Just My Luck (1957) User Reviews

Not Wisdom's best, but still enjoyable

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 8 April 2011]

I'm very fond of Norman Wisdom and of his movies. He has a wide-eyed innocence that I do find charming, endearing and amusing too. Just My Luck is not his best film by a long shot, it is a paper-thin plot, a couple of scenes such as the movie theatre scene that were rather tedious and unfunny and I personally think it could have been longer as well.

However, the production values are thoroughly decent, and the music has its quirkiness. The dialogue and gags are amusing if nothing exceptional, though the eclair scene, the bathing the chimp scene and the scenes where Wisdom is high on chloroform are priceless.

There are several other joys as well, while the story is thin there are components, characters and themes that make it quite touching such as the shop worker/beautiful girl and the Greenwood races. Also Wisdom has a dual role, and while he has been better he is as endearing and charming as ever. There's also Margaret Rutherford who is such a lively presence in this movie and Leslie Phillips who also shows some above-credible comedic flair while playing it straight. While I have nothing against musical interludes, I did like that there aren't any here to perhaps endanger it from slowing down.

All in all, enjoyable without being one of the best. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Just The Ticket

[michaelarmer · 6/10 · 18 May 2020]

Another solid effort from Norman Wisdom.

Norman chances on a betting scam, and since he wanted to buy a toy car for an orphan, he tried his luck to win the money from a £1 he scrounged, and guess what, he won the accumulator, the betting gang had other ideas about paying out, but a good natured secretary of theirs made sure Norman could collect his winnings.

Note Joan Sims and Cyril Chamberlain in a pre- Carry on role, and a few bit role actors

There was many moments of mirth, my wife, who had never see a Norman Wisdom film until this week, was in stitches, its worth a star just to see her laughing.

Lacks a certain something

[Leofwine_draca · 5/10 · 8 October 2021]

A pretty average vehicle for Wisdom. The story about betting on a horse race and winning a fortune doesn't really seem to go anywhere so the resultant narrative feels episodic at best, a little tedious at worst. Our star certainly makes plenty of effort and it's as nice as ever to see the likes of Margaret Rutherford co-starring, but this one just lacks a certain magic.

A great piece of enjoyment!

[Hassard1994 · 22 December 2007]

I have to say that, when i put in the DVD, i wasn't expecting the level of enjoyment that i got out of this 90 minute film, i was expecting a decent film with a few boring bits (like most films have) but, this film had none, okay, maybe a minute or two but that's it, the rest was very enjoyable, i'd like to give praise to the writers who some hoe spread 6 races around 90 minutes and still make it very enjoyable to watch!

The story it'self is about Norman, who wants to buy a nice necklace for his girlfriend Anne, but calculated that it would like him 114 years to save up for it! So he decides to make an accumulators bets on Eddie Diamond, and if he wins all 6 races, Norman will get a substantial amount of money, way more than he needs to buy that bracelet!

In the end, he gets his £32,000, plus the bracelet he wanted, leaving Norman, His Future Wife happy but his mum wasn't happy with Norman betting because she feared he'd turn out like his Dad who left them when Norman was only young, but guess who returns in the end, that's right, Norman's father (Who Norman plays himself!) and that leaves everyone happy in the end.

So overall, a charming film that i'm sure you'll enjoy, their were a few comic moments as always, i didn't laugh as much as i normally do but the very good plot helped that a great deal so that's why i give this....

8/10!

The laughs accumulate as Norman takes on the Bookies.......

[ianlouisiana · 7/10 · 4 March 2018]

Having perfected his schtick on the Variety Halls and TV Mr Wisdom's natural progression was into low - budget films for a few years before becoming the biggest name in English Comedy for a brief candle. Like many comedians of the time he didn't tell jokes,even in his stage act . He did character comedy. His persona was the just about functioning idiot;but an idiot with a kind heart. The sort who would show an old lady across the road whether she wanted to go there or not. He sang,he played the drums,he was light on his feet,small and vulnerable. He was - in a word - cute.....and yet....... Somewhere in him lurked a devil that sometimes took control so that just when you thought you knew where he was going he took off on a wild tangent. Like breaking into the Holiday Money jar to get a pound to put on a horse - a most un-Norman like act. As was always the case,a pretty girl was behind it all. A window - dresser from the shop opposite the jewellers where Norman worked. In his desire to buy her a pendant he discovers that it is possible to win a lot of money using the Accumulator system in Horse Racing. He doesn't grasp till rather late on that you can lose all your stake and winnings unless all your horses win. Will Norman beat the odds and get the money and the girl? Support from the likes of Bill Fraser,Sam Kydd and Edward Chapman at work and Marjorie Rhodes and Joan Sims at home means that it is fun to stay and find out. Not a film for sophisticates,"Just my luck" filled the cinemas with ordinary people who - back in 1957 - where still in need of a belly - laugh rather than wasting five minutes trying to work out what some Oxbridge prat was going on about.

kind of goes all over, but not bad!

[ksf-2 · 7/10 · 21 September 2021]

Margaret Ruthorford week on TCM! Norman ( Norm Wisdom) works in a jewelry store, but still lives with his mother. And is falling for the gal who works across the street (Jill Dixon). Norman has a plan to get rich quick, so he can buy jewelry for his lady friend. Directed by John Carstairs. The movie itself is fun, but that scene in the movie theater just goes on way too long. Were they short on story? It gets a bit three-stooges-ish. But Wisdom has been compared to charlie chaplin, so i guess the slapstick humor is to be expected. We finally meet Rutherford about an hour in... she's the eccentric owner of a racehorse, who may or may not help Norman. It's pretty good; has some similarities to the recent Just My Luck, made in 2006. Story by Peter Cusick, Al Shaughnessy. Wisdom had won a BAFTA in 1954. Rutherford had won for VIPs. Carstairs, Wisdom, and Rutherford made three films together over the years.

Slightly below par for early Norman Wisdom.

[Maverick1962 · 6/10 · 5 September 2016]

I grew up going to see Norman Wisdom films but can only remember seeing some for sure, it was so long ago, so have been able to catch up on Youtube with those I am not so sure about seeing. 'Just My Luck' is one I have just watched and do not remember so I can review as new. I still find his films very watchable and the early ones in particular had some hilarious moments. In this film he plays the role slightly less madcap than in previous films, although the character is basically the same, same too tight suit, like Chaplin, but his personality is perhaps not quite as dim as before. Being a little more intelligent he is able to put money on a accumulator on the horses and work out the winnings for example. The gags are less frantic than in earlier films and perhaps not as funny but I still found the film very watchable, with some good back up from established comedy stars in their early pre-star period like the great Joan Sims and Leslie Phillips. No songs either in this but Jill Dixon makes a pleasant love interest in place of Lana Morris from earlier pics. Margaret Rutherford as always is dotty as can be with her pet chimpanzee in the bath. Well worth a look if like me you can't resist Norman.

Wow---get a look at the very divergent reviews--they loved it or hated it!

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 7 June 2009]

First, a word of caution. As an American, I am not familiar with Norman Wisdom. I know that he's a bit of a British institution and he was beloved behind the old Iron Curtain, but his movies and television programs were not popular here in the States--in fact, he's almost completely unknown. Because of this, I don't have the sentimental attachment to him or his work. What went over well years ago does not necessarily translate well to today--at least if you aren't already a fan. I just saw TROUBLE IN STORE and didn't particularly like it. However, I am a glutton for punishment so I decided to try his films one more time.

However, before the film began, I read through the reviews on IMDb. Unlike the universally positive ones for TROUBLE IN STORE, the reviews for JUST MY LUCK seemed strangely divergent. Either they loved the film or they disliked it strongly--with not much opinion in between. That's pretty interesting but also didn't help me decide whether or not to watch the film.

Well, my initial instincts were unfortunately correct. I didn't particularly like the film, as JUST MY LUCK seemed an awful lot like a Jerry Lewis film--with broad humor and comic bits that were overdone--with every last bit of comedy squeezed dry from the skits. For example, the movie theater scene is just dreadful--going so far overboard with its timing and pace.

My advice is that if you are British or Albanian or Russian, by all means see and enjoy this film. Otherwise, it might just be tough to take for more than about 30 minutes. And, no, this is NOT like Mr. Bean in any way, despite another review to the contrary. Mr. Bean is funny (especially the original TV show).

Before Mr. Bean there was Norman.....

[Oblio · 8/10 · 10 January 1999]

I caught this movie on TV on night many years ago, and I still remember laughing so hard I had a stomach ache! Norman Wisdom is one of the funniest men in film. Just the eclair eating scene alone is worth renting this or catching it on the late, late show one night. If you see it, don't miss it. You will go to bed giggling!

unfunny and seriously a waste of your time

[davyd-02237 · 1/10 · 14 December 2019]

Until the late appearance of Margaret Rutherford this film is tedious beyond measure, especially for grown adults. It has to do with an accumulator on horses but the gags aren't funny as Norman goes about some of his routines. The best gag comes from Margaret Rutherford, so if you do watch it-look out for the "photo album". Seriously, for adults this is simply DONT bother

Another winner!

[Welly-2 · 8/10 · 2 August 1999]

Norman is on top form with this splendid tale of the turf. Dreaming of the shop girl he sees each day, Norman borrows a pound from his Mum and backs a six horse accumulator. Against the odds, each horse keeps winning and an increasingly excited Norman dreams of riches. There are delightful cameos from Leslie Phillips and Margaret Rutherford (bathing a chimp!?) and see if you can spot the uncredited Stringer Davis. This is one of Normans best films simply because it has all of the ingredients. The scenes when he is 'drunk' on chloroform gas are priceless.

Just My Luck

[studioAT · 4/10 · 23 August 2020]

While not one of Norman Wisdom's best films, this outing, in which the lovable bungler bets on the horses trying to win big, is enjoyable enough.

It perhaps does go on a bit longer than it should, ending a bit abruptly too, but all in all the charm of Wisdom makes this a lot of fun to watch.

luck of the draw

[lee_eisenberg · 20 August 2011]

I first learned of Norman Wisdom -- who died last year -- a few years ago when I watched some of his movies dubbed in Russian. I could have turned the sound off and they still would have been funny as hell.

I didn't like "Just My Luck" quite as much as "Up in the World" or "A Stitch in Time", but I certainly laughed throughout it. Wisdom returns as Norman, the inept but goodhearted underdog. In this case, he works in a jewelry workshop and wants to be in a relationship with the shop window dresser across the street, and decides to give her a diamond necklace. So, he takes up gambling on horse races.

I didn't really understand any of the stuff about the races. It was just a pleasure to watch the guy get himself into a series of embarrassing situations, including one that probably gave millions of boys their first carnal experience.

Wisdom's movies are really popular in Albania. Enver Hoxha, who was president of Albania from 1945 to 1985, interpreted them as proletarian parables and so he widely distributed them throughout Albania. The Albanian people found them just plain funny. I couldn't agree with them more.

JUST MY LUCK (John Paddy Carstairs, 1957) *1/2

[Bunuel1976 · 3/10 · 25 August 2006]

The poorest Wisdom vehicle I've seen so far, despite being the only one with no pauses for song and even features the star in a dual role: Norman is a jeweller's assistant who, in order to buy a gift for his sweetheart, tries his hand at gambling on horse-races; his winnings keep piling up and the book-makers decide to outwit him and run off with the money themselves!

While the plot had possibilities, there is very little going on here and none of it is terribly funny - despite the support of Edward Chapman (the first of 5 collaborations with Wisdom) and cameos by Margaret Rutherford (playing a dotty millionairess with a passion for animals) and Jerry Desmonde (his unbilled split-second appearance, though, is more of an in-joke than anything else)!

Old fashioned silly English comedy

[Buskieboy · 9/10 · 30 August 2005]

Sady I haven't seen this or any other Norman Wisdom movies on TV for a really long time. Which is funny because when I was a teen, you could count on CFTO channel 9 showing one on the late late movie! I guess the rights are somehow expired or something. It's a shame it's not on TV so everyone can get a belly laugh. Sure, Norman plays the fool, but a lovable silly nutter, you can't help but like. He is an olden day "Mr. Bean" and is hilarious. One scene worth watching for is,

********SPOILER!!! BEWARE THERE BE A SPOILER PAST HERE!!!***********

when Norman tries to tempt the favorite horse's jockey into over eating before the race in order to add some weight to him is priceless. Norman proceeds to drive the obviously starving jockey mad by eating a plate full of éclairs in front of him. Trust me, you'll p*ss yourself!! If you ever get lucky enough to find this, (or any other Norman Wisdom film) showing on the late, late show, curl up on the couch with a nice bev and some munchies and enjoy a simple, fun and old fashioned comedy!

Strictly for Wisdom fans

[LIND77777-1 · 5/10 · 3 January 2022]

We are starved for British comedies of this era. We love movies with Ian Carmichael, Terry-Thomas, of course Peter Sellers & Alec Guinness, and way up on our list, Margaret Rutherford.

Which brings us to why we watched this movie--she got second billing. Had never seen Norman Wisdom, but he's well-known, so why not give it a chance? Plus, we are big horse racing fans, & that's the main subject.

Sad to say, we were highly disappointed. No captioning for the film, so we struggled to understand some of Wisdom's Cockney dialogue.

A couple of the stock characters were mildly amusing: the battle-axe mother, also the battle-axe-in-training girlfriend.

Happy finally to see the wonderful Margaret Rutherford, but much too little & too late in the movie.

Mainly saw a succession of pratfalls and low comedy, very little Brit-wit.

The first & last time we'll watch Norman Wisdom--save him for the music halls.

Wisdom fans will love it!

[JohnHowardReid · 8/10 · 4 March 2018]

Copyright 1957 by Rank Film Productions. Never theatrically released in the United States but available to television stations through United Artists. U.K. release through Rank Film Distributors: 29 December 1957. Australian release through British Empire Films: 22 January 1959 (sic). 7,756 feet. 86 minutes. SYNOPSIS: Mother-pecked jewel craftsman stands to win a fortune from the bookies if a certain jockey can win six races in a row.

COMMENT: This is a very funny effort from Wisdom. Assisted by a great cast including such veterans as Margaret Rutherford, Marjorie Rhodes and Edward Chapman, plus a charming newcomer in the person of Jill Dixon, Wisdom manages to wring laughs from what seems on paper rather weak and even unpromising material. The running encounters with Cyril Chamberlain's officious gatekeeper, for example, don't seem to hold much in the way of original comedy, but Wisdom and his writers pull off some rather neat tricks.

The surprising ease with which Wisdom vaults the gate (a stunt he performs himself) is capped when he is forced to repeat it by an oncoming policeman. The final melee at the gate (in which an uncredited Andrea Malandrinos takes part, as a Greek of course) not only allows Wisdom to do some of his language turns, but to ring yet another amusing surprise on both the audience (who are not expecting this encounter to get so out of hand) and the dictatorial but not over-bright examiner.

Yes, the script is full of humorous twists which not only allow Wisdom's comic talents full rein (his fade-out impersonation of his own fast-talking father is a gem), but draw on the special abilities of the rest of the players as well. Thus Leslie Phillips has just the sort of smooth-talking but inept con-man role with which we immediately typecast him, Marjorie Rhodes is the domineering mum, Delphi Lawrence the good-hearted vamp, Edward Chapman the office tyrant, Margaret Rutherford a wealthy but dotty eccentric, Sam Kydd a browbeaten fellow-worker, Michael Ward a smarmy shop assistant, and so on.

The movie is ineptly photographed by Jack Cox, a specialist in unattractively flat, grayish lighting. On this occasion he throws ugly black shadows all over the place as well and even uses a medium two-shot with Wisdom and Chapman in which the latter actor is unintentionally out of focus. Fortunately, other credits led by the deft direction of John Paddy Carstairs, are far more competent.

So-so Wisdom fans with a very thin plot and a real inability to make good use of the impressive (on paper) cast

[bob the moo · 17 August 2005]

Norman works in a jewellers where he polishes, melts, delivers, run errands and generally is put upon by Mr Stoneway and his colleagues. His only real dream in live is to get to know the girl who works as a window dresser in the store opposite his work place. The best way he can think of doing this is to try and save up to buy the prettiest pendant in the shop to give to her but on his salary it will take him several hundred years to manage to get the money together – by which time it is likely that both he and the girl will both be dead. When he learns about betting and just how easy it is to win loads of money with a simple accumulator bet he decides to play the gee-gees to get the money.

Although the subject of a compulsive gambling streak is perhaps not the greatest subject for comedy but this is not the problem with this film for most viewers. Instead it will be just how basic the plot is – even by Norman Wisdom standards this is a very thin frame indeed. The gambling idea is stretched thin to provide comedic scenarios that sometimes don't even fit into the story at all without a massive cinematic shoehorn. Of course fans of Wisdom won't mind this too much as the basic aim is the usual "getting the unobtainable girl" stuff. The usual stumbling slapstick is all there and, although it has dated and is unlikely to appeal to younger viewers, is still enjoyable to fans of the period and of Wisdom. The lack of a decent plot is perhaps a bigger problem than with his better films but fans will still forgive it more or less.

The cast are a disappointment. Wisdom isn't brilliant but his usual stuff is all up there on the screen – if you like him you'll like it, if not you won't. It is the support cast where the potential is missed though, which is a shame because there are so many good faces in there. Sims has little to do and is roundly wasted. Philips may be most famous for doing the one type of role but there is a reason for that and it is notable that he plays it straight here and therefore is quite dull. Rutherford has a cameo that is amusing and overplayed but her eccentric turn is welcome to produce a bit of lively energy. Chapman is a welcome familiar face to Wisdom fans but he doesn't have much to do. Dixon is about as bland as you can get but this is no surprise considering the role she plays within the formula. Although there are a few good performances, the cast certainly do not get anywhere near what you would expect from this list of names.

Overall this is an average Wisdom film that will please his fans but even they will acknowledge that this is not one of his better films The plot is about as thin as it could have been and the comedy is really forced into it but is still quite pleasing and amusing (although rarely funny). These problems I could live with but the film's inability to use a comparatively stellar cast is a real let down.