My Lucky Star

Having just seen two of Sonja Henie's previous movies-One in a Million and Thin Ice-before this one, this particular one has a more daffy plot than those others though the performances are good enough, one forgives the unbelievability of it all. Ms. Henie is, as always, good during skating numbers with one good uptempo one to balance her more classical ones as well as another fascinating one based on "Alice in Wonderland". Her leading man here is Richard Greene who I never heard or seen before. Among Ms. Henie's returning supporting players from her previous films are Cesar Romero, Arthur Treacher, Billy Gilbert, and Joan Davis, the latter two especially welcome. Loved both Gilbert's trying to add pistachio nuts to Greene's order and Ms. Davis' pratfalls and funny way with her arm movements. Also amusing was Buddy Ebsen as Ms. Davis' boyfriend. Together, they make a pretty good team. In summary, My Lucky Star was another pretty enjoyable Sonja Henie vehicle.

Cute story and superb cast are hampered by silly and often stupid dialog, dialog so bad so often, even these great actors can't deliver the lines convincingly.

Never mind. Sonja Henie is so adorable, with the sunniest smile, and the cutest cheekbones, one can just tune out the silly lines and watch her.

Richard Greene was about as good-looking a guy as ever crossed the pond and was usually a good actor. I felt some of his reactions here were out of place, but, again, forget about it and watch Sonja.

Arthur Treacher was his usual self, which means pretty well perfect for the part.

Joan Davis ... well, she was over the top, but was also astonishing in her prat-falls. Too bad her part was intrusive and the focus of most of the silliest of the dialog.

Buddy Ebsen is one of those people who can do no wrong. I met him once, at a Western film festival at (I think) UCLA. He was one of the most talented people in Hollywood history. From a vaudeville-type dancer to a serious dramatic actor, he could do it all. Great talent!

I'm confused about part of the cast. I don't know who played the girl friend of the Greene character, but I think it was Patricia Wilder. She sounded like a genuine Southerner and Ms. Wilder was from Macon.

But one of the female characters said "y'all" to one person and only ignorant Yankee script writers make that stupid error, and it's one that irritates me thoroughly. "Y'all" is plural. That means more than one person, and no Southerner says "y'all" to one person.

Never mind. Watch Sonja.

Also watch Paul Hurst. He was around a long time, playing tough characters, especially villains, in silent Westerns, and playing a wonderful character in John Wayne's "Angel and the Badman" (1947). He was a great talent.

Not finally, but finally for this review, that gold-digger played by Louise Hovick? She was much better known as Gypsy Rose Lee. And she was a find! Very underplayed, very cool and calm as the gal wanting money from George Cabot, Jr., played somewhat over the top by Cesar Romero, usually one of my favorites, but who needed a better director here to tone him down.

Be patient, but do watch "My Lucky Star" when next it is available on TCM or FX. Be patient, because a lot of the early dialog will irritate. Be patient, and await the adorable Sonja Henie, who left us far too soon.

Even in her lesser films, Sonja Henie was always watchable and there was a good deal to like about her weaker outings. The bright spots were often her, the ice skating sequences and the music, while the weak link was often typically the story.

'My Lucky Star' has its issues, but on the most part it is one of Henie's better films. Its weak link is, unsurprisingly, the story, which makes thin ice less thin, takes daftness to a whole new level and goes too far on the simplistic. The silly and weak, often embarrassingly so, dialogue is just as problematic. As is the rather bland performance of Richard Greene in a limited role. To a lesser degree Elisha Cook Jnr and Gypsy Rose Lee (who also over-compensates a little) have little to do.

So much can be recommended however. 'My Lucky Star' is exquisitely photographed and sumptuously designed. The skating sequences are jaw-droppingly imaginative and brilliantly choreographed with so much energy and grace. The breath-taking "Alice in Wonderland" finale, accompanied by Victor Herbert's classic "March of the Soldiers" is the standout. The songs are similarly very pleasant, though few are timeless. Particularly good are "Could You Pass in Love" and "I've Got a Date with a Dream".

The direction is assured and the pacing vibrant. Henie is pert, spunky and charming, and the camera clearly loves her. Her ice skating is also out of this world, particularly in the "Alice in Wonderland" sequence. Joan Davis bags some amusing moments, while Buddy Ebson proves himself to be a born entertainer. One mustn't forget dashing and suave Cesar Romero, while Billy Gilbert comes very close to stealing the film.

All in all, entertaining if flawed film and worth watching particularly for Henie and the ice skating. 7/10 Bethany Cox

This is a silly movie with much singing and dancing. Acting is average, but writing leaves something to be desired. There are rememberable performances by Buddy Epsen, with a short but outstanding performance by Gypsy Rose as the bitter wife of a rich playboy. A totally unbelievable portrayal of college life which ends with a superb ice skating exibition of Alice in Wonderland. Many parts are worth watching, but do not be afraid to fast forward through parts of the movie

I bought this movie because I am a huge Richard Greene fan and I have always wanted to watch Sonja Henie.

I was not disappointed.

This movie is definitely worth seeing and/or buying. It has wonderful, catchy swingy tunes and a great cast. Sure, the story is cliché, but weren't most musicals like that back then? Well, it is actually a little bit more original than others, because Sonja wraps packages at a department store, and after meeting her, and to keep her away from his jealous wife (Gypsy Rose Lee a.k.a Louise Hovick), Caesar Romero, the son of the big department store Sonja works for, sends her to fictional Plymouth University as a "living mannequin" to promote their store's women's' sporting goods section. While there, Sonja befriends student Buddy Ebsen and his girlfriend Mary Dwight (Joan Davis), does some enjoyable skate routines (best one is COULD YOU PASS IN LOVE? first sung by Buddy and Joan, then skated by Sonja and a chorus of skating guys in bowler hats), gets tricked by a nasty Southern girl who is a bad ice skater (played nicely by Patricia Wilder) gets accused of being involved in a scandal (courtesy of Gypsy Rose), and falls in love with super-duper handsome senior Richard Greene. They and others sing a very lovely ballad on a hayride. (I don't know the name.) But it's very charming, and it was stuck in my head for a week after I watched it. The musical numbers are fun, though they come nowhere near MGM or early Busby Berkeley musical splendor. Sonja dos live up to her name as great ice skater, though. In the big production "Alice in Wonderland" finale, she shines, and the costumes and music and charming. The other big musical number, I'VE GOT A DATE WITH A DREAM, showcases a myriad of showgirls wearing beautiful furs and evening gowns, and other fashionable outfits, and a tenor who sings the song admirably. Later into the number, Buddy and Joan do a short, comedic rendition of the song.

In all, MY LUCKY STAR is a good way to pass the time and a good film to start with if you want to explore the works of Sonja Henie.