Lucky Star (1929)

Mary, a poor farm girl, meets Tim just as word comes that war has been declared. Tim enlists in the army and goes to the battlefields of Europe, where he is wounded and loses the use of his... See full summary »

Director:

Frank Borzage

Writers:

John Hunter Booth (dialogue), H.H. Caldwell (titles),

Stars:

Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell, Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Janet Gaynor	...	Mary Tucker
Charles Farrell	...	Timothy Osborn
Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams	...	Sgt. Martin Wrenn
Paul Fix	...	Joe
Hedwiga Reicher	...	Mrs. Tucker
Gloria Grey	...	Mary Smith
Hector Sarno	...	Pop Fry (as Hector V. Sarno)

Storyline

Mary, a poor farm girl, meets Tim just as word comes that war has been declared. Tim enlists in the army and goes to the battlefields of Europe, where he is wounded and loses the use of his legs. Home again, Tim is visited by Mary, and they are powerfully attracted to each other; but his physical handicap prevents him from declaring his love for her. Deeper complications set in when Martin, Tim's former sergeant and a bully, takes a shine to Mary.

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Plot Keywords:

farm girl | physical handicap | handicap | love | army | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 August 1929 (USA)

Also Known As:

Estrellas dichosas

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 100 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System) (talking sequences) Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According the Netherlands Film Museum, which restored "Lucky Star", the film was originally a part talkie, with some dialog and effects, but the soundtrack has been lost.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Hist-o-Rama: Janet Gaynor (1962)

User Reviews

Quite simply, a perfect film

This film was the last silent film Charles Farrell and Janet Gaynor made as a team, and their soulful chemistry is more evident in this film than any other they made together. Is this movie so poignant because it marked the end of their silent career together, or because they had really reached the peak of their artistry together? This was also their last film with director Borzage, who also reached the peak of his art with this film.

To me, LUCKY STAR also demonstrates what made Farrell great as an actor. Although he is often unfavorably compared to Gaynor, he is restrained, elegant, and utterly believable as the handicapped Timothy Osborne. The scene in which he bathes Janet, or later when they embrace before she heads off to the party, is masterful. His expression tears your heart out.

If you have a chance to see this film, please do--you won't be sorry. This is the kind of film that makes you realize how truly great the art of silent cinema was (and remains). 10 stars.