If you are looking for a believable movie, this certainly isn't for you. The plot, to put it mildly, is ridiculous. BUT, given the wonderful performances and dialog throughout the film, I really didn't care--I just suspended belief, sat back and enjoyed. Barbara Stanwyck is at about her best, and while Henry Fonda isn't at his VERY best, he does a good job of playing the rich smitten guy. However, I am a Cuddles Sakal fan, and so his supporting work is greatly appreciated--though it is hard to imagine such a cute cuddly old guy as a con man! This film and HAIL THE CONQUERING HERO are my favorite Presto Sturgis movies. While I have been a VERY severe critic of his on IMDb for several of his films because I think they are overrated (MIRACLE OF MORGAN'S CREEK, SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS and UNFAITHFULLY YOURS),I must admit he also made some films I loved. Give it a watch.

Preston Sturges had for me one of the best "golden years"/prime period for any director, which started with his debut film 'The Great McGinty' (which is very good). My definition of this is when a director makes 5 or more great films in a row. From this period, even when the film was one of the weaker ones it still managed to be good and more, which is testament to how great and more his best golden years/"prime period" films were.

One of his best is 'The Lady Eve', one of my top 2 Sturges films. The other being 'Sullivan's Travels'. 'The Lady Eve' is one of the finest examples of how to combine romance and screwball comedy and how to balance both elements, if one is ever wondering how to combine and balance these two elements and how to do them well individually 'The Lady Eve' is one of the films to look to. One that sparkles wonderfully in its wit and charms in the more romantic elements, as well seeing some of the best work of all involved. For me, that 'The Lady Eve' is a must see is not and never be in any form of doubt.

Sturges directs impeccably, always accomplished and not once with a heavy hand. Instead a light sophisticated touch that never wavers, always getting the best out of the cast and allowing both the comedy and romance to sparkle. 'The Lady Eve' is beautifully filmed and never looks less than pleasing, the camera clearly loved Barbara Stanwyck because she looks luminous.

The cast are all on top form, with Melville Cooper's underuse being my sole extremely minor nit-pick that can be overlooked with everything so brilliantly done. Henry Fonda was seldom funnier than in this film and he shares a sizzling chemistry with the magnificent in all regards Stanwyck (have yet to see a bad performance from her, something that she seemed incapable of). Of the supporting cast, the standout is Charles Coburn providing one of the best examples of shifty and crusty being hilarious. A very funny William Demarest is close behind.

And then there is the script, again from subjective opinion it was one of the best of that year. The wit is so sharp and the big laughs come frequently, the romantic element always charming and never schmaltzy and the sophistication so incredibly tight and polished without being heavy-handed. The story is always compelling with sprightly pacing and doesn't become over-complicated, too silly or over-stuffed.

Overall, brilliant. 10/10 Bethany Cox

A second viewing of this after many years has confirmed it as truly one of the great comedies. I don't think Sturges was ever better (although I haven't seen all his films),and certainly he was never blessed with a better star pairing than Fonda and Stanwyck, plus his usual wonderful array of character comedians in the supporting roles. A double bill of Eve with "Hail the Conquering Hero" reveals that, while both still have their charms, Eve can still have a theatre rocking with laughter, while Hero leaves them a bit cold with its descent into Capra-cornish patriotism and mother love.

The Lady Eve has one of my favourite performances ever from Henry Fonda, showing that his grave sincerity could serve screwball comedy equally as well as Fordian moral uplift. He takes some of the funniest deadpan pratfalls this side of Buster Keaton.

And of course Stanwyck is a delight ... and Charles Coburn ... and Eugene Pallette ... and William Demarest ... and ... and ... ssshhh ... Eric Blore.

If you've never seen it, give yourself a treat