The Lady Eve

When Charles Pike (Henry Fonda), the eligible but socially awkward heir to a brewery empire, boards a cruise ship bound for New York, it's no surprise that he soon becomes the target of the single ladies on the vessel. But it's no accident when the wealthy Charles starts to fall for the charming Jean (Barbara Stanwyck): Jean is a con artist working with a trio of card sharks out to swindle the pushover out of his money.

However, matters get more complicated when Jean starts falling for her mark. After Charles discovers the con, he dumps her, dismissing Jean as a gold digger. Jean, fixated on revenge and still pining for the millionaire, devises a plan to get back in Charles' life. With love and payback on her mind, she re-introduces herself to the befuddled Charles, this time as a mysterious aristocrat named Lady Eve Sidwich.

Barbara Stanwyck shines as she attempts to win Charles's affections in this glittering screwball comedy, filled with quick-witted dialogue, memorable characters, and fabulous costumes designed by Edith Head.

Part of our "Screwball Comedies" series. Courtesy of Universal Pictures and Swank Motion Pictures.