Barbara Stanwyck In Lady Eve

OK, so these scenes of Barbara Stanwyck & Henry Fonda in The Lady Eve (1941) aren’t exactly about shoe shopping…

But if you’ve ever seen The Lady Eve, the shoe scenes are difficult to forget — even if you don’t love shoes.

Those that believe in the power of shoes, well, let’s just say you’ll find Stanwyck’s sacrifice of a pretty shoe — stretched out from under the table into Fonda’s path tripping him — a grim but understandable tactic to get the attentions of one’s Prince Charming.

Stanwyck Trips Fonda In The Lady Eve

Once she’s made him literally fall for her, she stands above him and complains that he has broken the heel off her shoe and has him escort her back to her room to help replace the shoes he has ruined with another pair.

Once back in her room, Stanwyck seductively leans back on a wardrobe trunk and toys with the shy, awkward Fonda with a flirtatious, “See anything you like?”

Barbara Stanwyck Shoe Fitting

Now that he’s confused by her sexual aggression and drunk on her perfume, she points to her compartmented shoe bag with fifty pairs of shoes & commands him to select another pair for her — all the while, making suggestive lines to further distract him. Once he’s found a pair, she proffers her nylon covered foot — exposing her nylon covered leg via the generous slit in her black evening gown — and bids him to put the shoes on her feet.

He is as mad about her now as many fashionistas are about shoes in general; he is in full swoon.

If you’re looking for some shoes with the power of Stanwyck’s, try some strappy peep toe pumps from the 40′s.

Saucy vintage maroon suede peep toe shoes with a wooden heel!

Strappy Suede Vintage Peep-Toe Shoes

Black Mary Jane peep-toe shoes never go out of style.

Peep-Toe Mary Jane Pumps, 1930s-1940s

If you don’t have an evening gown, or the occasion to wear such dressy ensembles, these lace-up green leather peep toe shoes from the 1940s allow for more casual thrills.

Green Leather Lace-Up Peep-Toe Shoes, 1940s