I noticed the 1946 movie Lady Luck was on Turner this afternoon. Cool. I had a couple of 8X10 “Mini” lobby cards from the flick so I thought I’d tape the thing. Only had two stars so’s I figured I could fast forward through the thing if it took a turn to Turkeyville. Starred Robert Young, Barbara Hale and that guy from Oz and the blurb promised nothing except something about a girl a gambler and a marriage. Yeah, fast forward seemed like a promising concept. Tapped a bottle of Thunderhead from that brewery up at the north end of town and bagged a couple of chips over the phone from D. Saito. Oh yeah…lady Luck. ‘Nother bottle of IPA and started the vidy.

Geez, pretty good movie for casino buffs, gambling types, Las Vegas fans and folks who watch moving pictures. A very nice example of Hollywood craft and the studio system back in the halcyon ‘40’s. Light romantic comedy and fun to watch and contrast to today’s efforts. Certainly a “B” cast at best but that is not an indictment of the actors’ talents in this movie. For instance, instead of Mr. Lucky’s Cary Grant we get Robert Young as the leading lad. You won’t find a Lauren Becall or Edward G. anywhere either. Barbara Hale just can’t engage as the ingénue but every now and then the cool sophistication of Perry Mason’s Della Street brings a peek into the future. Character actors populate every nook and cranny and camera shot. Tight story and tight pacing, no wasted frames in Lady Luck. The dialogue isn’t exactly star stuff either as this exchange clanks into the can as Young endures the puzzlement of flinty-eyed gambler Sacramento Sam when he gives up gambling for marriage to the girl.

”The trouble with you Sam is you never liked women! Sam: “What’s the matter with you? Didn’t I stay with my mother ‘till I was 11 years old?”

Even Ben Stiller wouldn’t repeat anything like that.

So anyway, gambling, Las Vegas. Some pretty cool stuff. Boy and girl go to Las Vegas to get married. Outstanding cruise down 1946 Fremont street on a busy night. First up the Pioneer Club and then Las Vegas Club and Monte Carlo and before the sign for the Apache Hotel comes into view we cut to the Robt. Young and B. Hale pulling into The Last Frontier just outside of town at sunset. They were in a mid ‘40’s Chrysler convertible or as Ralph might say, one of them new cars. Sorry to say the interior shots were probably all Hollywood sets. Sigh.

Give props to Tinsletown when it comes to gambling. These boys know their stuff. The gaming scenes are authentic and the five-card draw game at the end is as good a poker scene as any in film. Lady Luck is a fun movie for people in this hobby and I’m going to remember that when I look at these photo cards. At least 3 chips up!