The Lady Eve
US (1941): Comedy/Romance
This is perhaps the perfect movie comedy, with a runaway heiress -- or, in this case, heir -- double identities, barbed wit, inspired pratfalls, and the Preston Sturges collection of supporting characters. One could ask for no more. Beer scion Henry Fonda would rather spend his time chasing snakes up exotic rivers than running the family business, until he becomes fascinated with con girl Barbara Stanwyck and her crooked pop, Charles Coburn, on an ocean liner. Of course, she falls for Fonda and then loses him when he learns of her occupation. She gets another chance in the guise of visiting royalty and charms everyone at a reception in her honor, including Fonda's tycoon father Eugene Pallette. Our favorite line: after Fonda has most of the formal dinner and drinks spilled on his tux and, finally, on his out-of-season dinner jacket, Pallette intones, "Why don't you put on a bathing suit!" Well, you have to see it. Selected for the National Film Registry. (Paramount) (amctv.com)
1 nomination
· Writing (Original Story) 1941: Monckton Hoffe