One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.
As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.
Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.
I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”
When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.
See you at the movies!
***Spoilers Ahead!***
122. Mr. Lucky (1943) Directed by H.C. Potter
The Movie: Joe Adams (Cary Grant) is a draft dodging, con man. Joe’s luck runs out when he and his partner, Zepp (Paul Stewart) both get the numbers called to join the fight. Joe does have one more ace up his sleeve. His lackey Joe Bascopoulos has died, and his status is 4F, meaning he is unfit for duty. Joe and Zepp decide to gamble for Bascopoulos’ identity so they do not have to enter the war. Zepp cheats, but Joe still wins and assumes Bascopoulos’ identity. Zepp meanwhile fails his physical examination and is denied enlistment.
Joe as an idea for a gambling ship, the problem is he has no money. Ever the con man, Joe meets Captain Veronica Steadman (Gladys Cooper) and talks her into bankrolling a “charity” casino, in which the profits will be used to outfit a relief ship. Captain Steadman agrees, but Joe is meet with some pushback from Lieutenant and wealthy socialite, Dorothy Bryant (Laraine Day).
Joe is a charming con man and eventually wins Dorothy over, by teaching her some Australian slang, and being a quick thinker.
On the day of the charity ball, Joe receives a letter from Greece. Joe, curious about its contents takes it to a Greek Orthodox priest to translate it for him. Joe learns that the letter is from Bascopoulos’ mother. Joe learns that she is in Axis-occupied Greece. Not only that but Bascopoulos brothers fought the Nazi’s to the death, so too did all the men in their village. Joe for the first time realizes that maybe being a con man isn’t the way to be.
At the ball, Joe’s plan to steal money from the rich is coming into focus. Joe uses cash boxes with fake bottoms to move the money. Joe soon is overcome with guilt and changes his mind, he tells “Crunk” (Alan Carney) that the money will in fact go to the war relief.
Zepp hears this and takes Joe at gunpoint. Dorothy believes Joe is in on the scam, Joe ever the quick thinker, knocks her out, thus protecting her. As Zepp begins to collect the money, Joe attacks him, and kills him, brutally. Joe is shot in scuffle and runs away. Leaving only a trail of blood.
Dorothy receives the money from Joe, through his friend Swede (Charles Bickford) at the dock. Dorothy learns that Joe has died, but when a policeman shows her his picture, she realizes that’s not the Joe she knows. Dorothy learns that there is a ship in the dock that Bascopoulos works on. She rushes there and finds Joe. She begs Joe to take her with him to Europe. Joe refuses, telling Dorothy that she deserves someone better. Joe leaves. Dorothy believes that on the return trip from Europe, Joe’s ship is torpedoed. Dorothy overcome with grief visits the pier every night, hoping for Joe’s return.
Joe does return, by a dinghy, but on the other end of the pier. As Joe excitedly exits the boat the guard tells him he can’t leave it tied where it’s at. Joe makes a deal with the watchman, he will flip a coin and whomever losses must move the boat. Joe is given heads and wins. Dorothy sees him and runs and embraces him. Swede looks at the coin, it’s heads on both sides.
Why I Love Mr. Lucky (1943): Up to this point in his career Cary Grant did not delve too much into darker characters, sure there was Johnnie Aysgarth in Suspicion, but that was a red herring. In Mr. Lucky, Grant uses what us as audience members expect from him against us.
Grant is funny, charming and handsome but that’s what makes Joe such a great con man. He lulls you into liking him and when you least suspect it, he uses that power and pulls the rug out from under your feet.
Joe is not a good guy. It takes the good in Laraine Day’s Dorothy and the sacrifice of men across the Atlantic for Joe to see the wrongs he has done, and Grant is a master at taking us along for the ride.
H.C. Potter keeps the film from being too predictable, with stylish fog peppering the opening and ending of the film, giving the movie a mysterious and dangerous feel.
Not lost in the gambling, double-crossing and brutal killing of a man at the hands of Grant, is still the most charming man to ever grace the big screen. His scenes with Day, teaching her slang are some of the most fun scenes in Grant’s career.
Mr. Lucky takes what we know about Cary Grant, what we love about Cary Grant and turns it on its side. It is one of the only films in Grant’s incredible career where you are not sure if you should be rooting for him, or against him. In the end, Grant’s charisma wins out and makes Mr. Lucky one of his most underrated films.