During the 1930s, many big American studios bought studios in Britain and made films there. Why? Because Parliament enacted a new law that mandated that a certain percentage of films be made domestically in order to apparently prevent American and European movies from driving the British companies out of business....in other words, it was a piece of protectionism. To deal with this new law, MGM, Warner Brothers and other studios set up shop in Britain...and "The Lady is Willing" is one made by Columbia's new British unit.
When the story begins, you learn that Gustav Dupont (Cedric Hardwicke) is an awful crook. He managed to destroy a company...bankrupting many...and leaving himself rich and out of jail. Because he is such a dishonest jerk, a group of men concoct a man with a private detective (Leslie Howard)...to kidnap Dupont's wife! Why and what will it achieve? See the film and find out for yourself.
It's enjoyable watching Leslie Howard in various disguises...as well as his real life brother playing a man that Leslie, for a time, impersonates. The plot is decent and enjoyable but not as rewarding or clever as it could have been. In other words, it's good...not great. A decent time-passer.