Just My Luck (1957)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

John Paddy Carstairs

Writers:

Peter Cusick (anecdote)
Alfred Shaughnessy (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

7 January 1958 (Sweden)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Norman works in a jewellers workshop and fantasises (in the nicest way) about meeting the window dresser across the road from his workshop...

Plot Keywords:

Betting On Horse | Based On Novel

Cast

Norman Wisdom	...	Norman Hackett (and his own father)
Margaret Rutherford	...	Mrs. Dooley
Jill Dixon	...	Anne
Leslie Phillips	...	Hon. Richard Lumb
Delphi Lawrence	...	Miss Daviot
Joan Sims	...	Phoebe
Edward Chapman	...	Mr. Stoneway
Peter Copley	...	Gilbert Weaver
Vic Wise	...	Eddie Diamond
Marjorie Rhodes	...	Mrs. Hackett
Michael Ward	...	Cranley
Marianne Stone	...	Tea Bar Attendant
Felix Felton	...	Man in Cinema
Michael Brennan	...	Masseur
Cyril Chamberlain	...	Goodwood Official

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Finland:S | UK:U | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Rank Organisation, The

So-so Wisdom fans with a very thin plot and a real inability to make good use of the impressive (on paper) cast

Norman works in a jewellers where he polishes, melts, delivers, run errands and generally is put upon by Mr Stoneway and his colleagues. His only real dream in live is to get to know the girl who works as a window dresser in the store opposite his work place. The best way he can think of doing this is to try and save up to buy the prettiest pendant in the shop to give to her but on his salary it will take him several hundred years to manage to get the money together – by which time it is likely that both he and the girl will both be dead. When he learns about betting and just how easy it is to win loads of money with a simple accumulator bet he decides to play the gee-gees to get the money.

Although the subject of a compulsive gambling streak is perhaps not the greatest subject for comedy but this is not the problem with this film for most viewers. Instead it will be just how basic the plot is – even by Norman Wisdom standards this is a very thin frame indeed. The gambling idea is stretched thin to provide comedic scenarios that sometimes don't even fit into the story at all without a massive cinematic shoehorn. Of course fans of Wisdom won't mind this too much as the basic aim is the usual "getting the unobtainable girl" stuff. The usual stumbling slapstick is all there and, although it has dated and is unlikely to appeal to younger viewers, is still enjoyable to fans of the period and of Wisdom. The lack of a decent plot is perhaps a bigger problem than with his better films but fans will still forgive it more or less.

The cast are a disappointment. Wisdom isn't brilliant but his usual stuff is all up there on the screen – if you like him you'll like it, if not you won't. It is the support cast where the potential is missed though, which is a shame because there are so many good faces in there. Sims has little to do and is roundly wasted. Philips may be most famous for doing the one type of role but there is a reason for that and it is notable that he plays it straight here and therefore is quite dull. Rutherford has a cameo that is amusing and overplayed but her eccentric turn is welcome to produce a bit of lively energy. Chapman is a welcome familiar face to Wisdom fans but he doesn't have much to do. Dixon is about as bland as you can get but this is no surprise considering the role she plays within the formula. Although there are a few good performances, the cast certainly do not get anywhere near what you would expect from this list of names.

Overall this is an average Wisdom film that will please his fans but even they will acknowledge that this is not one of his better films The plot is about as thin as it could have been and the comedy is really forced into it but is still quite pleasing and amusing (although rarely funny). These problems I could live with but the film's inability to use a comparatively stellar cast is a real let down.