The Lady Eve (1941 Preston Sturges & scr)

Barbara Stanwyck is steamy stuff when trapping ophiologist Henry Fonda - notice how she's always so close to him or leaning in - scene with horse is fabulous. Shot by Victor Milner (also Trouble in Paradise, Palm Beach Story, Christmas in July, Love Me Tonight (Mamoulian), Oscar for Cleopatra, since 1913).

Lots of long takes catch cast to die for comprising Charles Coburn, Eugene Pallette (in movies also since 1913!), William Demarest (1927), Eric Blore, Melville Cooper, Robert Greig, Luis Alberni, Robert Warwick.

But Pallette banging the breakfast trays together is a thing of joy, as is corrupt card game sequence which rather overshadows that in the preceding Maverick, and a rhythmic breakfast menu.