Review of The Lady Eve (1941) by M S — 17 Jan 2007

Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda show their comic flair in this classic romantic comedy. Although Stanwyck starts out targeting the wealthy Fonda as a mark in a con game, she falls in love with him. After he discovers that she and her father are experienced con artists, Fonda feels betrayed and rejects her.

The rest of the movie revolves around Stanwyck's efforts to get even and to get Fonda to fall in love with her again by posing as the Lady Eve. This ploy is one of those comic devices that requires that we suspend disbelief and accept that Fonda does not recognize her deception. Stanwyck is beautiful, charming, tough, resilient, conniving, and just vulnerable enough to be sympathetic. Fonda's character is equally charming but naive, trusting, and clumsy, as well as thoroughly smitten with the Lady Eve. The onscreen chemistry is incredible and one cannot help getting caught up in the Lady Eve's entertaining and amusing schemes. Enjoy the escapades of [b][i]The Lady Eve[/i][/b]!