Happy Go Lucky

I like all the actors who appear in "Happy Go Lucky," but not much in this film. This movie bounces all over the place, the plot is a jumble of small plots, and the screenplay is lousy. Even the musical numbers don't go over well. Betty Hutton as Bubbles Hennessy is way overboard, especially in her singing. She could make some ugly faces with her facial contortions in songs. I think it was poor directing that let stuff like that get through. I'll bet she shuddered if she saw the film and how she appeared in her songs.

Mary Martin as Marjory, Dick Powell as Pete and Rudy Vallee as Alfred don't seem to have any energy. In Alfred's case, it may be intentional; but with few others showing any zip for their roles, this film soon becomes a ho-hum. Eddie Bracken is OK, and I like to see Eric Blore in his supporting roles. But they don't have enough to lift this film above poor. What little humor there is can't save the film either.

It appears to be a lavish production from the opening scene with many people in costume and the boat landing setting. But it soon turns out to be a very poor film. This was a Paramount picture, and I wonder if this wasn't one of its "B" level films. I had a hard time staying with it. It just isn't that interesting or entertaining.