''Happy Go Lucky '' is a 1943 American comedy film directed by Curtis Bernhardt and written by Walter DeLeon, Melvin Frank, John Jacoby and

Norman Panama Norman Kaye Panama (April 21, 1914 – January 13, 2003) was an American screenwriter, film producer and film director born in Chicago, Illinois. He is known for his partnership with Melvin Frank and their work on films such as ''Mr. Bland ...

. The film stars Mary Martin,

Dick Powell Richard Ewing Powell (November 14, 1904 – January 2, 1963) was an American actor, musician, producer, director, and studio head. Though he came to stardom as a musical comedy performer, he showed versatility, and successfully transformed into ...

, Betty Hutton, Eddie Bracken, Rudy Vallée, Mabel Paige and Eric Blore. The film was released on January 4, 1943, by

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...

. It might be best remembered now for Betty Hutton's energetic performance of the song "Murder, He Says," written by Frank Loesser and Jimmy McHugh.

Plot

Seeking a rich husband, nightclub cigarette girl Marjory Stuart sets sail on a luxury liner, posing as a wealthy heiress. A passenger, Pete Hamilton, spots her as a phony after discovering her valuable bracelet is actually made of paste. While his pal Wally Case deals with an irate Bubbles Hennessy, a singer who is suing him for breach of promise, Pete befriends Marjory and volunteers to help her find a suitable guy. He singles out Alfred Monroe, who is not very exciting but definitely well-off. Marjory goes to work on Alfred, but nothing she tries, from flattery to alcohol, makes him fall for her. A voodoo priestess gives Wally a love potion. Skeptical at first, he and Pete try it on Alfred and it works. Alfred is now madly in love with Marjory and she accepts his proposal, causing Pete to feel a pang of jealousy. Before she can leave, Marjory's true identity's become known and the hotel demands that she pay her bill. Pete and Wally scheme to steal Bubbles's expensive brooch and raffle it off. Bubbles uses the potion on Wally and gets him to the altar. Marjory, meanwhile, sails off for New York with her new beau, Alfred, who generously offers $2,000 to Pete for introducing him to his bride-to-be. A despondent Pete later is delighted to find Marjory waiting for him by herself, love potion in hand.

Cast

* Mary Martin as Marjory Stuart *

as Pete Hamilton * Betty Hutton as Bubbles Hennessy * Eddie Bracken as Wally Case * Rudy Vallée as Alfred Monroe * Mabel Paige as Mrs. Smith * Eric Blore as Betsman * Clem Bevans as Mr. Smith *

Rita Christiani Rita Christiani (1917-2008) was a Trinidad-born American dancer who appeared in American films during the 1940s. Biography Christiani was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad on December 22, 1917. She danced and toured with the Katherine Dunham Co ...

as Rita Christiani * Sir Lancelot as Calypso Singer

References

External links

* 1943 films 1940s English-language films American comedy films 1943 comedy films Paramount Pictures films Films directed by Curtis Bernhardt 1940s American films {{1940s-comedy-film-stub