If I'm Lucky

This is an entertaining remake of "Thanks A Million".I do not know much about American politics in the thirties but i would guess that the original was probably a swift punch to the midriff of the American body politic whereas this is more a nudge in the ribs.If you stand this on its own you would say that this is a reasonably entertaining Fox musical from the 1940s with all the usual ingredients,the best of which is Carmen Miranda who really steals the show.As for Perry Como well we all know he can sing but unfortunately he cant act and that is one of the main problems of this film,particularly if you compare him to Dick Powell in the original.Also i have to say that not one of the songs stays in the mind for one second after the music has faded away.I would be bound to say that if you had to see one version it would have to be the original.Any film with Fred Allen,Patsy Kelly and Raymond Walburn has to be unmissable

This is a lightweight but enjoyable remake of "Thanks a Million" (1935). While it's far from a must-see, it has modest aspirations and makes for a decent time-passer. The star of this one is Perry Como--and his singing is typically smooth and enjoyable even though none of the songs are particularly memorable. He is supported by Vivian Blaine, Harry James, Phil Silvers and Carmen Miranda. As far as Silvers and Miranda go, they are pretty low-key in this film and lack the loud and brash qualities that made "Something for the Boys" a rather poor musical. In fact, this prior film ALSO starred Vivian Blaine and Perry Como--making "If I'm Lucky" sort of a reunion picture. Of the two films, "If I'm Lucky" is the vastly superior film.

The five stars all are out of work and need a musical gig. By luck, they are discovered by a political machine--who puts the band to work during their gubernatorial campaign providing a warm-up act before their candidate gives a speech. However, during one of their stops, the candidate (Edgar Buchanan) gets stinking drunk and Como instead entertains the audience and makes a small speech. It ends up going over so well that the political machine offers to run Como for governor instead of Buchanan! Como knows he cannot win but realizes it would be great publicity for him and his friends and their band. The problem is that he DOES have a chance and his squeaky clean political machine is not so squeaky clean after all! And, these new 'friends' threaten to ruin his friends' careers if he doesn't play along. What is this honest guy going to do?

Overall, this is a very pleasant little film. I already commented about the music by Como, but this film features a few insane musical numbers (such as Miranda's "Botocudo") as well. While these folks are SUPPOSED to be performing a few songs during an election run or in night clubs, the production numbers become ridiculously big as the film progresses. This isn't a complaint--just an observation about the sort of song and dance numbers that were popular during this era. Not a must-see but a decent little time-passer.

Probably the most demands on Perry Como as an actor in his brief sojourn in Hollywood was this watered down remake of Dick Powell's classic Thanks A Million. Sad to say that has not been made available and it is a pity. Thanks A Million was a sharp and witty satire on the American political system how a crooner gets himself good and used by a corrupt political machine when they dump their candidate and nominate him for governor. The same material is used, but without the bite.

Instead of the radio crooners of the Thirties the music is now the swing music of the Forties supplied by Harry James. He's got a pair of attractions with his band played by Vivian Blaine and Carmen Miranda and a press agent played by Phil Silvers. He hires Perry Como as a male singer and the group accepts a touring gig with a political candidate who has a drinking problem and is played by Edgar Buchanan. One night when he's in his cups, Como goes on and wows the crowd. At that point the political bosses switch to use him as their stooge.

The musical score is nothing to write home about. Perhaps if Perry had a big hit from this he might have stayed a little longer in Hollywood. Not much more though. That relaxed attitude that made him welcome in so many homes in the 50s was not hiding any great acting talent like his contemporary graduate from the big bands Frank Sinatra.

Even Carmen Miranda was somewhat subdued in If I'm Lucky.

Hope that some day you get to see Thanks A Million so you can compare.

Silly but pleasant little Fox B trifle. A Carmen Miranda musical in B&W is an oddity but in B&W or color she is always Technicolor and is as full as sass as ever and her headgear is as truly astounding. Perry Como sings well and is certainly attractive but he is missing that big screen charisma needed for major stardom. It is easy to see why he was a big hit on TV, he possessed a very warm and friendly presence that makes you feel right at home. Vivian Blaine is lovely and Edgar Buchanan is always a welcome addition to any movie but Phil Silvers is an acquired taste, there's no in between either you like him or not. For me he's hard to take but if you're a fan than he can be amusing. One big plus this has is that Harry James and his band provide the music and that's always a good thing.

'If I'm Lucky' is a decent and pleasant musical, and passes the time more than adequately. However, it also could have been better considering the talent.

The weak link is the story, which is tepid fairly often with some of the goings on verging on the tedious. The script is charming and amusing enough, but needed a sharper edge and more bite, feeling a little blander than it should have been considering it's meant to be satirical.

Perry Como is handsome and sings exquisitely but is not a natural actor and it shows in a performance that other than the singing is pretty wooden. While 'If I'm Lucky' is a very good-looking film (more than that actually) there were a couple of scenes crying out for Technicolor, especially the still hugely entertaining "Botocuda".

However the black and white production values are a marvel, being remarkably crisp and opulent. The songs are not timeless and they don't stick in the head unforgettably, but they still are very pleasant and lovely to listen to with a good deal of energy, "Botocuda" and the title song standing out in particular.

Much of the direction is very much competent and the pacing, though with the odd tedium in between, tends to be bright and breezy. Como aside, the cast don't disappoint. Carmen Miranda steals the film with her colourfully wild costumes and her hilariously nutty presence from her butchered English to her deliciously exaggerated facial expressions. Vivian Blaine is charmingly polished and passionately energetic, while Harry James (playing an integral part to the story) is in his prime. Phil Silvers did have material that played to his strengths a little more in 'Something for the Boys' but actually a more subdued performance from him here and in comparison to a lot of his other films was appreciated and worked well (will also be a delight for non-fans).

On the whole, a pleasant way to pass the time but could have been much better. 6/10 Bethany Cox