"Mr. Lucky" is a 1943 romance film directed by H.C. Potter, starring Cary Grant as Joe Adams and Laraine Day as Dorothy Bryant. The story revolves around Joe, a gambler planning to swindle money from a charity program but has a change of heart when he falls for Dorothy, a rich society girl.
Plot
The film follows Joe Adams as he schemes to take advantage of a charity event but finds himself conflicted when he develops genuine feelings for Dorothy, leading to a series of events that challenge his morals and loyalty.
Trailer
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Cast
- Cary Grant as Joe Adams/"Joe Bascopoulos"
- Laraine Day as Dorothy Bryant
- Charles Bickford as Hard Swede
- Gladys Cooper as Captain Veronica Steadman
- Alan Carney as the "Crunk"
- Henry Stephenson as Mr. Bryant, Dorothy's grandfather
- Paul Stewart as Zepp
- Kay Johnson as Mrs. Mary Ostrander
- Walter Kingsford as Commissioner Hargraves
- Erford Gage as Henchman
- Florence Bates as Mrs. Van Every
- Edward Fielding as Foster, Dorothy's butler (uncredited)
- Emory Parnell as the dock watchman (uncredited)
- Vladimir Sokoloff as the Greek priest (uncredited)
Director: H.C. Potter
Writer: Milton Holmes
Box Office Gross: $1,603,000 in the USA
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Genre: Romance
Release Date: August 27, 1943
Theme
The film explores themes of love, morality, and redemption through the transformation of Joe Adams from a cunning gambler to a man torn between his past life and newfound emotions.
Reception
"Mr. Lucky" was well-received and achieved commercial success, making a profit of $1,603,000. It was praised for Cary Grant's performance and the blend of comedy and drama in the storyline.
Production Challenges
The production of "Mr. Lucky" faced challenges typical of filmmaking in the 1940s but ultimately resulted in a successful and acclaimed movie.
Settings
The film is set in the days before the United States entered World War II, capturing the ambiance of that era with its unique charm and style.
Visual Styles & Techniques
Directed by H.C. Potter and featuring cinematography by George Barnes, "Mr. Lucky" showcases black and white visuals that enhance the storytelling and character dynamics.
Trivia & Fun Facts
- Laraine Day was on loan-out from MGM for her role in the film.
- "Mr. Lucky" was RKO's second biggest hit of 1943.
- The film was inspired by a real event in 1936 where a gambling benefit was held at the Beverly Hills Hotel for charity.
