Barbara Stanwyck's three 1941 performances (The Lady Eve, Meet John Doe and Ball of Fire) can only be properly compared to he greatest athletic feats. Seeing her seamlessly blend rat-a-tat comedy banter with profound dramatic frailty is like watching Brazil effortlessly dazzle the 1970 World Cup with their "jogo bonito."
It's easy to make it all about her, but there's obviously a lot to praise in this movie. The "eight dwarfs" are an incredible excuse to have a gaggle of…