MINI REVIEW:
THE LADY EVE (1941)
DIRECTED BY: PRESTON STURGES
STARRING: HENRY FONDA and BARBARA STANWYK
Another BRILLIANT Sturges comedy along the same sexy, controversial style of The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (one of my favorites). This one stars Stanwyk as a vampy con woman out to 'fleece' rich men on a steamship thru her skillfull hand at cards. Henry Fonda is the naive young man she captivates and who promptly wins her genuine affections. Of course there is the inevitable break-up when Fonda realizes that Stanwyk's original intentions were less than 'honorable'. Ins spite of their feelings, the two are split apart and over time-believe they have forgotten each other. That is, until Fonda's character is introduced to society lady 'Eve', a dead ringer for his lost love!

Sturges' dialogue is always witty, always intelligent,and unfailingly entertaining. The romantic and electric first moments between the couple when they meet are some of the best that I've seen from the genre, and truly proved that Fonda could hold his own in lighthearted fare of this kind. Stanwyk is at her best here, in that same off-beat quick tongued style of the day. Edith Head's costumes are likewise memorable.

Can't wait to see it again!
9/10