La dama e l'avventuriero

This is really a wonderful and somewhat surprising film. Grant plays against type, at least if you think his type is the suave, urbane lover boy who has never taken a false step...

The real surprise for me, though, is how strong Day is in this film. She is photographed beautifully; the cinematographer made sure she had a strong eye light in nearly every scene and she looks stunning. But more than that, she just seems totally on her game and involved. Perhaps some of that credits goes to Grant, who seems to be having fun with the whole thing.

Ron

In my opinion, "Mr. Lucky" is one of Cary Grant's finest pictures. Grant (Joe Adams) Stars as a Gambler looking to make a buck. Joe is a man with no scruples. He is willing to walk over anyone for a chance at a quick score.

However his cold hearted ways begins to melt when a beautiful woman comes into his life. Laraine Day, (Dorothy Bryant) gives a strong performance as a volunteer for a war relief organization. She offers Grant a chance to help raise funds for the group when he suggests a casino night.

However Joe intends to use Dorothy as a pawn in a fixed game. That idea quickly changes when he falls for Dorothy. Joe must choose between his loyalty to his gang or his love for Dorothy.

Mr. Lucky is a wonderful mix of comedy and drama. One of the best moments is where Joe is learning to knit. Very funny! This is a picture that display's Mr. Grants full range of talents.

The cast included Charles Bickford, Gladys Cooper, Alan Carney, Henry Stephenson, and Paul Stewart. It was expertly Directed by H.C. Potter. The wonderful black and white cinematography was by George Barnes.

I highly recommend this picture.

Fun Facts. -Laraine Day was on loan-out from MGM. -Mr. Lucky was RKO's second biggest hit of 1943 -Writer Milton Holmes said Mr. Lucky was inspired by a real event in 1936. A nightclub owner put on a gambling benefit at the Beverly Hills Hotel to raise money for a church.

A good, solid 1940s gangster picture with the luck to have Cary Grant in it. I had never heard of this movie before I saw it on the shelf and decided to give it a try. What a great surprise! Grant's presence is at first strange because he's a heartless swindler and I'm not used to that from him, but he plays it like he's gone wrong somehow - like the world owes him a living because they're too shallow and stupid not to fall for him. I can't imagine this movie without him.

There are some great comedy touches, like how he is forced to learn how to knit in order to carry his plan off [later he has a classic Cary Grant moment in a banker's office commenting on a hand-knitted tea cozy].

And although the love story is a little sappy most of the way through, it's not out of place or unpleasant to watch. In fact, Dorothy undergoes a remarkable character change that comes as a nice surprise - Laraine Day is terrific portraying her.

There are even some great shots. The uses of light and shadow go beyond the classic black and white "look". In some places this movie is staged beautifully - the director has a remarkable eye and helps turn what could have been just a vehicle for Grant into a real work of art.

The videotaped print that I saw was badly in need of restoration, especially the first reel.

Cary Grant is "Mr. Lucky," a 1943 films also starring Laraine Day, Charles Bickford and Gladys Cooper. Grant plays a self-serving swindler named Joe who takes the identity of a dying man who's 4F so that he won't have to go into the service. The name he takes is that of a Greek man, Joe Bascopoulos, but the name will bring him more than just a 4F classification. Needing money to get his gambling ship started, he sees an easy mark in Dorothy Bryant (Day), one of the administrators of a War Relief Fund. He uses his considerable charm to persuade her to let him run a casino night as part of the organization's big fundraiser. The plan is to use cash boxes with false bottoms and take off with nearly all of the money. Just one hitch - Joe has fallen in love with Dorothy.

This is a slightly different role for Grant - he plays a real low-life and at that, one with no style. One of the running jokes is his rotten ties and inability to tie them right. Grant is perfect in the role, as well as incredibly handsome. But it's only a slightly different part - like Tyrone Power, who tried so hard to change his image in 1947 with "Nightmare Alley," Grant tried too, and like Power, was sabotaged by the producing studio. In Power's case (who actually would have done well had Zanuck let him have more traditional Cary Grant type roles), he was allowed to make the film and play a low character, but his studio, 20th Century Fox, did not publicize the film nor release it widely. In Grant's case, he'd happily accept a role - such as this one or his part in "Suspicion" - only to have the script changed so that he's not a total heel. It had to be frustrating for these actors who were capable of so much more than they were allowed to do.

Lovely Laraine Day is just right as the young, rich Dorothy who passionately believes in helping the war effort. Day had an air of sophistication that lent itself well to these wealthy society girl roles.

"Mr. Lucky" is beautifully photographed in black and white, with lots of interesting shadows and fog. The film also has some very funny moments - Grant learning to knit is just one.

This is a very good movie and somewhat of a departure for Grant, a cousin to his role in "Suspicion."

Poor boy turned suave gambler Cary Grant (as Joe Adams) evades service in World War II by assuming the identity of a deceased sailor classified "4-F" (unfit for military service). Then, he joins a New York women's group supporting the war effort from the home front. There, he learns to knit, and flirts with sophisticate Laraine Day (as Dorothy Bryant). At first, Ms. Day is wary of Mr. Grant, who uses slight-of-hand to fill the war relief group's coffers. But, Day falls in love with Grant, unaware he is planning to bilk the ladies' war relief organization.

RKO put a lot into "Mr. Lucky", and it pays off handsomely. Aside from a violent streak (once slugging his leading lady), Grant turns out to be much less of a heel that you're led to believe; and, he is thoroughly charming. The direction (H.C. Potter), camera-work (George Barnes), design (William Cameron Menzies), and supporting cast are outstanding. The film is bracketed with a moody atmospherics.

The ending could have been better. But, mainly, "Mr. Lucky" is great for watching Grant work wonders with his conflicted character. Grant is so convincing that, when he looks in his car's rear view mirror, you're almost sure the car's mirror hasn't actually been removed by the studio (they blocked actors' faces and were too reflective). There was no mirror there, or was there?

******* Mr. Lucky (5/28/43) H.C. Potter ~ Cary Grant, Laraine Day, Charles Bickford, Gladys Cooper