H.C. Potter's "Mr. Lucky" is a film that should be seen more often. This comedy gave Cary Grant a chance to portrait a different character from the ones his fans were expecting from him.
The story of Joe Adams, a draft dodger, who is involved in illegal gambling, makes great sense because at the end, when all was said and done, he does the right thing and redeems himself. Joe is a gambler at heart; it takes a beautiful woman to transform him into a caring man who will do good, in spite of what his original intentions were.
As a comedy, "Mr. Lucky", has some brilliant moments, especially those involving Joe, now Bascopolous, learning to knit to help make sweaters for the men fighting the war. The director imparted a light touch to this comedy, making us care for Bascopolous, when one should hate his intentions.
In finding love with the beautiful Dorothy Bryant, Joe realizes she is the woman for him, in spite of the differences between them. After having cheated her, he takes money to repay what he took from her, even before he is confronted by Mr. Bryant and the police. Disappearing and going straight is clear at the end of the film when one sees Dorothy waiting at the end of the pier for his appearance.
The film works because the tremendous performance Cary Grant gave in it. Even though he is supposed to be a bad guy, one never believes he is all that bad. Laraine Day is perfect as Dorothy Bryant, who doubted Joe's intentions from the beginning, but ends up falling for him because she sees a man who will do the right thing and will change his ways.
The supporting cast is one of the strengths of the movie. Charles Bickford, Gladys Cooper, Alan Carney, Henry Stephenson, Paul Stewart, and the rest, are good following Mr. Potter's direction.
The great black and white cinematography by George Barnes,compliments the film well. The screen play by Milton Holmes was helped by other uncredited writers, among them, Charles Brackett and Dudley Nichols, two distinguished screen writers that knew about comedy.
Ultimately, this is a film carried by the sheer power of Cary Grant and the lovely Laraine Day and the inspired direction of H.C. Potter.
The story of Joe Adams, a draft dodger, who is involved in illegal gambling, makes great sense because at the end, when all was said and done, he does the right thing and redeems himself. Joe is a gambler at heart; it takes a beautiful woman to transform him into a caring man who will do good, in spite of what his original intentions were.
As a comedy, "Mr. Lucky", has some brilliant moments, especially those involving Joe, now Bascopolous, learning to knit to help make sweaters for the men fighting the war. The director imparted a light touch to this comedy, making us care for Bascopolous, when one should hate his intentions.
In finding love with the beautiful Dorothy Bryant, Joe realizes she is the woman for him, in spite of the differences between them. After having cheated her, he takes money to repay what he took from her, even before he is confronted by Mr. Bryant and the police. Disappearing and going straight is clear at the end of the film when one sees Dorothy waiting at the end of the pier for his appearance.
The film works because the tremendous performance Cary Grant gave in it. Even though he is supposed to be a bad guy, one never believes he is all that bad. Laraine Day is perfect as Dorothy Bryant, who doubted Joe's intentions from the beginning, but ends up falling for him because she sees a man who will do the right thing and will change his ways.
The supporting cast is one of the strengths of the movie. Charles Bickford, Gladys Cooper, Alan Carney, Henry Stephenson, Paul Stewart, and the rest, are good following Mr. Potter's direction.
The great black and white cinematography by George Barnes,compliments the film well. The screen play by Milton Holmes was helped by other uncredited writers, among them, Charles Brackett and Dudley Nichols, two distinguished screen writers that knew about comedy.
Ultimately, this is a film carried by the sheer power of Cary Grant and the lovely Laraine Day and the inspired direction of H.C. Potter.