The Lady Eve

1941
Approved
1h 34m

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

24K

YOUR RATING

Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck in The Lady Eve (1941)

Play trailer2:00

1 Video

70 Photos

Screwball Comedy Slapstick Comedy Romance

A trio of classy card sharks targets a socially awkward brewery heir, until one of them falls in love with him.A trio of classy card sharks targets a socially awkward brewery heir, until one of them falls in love with him.A trio of classy card sharks targets a socially awkward brewery heir, until one of them falls in love with him.

Director
- Preston Sturges
Writers
- Monckton Hoffe
- Preston Sturges
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

24K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Preston Sturges
Writers
- Monckton Hoffe
- Preston Sturges
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 2 wins & 1 nomination total

Videos1

Trailer 2:00

The Lady Eve

Photos70

+ 64

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
It was hibernation season during the shoot, and Emma the king snake was always sleeping while also shedding her skin. Needless to say, she was very uncooperative.

Goofs
When Charles first meets "the Lady Eve Sidwich" at the party, his face goes from blank expression to shock twice - first with all characters, then in closeup.

Quotes
Jean: You see, Hopsi, you don't know very much about girls. The best ones aren't as good as you probably think they are and the bad ones aren't as bad. Not nearly as bad.

Crazy credits
A very large cartoon snake displays the opening credits while twining around an apple tree.

Connections
Edited into Catalogue of Ships (2008)

Soundtracks
Isn't It Romantic
(1932) (uncredited)
Music by Richard Rodgers
Played often in the score

User reviews168

Review

Featured review

9/10

Sturges Perfection

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