Irish Luck (1939)

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Did you people see the same film I saw?

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

From this film in 1939 through "Going Collegiate" in 1941, Frankie Darro and Mantan Moreland made seven film together for Monogram Pictures. In each, they play essentially the same characters with the same sort of plots--yet the character names and settings are different. In each, Darro plays an over-eager amateur detective and Moreland is his friend and sidekick. Oddly, even the woman who plays Darro's mother is the same in several films--even though, as I said, the characters are not the same in each film! They have a certain sameness about them--and if you've seen one, you've pretty much a good idea what the others are like.This one finds Darro and Moreland bellboys at a local hotel. Naturally, a murder occurs and instead of Darro going to the police with what he knows (like any SANE person), he decides to take matters into his own hand--nearly getting himself locked up in the process. And, while he's at it, Darro comes to the aid of a woman who at least appears to be a likely suspect! And, not surprisingly, by the end of the film the real culprits are captured and Darro saves the day. Only in films could such a plot work! Like the other films in the series, it is inconsequential and even a bit stupid--yet, somehow, it made enough of an impression on audiences that there were six more films! I don't get it, though if you do choose to watch this one, at least it's probably a bit better than the average film in the series.

It is interesting to read comments by people reviewing a flik from 70yrs ago but bringing 21st Cent eyes. I liked the movie for its good combination of plot, set and dialog. I have seen many Frankie Darro shorts and some are better some are worse but all are just short movies to fill in with the feature and he is the oldest or longest lasting youth going other than the East Siders maybe. The classic use of stage Irish and realizing that the Irish were just making it off the bottom of the social ladder prior to WWll gives an insight most people have forgotten since all changed after the war. No more Irish need not apply for jobs or housing. Some of the unintended consequences of these old slices of life from the small studios like PRC are what i find so enjoyable about this type of film. I have seen a few of the other 6 movies in the series and the plot line is familiar though I think the mystery part in this one is best, for what it is. The rest is straight formula but good performances by the whole cast of journeyman actors many of whom are in multiple movies together. Great cohesion good entertainment, short as it is.

Frankie Darro is a bellhop at a hotel where he hones his detective skills. After recovering some stolen bonds,much to the chagrin of the police, he finds himself mixed up in a murder, that may have been committed by a nervous young lady he has befriended. One of the first pairings of Mantan Moreland and Frankie Darro is one of the best. Here we have a real mystery story that keeps you interested from the very start. Its nice to have a programmer that seems to be more than just one set refurnished over and over again. There are some really clever bits, how Mantan flags down the police is priceless and some witty remarks, coming mostly from Mantan or cop Dick Purcell are amusing. If there is any real disappointment in this film its that Moreland and Darro aren't as chummy as they were in later entries. Indeed, where the pair spends most of their on screen time together here there are whole sections where Frankie is front and center with Moreland no where to be found or reduced to simply acting frightened or explaining things to the police, he's good but he's not what he would become in the later films. recommended to anyone looking for a a good mystery.

Hotel bellhop Buzzy O'Brien plays detective with the various guests of the hotel, much to the unhappiness of police detective Lanahan and hotel detective Fluger. Buzzy's latest case involves Thaddeus Porter, a banker, who was found murdered in his hotel room. Suspicion falls on Kitty Monahan, whose brother is escaping the law for stealing $10,000 in bonds. Buzzy and Jefferson (hotel janitor) deduce that someone in the hotel must be a go between for the hot bond racket, and have to catch the criminal before they themselves become the next victim. If there was a B-movie that can be stereotyped as generic programmer, this would be it. The killer is very easy to figure out, even by the audience members who are half paying attention. The cast and the characterizations are really bland, primarily since we've seen these types of people in hundreds of movies before. The scene at Buzzy's house with his mother helping Kitty only because she's Irish, just seems so corny that its hilarious. Rating, 3.