Irish Luck

Hotel bellhop Buzzy O'Brien plays detective with the various guests of the hotel, much to the unhappiness of police detective Lanahan and hotel detective Fluger. Buzzy's latest case involves Thaddeus Porter, a banker, who was found murdered in his hotel room. Suspicion falls on Kitty Monahan, whose brother is escaping the law for stealing $10,000 in bonds. Buzzy and Jefferson (hotel janitor) deduce that someone in the hotel must be a go between for the hot bond racket, and have to catch the criminal before they themselves become the next victim. If there was a B-movie that can be stereotyped as generic programmer, this would be it. The killer is very easy to figure out, even by the audience members who are half paying attention. The cast and the characterizations are really bland, primarily since we've seen these types of people in hundreds of movies before. The scene at Buzzy's house with his mother helping Kitty only because she's Irish, just seems so corny that its hilarious. Rating, 3.

It is interesting to read comments by people reviewing a flik from 70yrs ago but bringing 21st Cent eyes. I liked the movie for its good combination of plot, set and dialog. I have seen many Frankie Darro shorts and some are better some are worse but all are just short movies to fill in with the feature and he is the oldest or longest lasting youth going other than the East Siders maybe. The classic use of stage Irish and realizing that the Irish were just making it off the bottom of the social ladder prior to WWll gives an insight most people have forgotten since all changed after the war. No more Irish need not apply for jobs or housing. Some of the unintended consequences of these old slices of life from the small studios like PRC are what i find so enjoyable about this type of film. I have seen a few of the other 6 movies in the series and the plot line is familiar though I think the mystery part in this one is best, for what it is. The rest is straight formula but good performances by the whole cast of journeyman actors many of whom are in multiple movies together. Great cohesion good entertainment, short as it is.

"Brainy bellhop Buzzy O'Brien (Frankie Darro) tries his hand at sleuthing out a killer when a hundred thousand dollars in bonds disappear and the corpse of Bank Vice President Thaddeus Porter is left in their place. When Kitty Monahan (Sheila D'Arcy), the object of Buzzy's affection, is named as the lead suspect by flat-footed Detective Lanahan (Dick Purcell), Buzzy spirits her away to his mother's apartment where the feisty old Irish battle-ax comically combines courting with crime solving," according to the Alpha Video synopsis, this is "a whimsical whodunit filled with romance, thrills and just a touch of blarney."

Just a touch?

"Irish Luck" was the first film featuring young Darro and vaudevillian Mantan Moreland (as Jefferson) as a team. Herein, they are typical as a hotel bellhop-cum-amateur detective and his servile, easily frightened sidekick. Coming from a common circus background, Darro and Moreland were complimentary and caring. Despite the latter's often stereotypical characterization, they are an engaging duo. What really made them endearing together is that Mr. Moreland "Jeff" overcomes his timidity to save Darro's life, which is followed by a mutual concern. You can see the bond has formed when they run off screen together.

***** Irish Luck (8/22/39) Howard Bretherton ~ Frankie Darro, Mantan Moreland, Dick Purcell, Lillian Elliott

I'm not sure if being lucky and being Irish go hand in hand, but that proposition is certainly tested in this Monogram Picture with hotel employees Frankie Darro bellhop and Mantan Moreland janitor solve a couple of murders and break up a bond theft ring.

This hotel that employs Darro and Moreland is being used as the drop and pickup spot for stolen bonds. Being set up as those taking the fall are brother and sister Dennis Moore and Sheila Darcy. As their name is Monahan they can't possibly be guilty according to Darro as Buzzy O'Brien and his sainted Irish mother Lillian Elliott.

Darro is the son of a police detective and can't wait to get on the force, so much so he's finding mysteries to solve where he works. It's all to the distraction of his father's friend on the force Dick Purcell who has a relationship to Darro similar to Chief Clifford and Sam McCloud.

Irish Luck hasn't worn well over the years and Mantan Moreland's eye rolling janitor is especially not wearing well. He seems to be warming up for playing Birmingham Brown on the Charlie Chan series.

I doubt we'll see this one restored any time soon.

Irish Luck Dick Purcell and Frank Darro star in "Irish Luck", from Monogram Pitchas. They have a scheme to catch "the robbers", but of course it's more complicated than it should be. Buzzie the porter is doing his own investigation, and knows more than he lets on. Not a lot of big names in this one, a shortie film at 58 minutes. Actor Dick Purcell, died quite young at 38, of a heart attack. Directed by Howard Bretherton, who had started in the silents. never won an oscar, but managed to direct over one hundred film and shows.