The Luck of a Sailor (1934) User Reviews

The sailor has definite luck

[niels-4 · 7/10 · 11 May 2016]

Great fun to finally watch this film starring David Manners, Greta Nissen, Camilla Horn and a talented cast of British actors. The story of the old exiled Prince to return home as a King with a young bride as his wife is not the most original of stories. A country is in turmoil and declares that they want to restore monarchy. The story is treated with humor and snappy dialogue. Great set designs and stylish fashions makes this movie a great pleasure to watch. It has a definite Hollywood look. This British quota film should have entertained cinema goers on both side of the Atlantic. Now it has a new possibility, thanks to the restoration of forgotten film gems from British Network. Its a short adventure of fun and romance, the destiny of the characters involved in the story is perhaps a bit predictable. Director Robert Milton gives us some interesting camera work and lush atmosphere of glamour in some scenes. If not a great classic you wont get bored. The musical score fun and light, band era type from the mid 1930's. Hollywood actors Greta Nissen and David Manners is at ease and control in romantic interludes, especially at sea on the deck of the ship where they are lit in a special effect of atmosphere. Perhaps too lame as a latter pre-code movie, made in England after all. Ending is a bit melodramatic, typical of its era. Conclusion: Enjoyable comedy with a great cast of actors. There are still minor film classics in waiting for restoration.

Lacklustre quota quickie

[malcolmgsw · 4/10 · 29 January 2017]

This is a lacklustre quota quickie which makes 64 minutes seem like an eternity.It is a Ruritanian romantic comedy.The monarchy is restored in a European country.The crown Prince has to go back home and is taken back home by a British battleship Captained by David Manners.Clifford Mollinson is a newspaper reporter who sites away on the ship with a short wave radio to send reports back to his newspaper.The King has married attractive but broke Greta Nissen.She though has fallen for the Captain.However the country doesn't want her so she has to abdicate.So she is free to carry on her romance with the Captain.Sadly rather dull.The print has been excellently restored for the DVD issue.