"Mr. Lucky" fits in a group of Cary Grant films that cover multiple genres. As a result, audiences get to see the wider range of Grant's talent - beyond comedy and romance. It escapes me why the studio and some written sources tout this as comedy romance. While it clearly has some of the former - but only some, in a couple of short antics and a sprinkling of witty and pithy dialog, it has nary a line or thread of romance. What it does have Instead, is a deep love story that is ever so slowly developed. Besides that drama, the film has elements of mystery, a caper and crime, and even some historical and patriotic notes.
One can understand why so many viewers don't consider this film as good as the rollicking comedy romances that Cary Grant made. It can't hold a candle to the humor of "The Awful Truth," or "My Favorite Wife," or a number of other great Grant comedies. But neither can any of those complete comedies compare to "Mr. Lucky" for the drama or depth of a love story. Or, for its elements of suspense and intrigue. So, one can see why people expecting another classy Grant comedy might score and review "Mr. Lucky" solely on that basis.
But, for those who enjoy a different story, with a different Cary Grant portrayal - yet, still very much, Cary Grant, this is a superb film. Just as in "North by Northwest" of 1959, "To Catch at Thief" of 1955, "People Will Talk" of 1951, and "The Talk of the Town" of 1942, Grant's character is stretched beyond the image of a very funny playboy.
Grant plays Joe Adams, who owns a floating casino that makes trips up and down the U.S. Atlantic Coast. of the U.S. He poses as one of his crew, Joe Bascopolous, who has just died. The dead Joe had been classified 4-F by the draft board due to a weak heart. But Adams has been ordered to report to the draft board. So, he switches IDs. Then, while searching the city for the money to bankroll his next gambling foray, Joe bumps into Dorothy Bryant (Laraine Day) who is a volunteer leader in the British War Relief Society (BWRS). From there on, this story takes off in all directions.
The film opens on the docks at night and the story unfolds in flashback, told by Charles Bickford who plays Hard Swede. A tremendous supporting cast includes Gladys Cooper as Captain Veronica Steadman, Alan Carney as Crunk, Paul Stewart as Zepp, Henry Stephenson as Mr. Bryant and Florence Bates as Mrs. Van Every.
Kudos must go to Milton Holmes for his most interesting story and to him and other writers for a dynamic screenplay. All of the production values of this film are high, including direction, camera work, music, sets, art, costumes and editing.
"Mr. Lucky" has a lasting attribute in an historical aspect. The time is 1940-1941 before the U.S. has entered WW II, which began in October 1939. Much of the story takes place in and around the New York Fifth Avenue headquarters of the British War Relief Society. To my knowledge, this is the only movie made that shows the efforts and organization of the BWRS. It was the coordination entity for American humanitarian war relief support for Great Britain. It pooled the efforts of various drives for relief supplies for England. It sent shipments of food, clothing, medical supplies and financial aid across the Atlantic. Ships carrying BWRS supplies were at risk of being sunk by German U-boats, just as were those that the U.S. was sending with military armament and supplies.
A couple of reviewers have seen this as a propaganda film, but other than the story setting of the early war, it hardly has any information or details about the Axis powers other than the mention of U-boats sinking convoys. That's nothing more than historical fact and news of the time. However, a twist at the end of the film might be considered a patriotic note.
This is a superb film, with a top notch cast in a story that should grab the heart of any red-blooded American, and anyone and everyone else - on both sides of the pond. It probably won't interest many youngsters.
The story was later picked up and made into a TV series by the same title that ran on CBS in 1959 and 1960. It had 34 episodes in a half-hour program. The star was a little-known actor of the day, John Vivyan, who is little remembered today.
Here are some favorite lines from the film. For more dialog see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the movie.
Dorothy Bryant, "You ever kill anybody?" Joe Adams, "I'm too good a shot."
Joe Adams, "Never give a sucker an even break, but don't cheat a friend."
Joe Adams, 'I don't know what to make of a dame like you." Dorothy Bryant, "Neither do I."
One can understand why so many viewers don't consider this film as good as the rollicking comedy romances that Cary Grant made. It can't hold a candle to the humor of "The Awful Truth," or "My Favorite Wife," or a number of other great Grant comedies. But neither can any of those complete comedies compare to "Mr. Lucky" for the drama or depth of a love story. Or, for its elements of suspense and intrigue. So, one can see why people expecting another classy Grant comedy might score and review "Mr. Lucky" solely on that basis.
But, for those who enjoy a different story, with a different Cary Grant portrayal - yet, still very much, Cary Grant, this is a superb film. Just as in "North by Northwest" of 1959, "To Catch at Thief" of 1955, "People Will Talk" of 1951, and "The Talk of the Town" of 1942, Grant's character is stretched beyond the image of a very funny playboy.
Grant plays Joe Adams, who owns a floating casino that makes trips up and down the U.S. Atlantic Coast. of the U.S. He poses as one of his crew, Joe Bascopolous, who has just died. The dead Joe had been classified 4-F by the draft board due to a weak heart. But Adams has been ordered to report to the draft board. So, he switches IDs. Then, while searching the city for the money to bankroll his next gambling foray, Joe bumps into Dorothy Bryant (Laraine Day) who is a volunteer leader in the British War Relief Society (BWRS). From there on, this story takes off in all directions.
The film opens on the docks at night and the story unfolds in flashback, told by Charles Bickford who plays Hard Swede. A tremendous supporting cast includes Gladys Cooper as Captain Veronica Steadman, Alan Carney as Crunk, Paul Stewart as Zepp, Henry Stephenson as Mr. Bryant and Florence Bates as Mrs. Van Every.
Kudos must go to Milton Holmes for his most interesting story and to him and other writers for a dynamic screenplay. All of the production values of this film are high, including direction, camera work, music, sets, art, costumes and editing.
"Mr. Lucky" has a lasting attribute in an historical aspect. The time is 1940-1941 before the U.S. has entered WW II, which began in October 1939. Much of the story takes place in and around the New York Fifth Avenue headquarters of the British War Relief Society. To my knowledge, this is the only movie made that shows the efforts and organization of the BWRS. It was the coordination entity for American humanitarian war relief support for Great Britain. It pooled the efforts of various drives for relief supplies for England. It sent shipments of food, clothing, medical supplies and financial aid across the Atlantic. Ships carrying BWRS supplies were at risk of being sunk by German U-boats, just as were those that the U.S. was sending with military armament and supplies.
A couple of reviewers have seen this as a propaganda film, but other than the story setting of the early war, it hardly has any information or details about the Axis powers other than the mention of U-boats sinking convoys. That's nothing more than historical fact and news of the time. However, a twist at the end of the film might be considered a patriotic note.
This is a superb film, with a top notch cast in a story that should grab the heart of any red-blooded American, and anyone and everyone else - on both sides of the pond. It probably won't interest many youngsters.
The story was later picked up and made into a TV series by the same title that ran on CBS in 1959 and 1960. It had 34 episodes in a half-hour program. The star was a little-known actor of the day, John Vivyan, who is little remembered today.
Here are some favorite lines from the film. For more dialog see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the movie.
Dorothy Bryant, "You ever kill anybody?" Joe Adams, "I'm too good a shot."
Joe Adams, "Never give a sucker an even break, but don't cheat a friend."
Joe Adams, 'I don't know what to make of a dame like you." Dorothy Bryant, "Neither do I."