The Lady Eve

The way in which dizziness and deception are inextricably linked is demonstrated by Sturges’ brilliant screwball comedy and its cascade of small acts of cheating, skillful fraud maneuvers and amusingly shady tricks. On an ocean steamer, Jean Harrington (Barbara Stanwyck), a professional swindler on the hunt for bounty, has cast an eye on the foolish, nerdy Charles Pike (Henry Fonda), who is a snake researcher and heir to a brewery and ends up losing his heart to Jean before gambling with his inheritance. When she is demasked, she plots revenge. A comedic marvel! (mg)