Blondie's Lucky Day

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.

BLONDIE'S LUCKY DAY (Columbia, 1946), directed by Abby Berlin, the 17th installment on the trials and tribulations of the Bumstead family, may have a "good luck" sounding title to it, however, this being another theatrical episode based on Chic Young's comic strip, is easily an agreeable and amusing chapter. No, the plot doesn't have Blondie reading her horoscope in the newspaper and finding out it's her lucky day, nor one where she has a winning streak at the gambling table. The screenplay centers upon the common trend of the post war era, something borrowed from the likes of Samuel Goldwyn's THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946), as to how the Bumsteads can do their part helping a returning veteran coping with civilian life and a new job to get started again. Unlike carbon copies, BLONDIE'S LUCKY DAY handles itself well in its straight comedy situations.

This time around, Mr. Dithers (Jonathan Hale) leaves his trusted employee, Dagwood Bumstead (Arthur Lake) in charge of the office during his three week absence, thus, finding certain fellow employees, namely Ollie Merlin (Jack Rice), Dagwood's office rival, to take advantage of the situation. As Mayor Richard Denby (Charles Arnt) invites all local businessmen to attend a special seminar, in conclusion asking them to assist returning war veterans by putting them on their payroll and an invitation to dinner. Dagwood, blending in nicely seated between executive-types while attempting to smoke a cigar, is the third in line to hire a vet. Unlike the previous two, Dagwood's soldier turns out to be Sergeant McDervitt, a WAC answering to the name of Betty Jane (Angelyn Orr). Hiring her to work at the Dithers Construction Company is one thing, but taking her home for dinner is another, considering his wife, Blondie's (Penny Singleton) jealous nature. Things work out rather differently as Blondie welcomes her, considering how easily Mary Jane bonds with her children, Alexander (Larry Simms) and Cookie (Marjorie Kent), but once Mr. Dithers returns prematurely from his business trip, and unable to have additional employees on the payroll after losing an account, stirs up an argument between him and Blondie, leading him to dismiss both Dagwood and Mary Jane from the firm. Out of work (again!), Blondie persuades Dagwood to go into business for himself, which he does. Hoping to acquire new clients, he finds one with Jonathan Butler (Robert Stanton), actually mistaking him with the man he should be seeing, his business-minded father, Jonathan Butler Sr. (Paul Harvey). Because Old Man Butler put a stop to his son's allowance due to his carefree extravagances, young Butler masquerades as his father, taking full advantage of Dagwood's hospitality by letting him pay for all the meals at expensive restaurants, and being in good company with the attractive Miss McDervitt. Now being worse off financially that before, especially after Dagwood learns that Butler, who finds his blueprint work to be excellent, is unable to offer him the contract and support needed to succeed. However, Butler advises Dagwood to show his work to his father, but finds he's got stiff competition, Mr. Dithers. "Bloooondie!!!" Aside from the usual antics, BLONDIE'S LUCKY DAY sees the absence of two series regulars: Alvin Fuddow (Danny Mummert), and Mr. Beasley, the postman (Eddie Acuff). Bobby Larson fills in for Alvin in the role of Tommy Cooper, Alexander's new friend on the block for the second time around, while Frank Jenks takes the route as the new postman. Others in the cast include Frank Orth (The Salesman); and John Hamilton (Mr. Emery). At least Daisy is around for moral support and the lifting of her ears as an element of surprise. Robert Stanton and newcomer Angelyn Orr (in her only screen role) make a nice secondary couple without getting in the way of things with the Bumsteads.

In spite of so much yelling this time around, especially between Dithers and Blondie, Dithers does reveal how much respect he has for Blondie (meaning that he's tolerated Dagwood all these years because of her), but due to her interfering, he finds he must stand his ground and do what he feels is right, even firing her husband. This episode does show, for once, Dagwood taking the stand by preventing his wife's interference as he places his hand over her mouth, thus stifling her, before things get any worse. (Hooray for Dagwood!).

What is Blondie's Lucky Day? Probably the day she married Dagwood or possibly the day she was contracted by Columbia to appear in her own film series. BLONDIE'S LUCKY DAY, formerly a Sunday highlight on American Movie Classics from 1996 to 2000, was formerly available on video cassette through King Feature. Next in the series: BLONDIE KNOWS BEST (1946) (***)

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.

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.

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.