What: The Lady Eve, starring Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda, is actually two films in one. The first tells the story of two con artists, father and daughter, who set out to swindle a gullible millionaire. Then the daughter falls for the mark. This doesn't end well . . . which leads us to the second half --- the revenge part. Con artist Jean reinvents herself as Lady Eve Sidwich and, quite simply, brings the hapless Charles Pike to his knees.
Comparable to: It's written and directed by Preston Sturges, so it's a fast, sexy, witty romp like The Miracle of Morgan's Creek and The Palm Beach Story.
Representative quote: "I need him like the ax needs the turkey."
You might not like it if: You're unnerved by the stop-a-clock scowl of Muggsy, Charles Pike's suspicious valet.
How to get it: Watch it instantly, or borrow it from your library, or buy it and watch it over and over until you have the best speeches memorized.
Connections to previous Wreckage: I've already recommended The Palm Beach Story (Rec. #17) and The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (Rec. #65). Yes, I'm a bit of a Sturges fan.
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