross	...	Bonnie White
Ken Scott	...	Earl
Mimi Gibson	...	Eve - Age 8
Alistair Cooke	...	Narrator

Storyline

Eve White is a quiet, mousy, unassuming wife and mother who keeps suffering from headaches and occasional black outs. Eventually she is sent to see psychiatrist Dr. Luther, and, while under hypnosis, a whole new personality emerges: the racy, wild, fun-loving Eve Black. Under continued therapy, yet a third personality appears, the relatively stable Jane. This film, based on the true-life case of a multiple personality, chronicles Dr. Luther's attempts to reconcile the three faces of Eve. multiple personalities.

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Plot Keywords:

multiple personality | psychiatrist | multiple personality disorder | dissociative identity disorder | younger version of character | 

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Taglines:

THE STRANGEST TRUE EXPERIENCE A YOUNG GIRL IN LOVE EVER LIVED!

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 September 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Three Faces of Eve

Filming Locations:

Stage 8, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$965,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System) 4-Track Stereo

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Winning the Best Actress Academy Award for this film, Joanne Woodward became the first actress to win an Oscar for portraying three different personalities.

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Goofs

In at least two scenes, including the opening with Eve being driven to the doctor's office, there are cars in the background newer than 1951 when the scene is indicated to be taking place.

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Quotes

Eve Black: Don't you want to get me one?
Ralph White: Well, I've never seen you take a drink before.
Eve Black: Honey, there are a lot of things you've never seen me do before. That's no sign I don't do 'em.

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Crazy Credits

introducing Alistair Cooke distinguished journalist and commentator

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Connections

Referenced in Force of Darkness (1985)

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Soundtracks

I Never Knew (I Could Love Anybody Like I'm Loving You)
(uncredited)
Written by Tom Pitts, Ray Egan and Roy K. Marsh
Revised by Paul Whiteman
Performed by Joanne Woodward

User Reviews

A Gal With TOO Much Personality!!!

I suppose the one thing Eve White could never be accused of, in the 1957 movie "The Three Faces of Eve," is not having enough of a personality! In fact--to the consternation of her dullard Georgian husband, and the amazement of shrink Lee J. Cobb--she's got three distinct personalities that tend to emerge quite unexpectedly. The first is Eve White herself, a mousy dishrag of a housewife; then there's "Eve Black," an extroverted, hard-drinking party girl; and finally "Jane," a nice, well-spoken young woman. As portrayed by Joanne Woodward in her Oscar-winning role, this mixed-up gal becomes a very believable and sympathetic figure. Woodward is actually pretty amazing here, and it is quite remarkable how she is able to switch on a dime from one personality to another, using all the actor's tricks of mannerisms, voice inflections, accents and so on. Cobb is also excellent, as usual, as the soft-spoken, patient doctor who tries for years to help her, and David Wayne is also fine as Eve's husband, who, in one fascinating scene, seems to cheat on his wife WITH HIS OWN WIFE! The psychological explanation of why Eve has become what she is may strike some as too pat, but we shouldn't forget that this is all based on a real-life case history. However, as Danny Peary reminds us in his fun book "Alternate Oscars," the real-life Eve had not been cured at the time this film was made, but rather required 17 years' worth of additional therapy, during which time a full 22 personalities came forth! But I guess that would have made for a very depressing 10-hour movie! And I wholeheartedly agree with Peary that Woodward deserved an Oscar for her work here. Heck, under the circumstances, they should've given her three!