Third writer-director effort of Preston Sturges [from a story by Monckton Hoffe] is laugh entertainment of top proportions with its combo of slick situations, spontaneous dialog and a few slapstick falls tossed in for good measure.
Basically, story is the age-old tale of Eve snagging Adam, but dressed up with continually infectious fun and good humor. Barbara Stanwyck is girl-lure of trio of confidence operators. She’s determined, quick-witted, resourceful and personable. Henry Fonda is a serious young millionaire, somewhat sappy, deadpan and slow-thinking, returning from a year’s snake-hunting expedition up the Amazon. He’s a cinch pushover for girl’s advances on the boat – but pair fall in love, while girl flags Charles Coburn’s attempts to coldeck the victim at cards.
Sturges provides numerous sparkling situations in his direction and keeps picture moving at a merry pace. Stanwyck is excellent in the comedienne portrayal, while Fonda carries his assignment in good fashion. Coburn is a finished actor as the con man.
1941: Nomination: Best Original Story
