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 V. Sarno	...	Pop Fry

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:

man spanks a woman | man uses crutches | theft | love | physical handicap | 

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Taglines:

THE ONLY PICTURE GREAT ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU FORGET "STREET ANGEL"-"SEVETH HEAVEN" (Print Ad-Pittsburgh Press,((Pittsburgh, Penna.)) 2 September 1929)

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

According to the New York Times, the sound version of this movie was "partly silent and partly talking, being divided about equally into the two molds." Sound effects were scattered throughout the picture, including a phonograph record and the noise of a train's departure.

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Quotes

Timothy Osborn: -To Mary after she tried to sell to him some berries overpriced- I'll give you twenty cents for the berries, and ten cents for not pitying me.

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Connections

Featured in Murnau, Borzage and Fox (2008)

User Reviews

You Are My Lucky Star...

Lucky Star begins in a small town and focuses on a small tomboy (Janet Gaynor). She spends her time carting various goods around town to make money for her family and brings some milk to a work site for sale. There she causes trouble between two of the men, one named Martin who believes she tried to cheat him out of his money (Guinn Williams) and the other, Tim, who defends her innocence (Charles Farrell). Suddenly, the quaint sentiment is broken by the announcement of WWI and then scatter off to enlist. A few years later, we see the town after the war. Tim has lost the ability to use his legs and is confined to a wheelchair. Martin is a man about town who uses his stint in the war for his own personal gain. The tomboy is a bit older now, but still as mischievous as before. She befriends Tim, who by this time is very lonely, and the two form a strong bond. However, Martin sees how beautiful the girl has become and goes about wooing her mother for her hand in marriage.

A heartfelt movie with a great cast, Lucky Star is one of those movies that should be released on DVD. It is talked about often among cinephiles but is rarely seen. The copy I saw was a terrible print with an ill-fitting soundtrack; if it was good in spite of those things, just think of how wonderful it could be with a clear print and a great soundtrack! Unfortunately, most of Frank Borzage's beautiful cinematography was lost in the haze of the damaged print, but it was no doubt an asset to the film. The outdoor scenes show a picturesque town with almost fantastical homes. It adds to the charm of the love story.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 August 1929 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lucky Star

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min (New York opening) 100 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1