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Mr. Lucky

Play trailer Poster for Mr. Lucky Released Jun 3, 1943 1h 40m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Joe Adams (Cary Grant) is as clever as they come. Certain that he'll be called up during World War II, Joe nabs the draft papers of a man who's been freed from service and leverages his position into a potentially lucrative scam. The captain of a commercial ship, Joe cons war volunteer Dorothy Bryant (Laraine Day) into believing that he's planning a fund drive for the troops. In fact, he's got something more devious in mind. But as Joe rethinks things, he finds his ruse is already in motion.
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Mr. Lucky

Critics Reviews

View All (6) Critics Reviews
Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune Cary Grant in one of his signature roles: as a suave WW II-era lady-killing gambler. Rated: 3/4 Oct 25, 2015 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Picture carries an authentic ring to operations of bigtime gamblers, and it faithfully follows the professional premise of 'never give the sucker a break, but never cheat a friend'. Oct 25, 2015 Full Review Thomas M. Pryor New York Times The light touch prevails pretty much, so "Mr. Lucky" should keep you in a more or less chucklesome mood most of the time. Oct 25, 2015 Full Review Sky Staff Sky Cinema An engaging comedy drama with lots of sharp little cameo performances, this story of a gambler reformed by love was later remade (very loosely) as 'Gambling House' and also turned into a TV series. Rated: 3/5 Oct 25, 2015 Full Review TV Guide Putting aside any moralizing, it's a well-made movie with some fun attached. Rated: 3/5 Oct 25, 2015 Full Review Adrian Turner Radio Times It sounds tacky, and it is a bit, but the movie from Hellzapoppin' director HC Potter was a big hit in 1943 and Grant always rated it as one of his favourites "because the character I played was more like the real Cary Grant than any before". Rated: 3/5 Oct 25, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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steve d Grant is off type, but it is one of his worst. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member I'm a gambler not a gangster. A man and his gangsters create an elaborate plan to swindle a charity organization out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The man flirts with a key stakeholder in the charity organization that covers for him and thinks they may eventually form a relationship; meanwhile, a gambling night is schedule to raise funds for the charity. The night of the event the man's true intentions play out in front of everyone. "It's gambling." "Not the way I play." HC Potter, director of The Time of Your Life, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle, and You Gotta Stay Happy, delivers Mr. Lucky. The storyline for this picture is fun and worth watching unfold but not entirely believable or realistic. The acting is excellent and the cast includes Cary Grant, Laraine Day, Alan Carney, Kay Johnson, Paul Stewart, and Charles Bickford. "Are you aware of the character of this gentleman?" I recently discovered this Cary Grant film was coming on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and had to DVR it. This was fairly entertaining but not one of Grants best films. I recommend watching this once as it is a must see for fans of classic films. "What did you think this was, amateur night?" Grade: B-/B (7.5) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review s r Lots going on here, but the characters are torn between doing what is good short vs long term. Surprisingly realist ending. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member cary plays bad so wonderfully Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Not the best film with Cary Grant that's for sure. Basically just a classic romance story, with the twist being that Grant completely destroys his film persona. He's a cheat, a draft dodger, a criminal and a womanizer. Not your typical Grant role. The part had to be risky for him with particular regard to the draft dodging during WWII. Not overly memorable, but still an entertaining effort. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a great film that stars Cary Grant and Laraine Day. This is one of the few films that Grant plays a scoundrel. But his scoundrel is very likeable in this. Much like the film Suspicion he starred in he can make a scoundrel very charming and funny. The basic plot is he is a gambler and a con man during the early 40's. He wants to escape the war draft and takes on a different name. He has plans to take a gambling boat to Cuba but needs start up money. He makes a plan to do a auction for the war relief and steal the money. But in the end he falls in love and changes his plan and ways. Grant is very good in this. He comes across as a tough guy from the streets but he is also very funny in this. Laraine Day was also very good in this as Grant's love interest. Plus I liked the story for this film. A fun film to watch. Well worth checking out. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Mr. Lucky

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Joe Adams (Cary Grant) is as clever as they come. Certain that he'll be called up during World War II, Joe nabs the draft papers of a man who's been freed from service and leverages his position into a potentially lucrative scam. The captain of a commercial ship, Joe cons war volunteer Dorothy Bryant (Laraine Day) into believing that he's planning a fund drive for the troops. In fact, he's got something more devious in mind. But as Joe rethinks things, he finds his ruse is already in motion.
Director
H. C. Potter
Producer
David Hempstead
Screenwriter
Milton Holmes, Milton Holmes, Adrian Scott
Production Co
RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 3, 1943, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 22, 2009
Runtime
1h 40m
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