Pile ou face

This is a very well-made and enjoyable film. While not exactly a wonderful film, it is very worth watching and an excellent example of Cary Grant's acting and charm. It's a wartime propaganda film that takes a different slant--instead of being heavy-handed and centering on war, it focuses on a con man who thinks he's slick for avoiding the draft--fighting is only for "suckers". As the film progresses, his unshakable bravado suddenly becomes shaken when he meets lovely Loraine Day. Somehow, she gets through to this charming jerk and he knows he can't continue as he's been doing. It's an interesting character study and a welcome change from the usual.

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

Unavailable on DVD, but found on VHS at Blockbuster, "Mr Lucky" is a Cary Grant vehicle, even more than a morale boosting, "keep the homes fires burning" war movie. Grant gets to play a wide range of roles here: fashion plate, grifter, romantic lead, war hero and (most notably) knitter of sweaters. Look, I've seen them all: North By Northwest, Bringing Up Baby, To Catch A Thief, and on and on.This has many moments that match the very best that Cary Grant had on offer. Most notably, there's an extended sequence of Grant riffing in Cockney to Laraine Day. Now Cary Grant liked to identify himself as a Cockney (which is usually termed as an East Londoner), but here he gets the rare opportunity in his movie career to play one (also in Gunga Din), and when asked where he picked up the rhyming slang that makes Cockney so annoying (charming to Americans) he says: Australia ! Ah Hollywood... You've also got to admire the sartorial splendor which Cary maintains throughout the film, even though he 's supposedly a poor kid from the wrong side of the tracks who left home at nine. Apparently there's a finishing school on Skid Row, and Cary was voted Best Dressed. Of course, one of the perverse running gags of "Mr Lucky" is that our hero wears absurdly garish ties, and does not know how to tie a Windsor knot. All he needs is Laraine Day to bring him the appropriate conservative necktie to complete him. Bless him he fights her off ... On a fifth viewing (over a lifetime), I have to admit the last twenty minutes drips with melodramatic sentiment out of step with our modern times (hey, I still tear up-don't tell anyone) but this is still a classic: funny, fast paced, easy on the eyes, and with a great supporting cast.

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.