Meet MR. LUCKY

MR. LUCKY (Blu-ray)

1943 / 100 min

From Warner Archive Collection

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😺

It seems like quite a few Cary Grant movies have been getting upgraded lately. One of the all-time great thrillers, North by Northwest, recently got a masterful 4K restoration, as did the 1942 comic-mystery The Talk of the Town. Lesser known than those two classics is Mr. Lucky, a charming romantic comedy featuring Grant doing what he does best…which is being Cary Grant.

During World War II, fast-talking gambler/conman Joe Adams (Grant) is trying to avoid the draft while looking to get-hold of quick cash for his casino ship, which is docked in New York. He assumes the identity of one of his dead partners, becoming Joe Bascopoulos, but is unsuccessful raising money. Then he meets Dorothy Bryant (Laraine Day), who’s in charge of a war relief organization. Joe proposes putting together a charity casino night for an upcoming fundraiser, in which he and his boys would provide the games and equipment with the promise of raising thousands of dollars. In reality, he plans on absconding with the winnings afterwards. 

"You might wanna wait a few minutes before going in there."

Dorothy is reluctant and suspicious at first, but Joe endears himself to her colleagues…and eventually Dorothy herself, despite learning - from her overprotective grandfather - that “Joe Bascopoulos” is a career criminal one step away from being sent away for life. Of course, the two fall for each other, and after hearing of the tragedy that the real Bascopoulos’ Greek family endured during a Nazi invasion, Joe has second thoughts about his scheme. Meanwhile, Joe’s disgruntled ex-partner, Zepp (Paul Stewart), has plans of his own, which involves setting Joe up to go to prison while making off with the $200,000 in casino earnings.

Mr. Lucky immediately establishes a light, breezy tone, with amusing dialogue and playful performances. Grant is…well, Cary Grant, which is just the type of persona Joe needs to make him lovable, even when he’s swindling others (most of them actually deserve to be duped). As Dorothy, Day is lovely and engaging, first as a funny foil, then as Joe’s (sort-of) partner-in-crime. Also enjoyable is Alan Carney as “Crunk,” Joe’s beleaguered right-hand man forced to take up crochet on his boss’ behalf (a great running gag).

The story is needlessly protracted during the final act, with a comparatively serious (and violent) clash between Joe and Zepp, as well as a bit more melodrama then the film really needed. But until then, Mr. Lucky offers plenty of fast-paced, fast-talking fun. Though not one of Cary Grant’s more iconic roles, he’s nevertheless in fine form here.

EXTRA KIBBLES

2 RADIO BROADCASTS - Lux Radio Theater with Cary Grant & Laraine Day; Screen Director’s Playhouse with Cary Grant and H.C. Potter.

TRAILER

Revisit THE SPANISH MAIN

THE SPANISH MAIN (Blu-ray)

1945 / 100 min

From Warner Archive Collection

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😺

If I were to go back in time to and meet Maureen O’Hara on the set of The Spanish Main, I’d probably be as clumsy and tongue-tied as Goofy. “Gawrsh, Miss O’Hara…yer sure purdy,” I’d awkwardly stammer while tripping backwards over director Frank Borzage’s shoes. 

I’ve always admired O’Hara and she’s intimidatingly gorgeous in this one, to the point where I’m sorta surprised co-star Paul Henried didn’t end each of his lines with “Gawrsh!” But I guess that’s what makes him such a good actor…better than Errol Flynn ever was anyway. I mention Flynn because The Spanish Main is the type of action-adventure film where casting him would’ve been a no-brainer…

…which makes Henried the real surprise here. He’s cast more-or-less against type in The Spanish Main as Laurent van Horn, a Dutch immigrant whose dreams of starting a new life in America are thwarted when his ship gets stranded in Cartagena and he’s imprisoned by tyrannical governor Don Juan Alvarado (Walter Sleazak). After escaping, he becomes a notorious pirate known as the Barracuda.

"The brochure said there was a buffet."

He’s also hell-bent on ruining Alvarado’s life, which includes kidnapping and marrying Contessa Francisca (O’Hara), a woman betrothed to Alvarado by her father. She only agrees to marry Laurent to spare the lives onboard her escort ship, and the two initially seem to have an acrimonious relationship…though there’s never any doubt that they’ll actually fall in love. Meanwhile, some of Laurent’s fellow pirates feel like he’s violated the “brotherhood,” leading trusted shipmate Mario Di Bilar (John Emery) to betray him, eventually conspiring with Alvarado.

This movie’s a hell of a lot of fun, with an engaging (if familiar) story, plenty of humor and some great action sequences. But what really makes it memorable are the characters and performances. As Laurent, Henried seems to be having a good time playing a devil-may-care buccaneer, a far cry from the roles he’s typically associated with. Not only is O’Hara especially radiant here, her character is more than window dressing. Francisca is smart, headstrong and ultimately quite resourceful. The film also features a terrific villain in Alvarado, who’s quickly revealed as a hateful, narcissistic pig.

Though it might not be as widely remembered as some of the other swashbuckling epics of the era, The Spanish Main is a first-rate action-adventure film, lavishly produced and massively entertaining. It isn't the most original movie ever made, but with O'Hara and Henried lighting up the screen like this, who cares?

EXTRA KIBBLES

SHORT - Movieland Magic is sort of a promotional studio tour, with movie clips and songs.

2 CARTOONS - Buccaneer Bunny and Captain Hareblower feature Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam in a pirate setting. Two of the better Looney Tunes shorts to be included in a Warner Archive release.

TRAILER