Blondie's Lucky Day

Actually, if you followed the series, Dagwood had many chances to start his own company and (perhaps) become a financial success. But... you know how it goes, right?

While Mr. Dithers is away, Dagwood hires on female architecht Betty McDermott (Angelyn Orr), who happens to be a recently discharged sergeant. This was also a very timely episode, and as noted by the last reviewer, sort of in the tradition of the BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES. Hiring war veterans. A big issue post WWII across the country.

Dagwood's hiring Betty only gets him into more trouble with short-fuse Dithers, and he promptly gets fired. Dithers losing his temper is always a blast. You have to admit, the long running queston -- WHY did Mr. Dithers hire Dagwood in the first place? The bright spot (for a few days or so...) finds Dagwood, with Blondie's encouragement, starting his own construction company, which costs him a lot of money. In a typical Dagwood scene, he treats a spoiled client to a series of expensive restaurant dinners, more money going out than coming in. IF you added up the food bill, it would have cost Dagwood hundreds of dollars each night --just to eat!

Good support from popular character actor Paul Harvey as Mr. Butler. Also singer Dick Haymes' brother, Bob, plays Jonathan Butler. This was the only screen credit for actress Angelyn Orr, who was an established radio actress.

Well directed by Abby Berlin and with some funny dialogue and one liners. It all clicks, and Arthur Lake is the whole show.

Thanks again to MOVIES Net for running this classic series Saturday mornings, like the old days.

I have noticed that the last few Blondie & Dagwood film titles have had absolutely nothing to do with the plots of the movies...nothing. In this case, "Blondie's Lucky Day" is completely ill-named as there really isn't anything lucky going on in this one...and what luck there is turns out to be mostly bad!

When the film begins, Mr. Dithers tells Dagwood he's in charge of the office for the next three weeks, as he's going out of town. Soon after, the Mayor asks Dagwood to come to a meeting of the top businessmen in the city. There, a pitch is made to hire some recently returned vets. Dagwood apprehensively agrees...and ends up hiring a pretty ex-WAC, as she is also an architect. When Dithers returns early (since his business deal fell through) he doesn't listen to Dagwood about this new hire and is very angry. Blondie is there and instead of explaining why the lady was hired, she quits for Dagwood!! The rest of the film consists of Dagwood trying, mostly in vain, to make a go of it with his own company...with the WAC as his sole employee.

This is a very good episode, though you feel a bit sorry for Dagwood. Sure, he's a total idiot (as usual) but Blondie was awful making him quit his job with no real prospects. Still, like all there films things seem to work out and it is enjoyable...mostly because you like the characters.

So Dagwood can be a true executive if only he can remember to put his pants on. Then too don't let him pick up the check at a fancy restaurant unless you have ear-muffs on. For geezers like me, the series brings back long ago memories, like going through an operator to make a phone call, or welcoming home vets from the war. Speaking of vets, after seeing Sgt. McDermott I think I'll re-enlist, post-haste.

It's a typical B&D funfest though the material slows down a bit toward the end. Seems Dagwood starts up his own construction co. after Dithers fires him. Now if he can just get Butler Sr. to check out his theater plans, his budding enterprise will get a big boost. Good thing there's a Butler Jr. and the cute Sergeant to help rescue his bumbling ways. Of course Blondie's amusingly on hand to stiffen hubby's spine, while Daisy and puppy crew complement the hijinks. Looks like this is actress Orr's only performance (IMDB). Too bad, because she's perfect as the affable army girl, and wholesomely lovely, to boot.

Looks like this series installment was produced at WWII's end with its emphasis on jobs for returning vets. Note too how well the various antics are blended into the whole, none lasting too long or with too much talk. Thus things seldom drag, though the laughs may slow as the comedic material ebbs. The results may not be art, but they do reflect excellent craftsmanship.

Anyway, it's hard to go wrong with one of the best comedy series of that time or any time, as this installment shows.

The alarm clock didn't work so the Bumsteads household is behind schedule this morning. Mr. Dithers (Jonathan Hale) drops by to let Dagwood (Arthur Lake) take over as boss at the office for three weeks. Dagwood must do a favor for the Mayor (Charles Arnt) and hire SGT. McDermott for Mr. Dithers. The only problem is, McDermott is a woman, Betty Jane McDermott (Angelyn Orr). Dagwood out of courtesy must invite her to dinner. As Dagwood already knows, Blondie (Penny Singleton) would be jealous. Yet another new postman (Frank Jenks). This one just out of the Army. He feels he can dodge Dagwood too. Of course he can't. When Dithers comes back, Blondie gets an idea for Dagwood to be boss of his own construction company with Betty Jane's help. This was Jonathan Hale's last time playing Mr. Dithers. Danny Mummert was not in this one. Bob Haymes plays "Johnny Butler". For fun, can you spot the Wonder Bread? The next film in the series is BLONDIE KNOWS BEST.

Things got a bit too silly in Blondie's Lucky Day. Usually she's the sensible one. But in this case she's the one who gets Dagwood fired once again from the J.C. Dithers Construction Company. All in a good cause mind you, the cause of the advancement of women in the work place.

You'd think Jonathan Hale would learn not to leave Arthur Lake in charge. Lake feeling a little social pressure to hire returning veterans hires shapely and beautiful former WAC Angelyn Orr who has a degree in architecture.

Penny Singleton who is usually quite jealous about other females near her man welcomes Orr into the Bumstead home and takes up her cause. Because when Hale returns home and finds a woman doing 'man's work Blondie manages to get Dagwood fired as well as Orr. Usually Dagwood manages that on his own.

Dagwood also forms the Bumstead Construction company with Orr and looks to snare client Paul Harvey from the grasp of J.C. Dithers. How it all works out is for you to see the film for. But let's say Dagwood learns there's a lot more to business than just being good at your work.

Fans of the series should be pleased.