The Lady Eve (1941)

Barbara Stanwyck is on great form in this slightly far-fetched caper, but it’s really a strong supporting cast which includes co-star Henry Fonda and Charles Coburn that add together to make this an enjoyable romp through the courting process tempered with some double-identities and a deck with five aces. She is travelling with her father (Coburn) and both are sought by the authorities for being accomplished confidence tricksters. Their mark on this particular voyage is the ridiculously wealthy “Pike” (Fonda) whom she strings along merrily whilst they fleece him at cards. Then something entirely unexpected happens. She falls for the man. His innocence and naivety strike a chord and she even begins to rebel against her father! Luckily, for “Pike”, he is tipped off just in time and manage to escape her venal clutches - or so he thinks. “Jean” (Stanwyck) is determined on an unique sort of revenge which sees her adopt the identity of a visiting British aristocrat (“Lady Eve”) and visit her uncle who just happens to be in the same social circle as you know who. Surely he will recognise her? He can’t be that gullible? Though it’s not so obvious at the start, there develops an entertaining chemistry between Stanwyck and the rarely upright and constantly flustered Fonda who seems to be able to trip over just about anything and everything! Of course, there isn’t really a great deal of jeopardy as the plot thickens, but with Coburn holding a steady course and both Eugene Palette and Eric Blore - this time not the butler - having a decent amount of the latter play, this is an enjoyably eccentric look at greed tinged with love. Or is that the other way around?