In 1933's Ever in My Heart, the scintillating beauty that was to become Barbara Stanwyck was still taking shape. Ever finds her nearly fully-formed, but not quite there yet, and it's a treat to watch this superb actress and unparalleled screen personality on her way to becoming the legend that she soon would be. There's just the slightest bit of a raw quality to Stanwyck's performance here, the sense that in a couple of small scenes she didn't get things down just the way she wanted; rather than being offputting, it's engaging. It's also fun to watch how director Archie Mayo lets his camera moon over his leading lady. He lovingly lingers over her, as if he can't quite bear to tear himself away from her -- and who can blame him? Stanwyck isn't the whole show, for co-star Otto Kruger is also in good form, and Ralph Bellamy loses the girl as only he was capable of doing. The screenplay is only so-so; it's a blatantly manipulative weepie and it doesn't indulge in much subtlety. But the stars and director know how to play it for what it's worth, and they make Ever an enjoyable soap opera.