We decided to go back in time a bit and watch some movies/series about the “first lady” EVE.

Movie: THE LADY EVE

Laura: This 1941 movie pairs Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda – two favorites of mine. The film successfully blends sophistication and slapstick comedy that entertains you without demanding you invest a lot of thought or reflection. The writer and director Preston Sturges wisely expanded the talents of the two stars by casting Stanwyck in a true screwball comedy and casting the typically stoic Fonda against type in his role of an awkward innocent. Some fun facts about this film is that Fonda performed his own pratfalls and there were many times he fell or things fell on him and he was never injured. Ironically, on the last day of production he took a phone call during a break and fell off a three-foot platform – and broke his wrist.

Movie: ALL ABOUT EVE

Barbara: I had heard about this Academy Award winning movie for the longest time but never watched it but now that I’ve seen it, I understand why it was such a hit. For those who don’t know what it’s about, Bette Davis plays a famous actress/diva who is starting to age and Annette Baxter is a fan – I won’t say more, or it will give it all away. Bette Davis was a masterful actress to watch but she actually got the part after Susan Hayward and Claudette Colbert had to withdraw. I learned some interesting things about the making of the movie. For example, Davis instructed Edith Head to make her dress a bit looser so she could easily be pushed onto a bed by her co-star. When Edith pointed out that wasn’t in the movie, Bette said “Yes, but that’s what I’m going to do.”  There are some famous lines such as “Fasten your seatbelts; it’s going to be a bumpy night.” And the idea for the movie came from a real incident in the life of a Broadway star. If you enjoy the older films, this is a must watch.

Series: KILLING EVE

Barbara: The series, Killing Eve, was made about 7 years ago but I luckily just discovered it recently. It stars Sandra Oh as a British investigator who is chasing an assassin, Villanelle, played by Jodie Comer. Both play their parts excellently. What makes this show so different is the mutual love/hate obsession each of these two characters have for each other. I was hooked to the screen for all four seasons.