Ever Since Eve (1937)

Ever Since Eve is a routine, fairly forgettable 1930s comedy, but it's moderately entertaining. Some of today's audience will be turned off by the basic premise -- that an attractive woman must tone down her looks in order to avoid the lascivious advances of men with whom she works -- but it does provide an appropriate motor to make the film go. Unfortunately, nothing really interesting or surprising is done with this concept, causing the film to become nothing more than another "mistaken identity" comedy. Lloyd Bacon's direction is efficient, but not as crisp as in his better work, and Robert Montgomery is a little off his game here; he's hitting the right notes, but he doesn't seem to be really committed to them. The much-maligned Marion Davies is actually in good form here; though not what one would call a great actress, she was talented and had an above-average flair for comedy. The supporting cast can't be beat, with good contributions from the likes of Patsy Kelly, Frank McHugh, Louise Fazenda, and Marcia Ralston, but even they seem to be struggling to bring life to the material. Eve is average and acceptable, but nothing more. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide