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| country = United States | country = United States
| language = English | language = English
| gross = $2.5 million (US rentals)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/variety153-1944-01|title=Variety (January 1944)|date=February 10, 1944|publisher=New York, NY: Variety Publishing Company|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> | gross = $2.5 million (U.S. rentals)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/variety153-1944-01|title=Variety (January 1944)|date=February 10, 1944|publisher=New York, NY: Variety Publishing Company|via=Internet Archive}}</ref>
}} }}


'''''A Lady Takes a Chance''''' is a 1943 American ] directed by ] and starring ] and ]. Written by ] and based on a story by Jo Swerling, the film is about a New York working girl who travels to the American West on a bus tour and meets and falls in love with a handsome rodeo cowboy. The film was produced for ] by ], who was Arthur's husband at the time.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite web|title=A Lady Takes a Chance (1943) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/28075/A-Lady-Takes-a-Chance/overview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113061346/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/28075/A-Lady-Takes-a-Chance/overview |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=] |author=Hal Erickson |author-link=Hal Erickson (author) |date=2013 |access-date=October 21, 2013}}</ref> The supporting cast features flamboyant comedian ], ] (without his stentorian ] voice), ], and ]. '''''A Lady Takes a Chance''''' is a 1943 American ] directed by ] and starring ] and ]. Written by ] and based on a story by Jo Swerling, the film is about a New York working girl who travels to the American West on a bus tour and meets and falls in love with a handsome rodeo cowboy. The film was produced for ] by ], who was Arthur's husband at the time.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite web|title=A Lady Takes a Chance (1943) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/28075/A-Lady-Takes-a-Chance/overview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113061346/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/28075/A-Lady-Takes-a-Chance/overview |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=] |author=Hal Erickson |author-link=Hal Erickson (author) |date=2013 |access-date=October 21, 2013}}</ref> The supporting cast features ], ], ] and ].


==Plot== ==Plot==
⚫ Three of her suitors protest when Molly J. Truesdale, on a whim, boards a bus from New York City to discover the American West. Molly attends a rodeo, where a bucking bronco tosses rider Duke Hudkins right into her lap. Duke buys her a beer and Molly brings him luck while gambling, but his friend Waco warns her that Duke is not right for her. Whenever Duke warms to her charms, Molly panics and shies away. Duke escorts Molly to various places and events until she learns that her tour bus has left without her. Her pride will not permit Duke and Waco to help her, so she plans to hitchhike, but in the dead of night she meekly accepts a ride to the next bus depot from Duke and Waco.
Three of her suitors protest when Molly J. Truesdale, on a whim, boards a bus in New York City to find out what life in the American West is like.


⚫ The three camp outdoors overnight. The cowboys are comfortable but Molly is not, so she takes a horse blanket from Duke's horse Sammy. The next day, Duke is incensed when Sammy catches pneumonia. Molly makes one last-ditch attempt to snare Duke by preparing an elegant dinner, but Duke is reluctant. He insists that he will not sacrifice his freedom for love. Molly feels defeated and returns to New York and her waiting suitors, who are astounded when Duke suddenly appears to claim Molly. They take the same tour bus back to the West.
⚫ Molly goes to a rodeo, where a bucking bronco tosses rider Duke Hudkins right into her lap. Duke buys her a beer afterward and then Molly brings him luck while gambling, but his saddle pal Waco warns her that Duke is not the right guy for her. Whenever Duke warms to her charms, Molly panics and shies away. Duke escorts Molly to various places and events until she learns that her tour bus has left without her. Her pride will not permit Duke and Waco to help her so she decides to hitchhike, but in the dead of night she meekly accepts a ride to the next bus depot -- from Duke and Waco.

⚫ The threesome camps outdoors overnight. The cowboys are comfortable but Molly isn't, so she takes a horse blanket from Duke's horse Sammy. The next day, Duke is incensed when Sammy catches pneumonia. Molly makes one last-ditch attempt to snare Duke by preparing an elegant dinner for two, but steak-and-potatoes Duke is reluctant. Finally he himself panics and insists that he will not be tied down. Giving up, Molly goes home to New York and her waiting suitors, who are astounded when a tall cowboy suddenly shows up and carries Molly away. They take the same tour bus back out west.

⚫ ==Reception==
Director ] was noted for his charming comedies that were moderately paced and kept the laughs coming quietly, rather than resorting to joke-laden dialogue and slapstick. His handling of ''A Lady Takes a Chance'' was entirely in keeping, which some critics praised and others took for slowness. ''Film Daily'' loved the film: "Smart, clever romantic comedy should prove a boxoffice wow. Every moment of it is vastly entertaining and amusing beyond the ordinary. John Wayne turns in a far better job than one would have expected of him. One wouldn't be going overboard in saying it was his best work yet... has brought out the fine qualities of the script masterfully. He has truly made ''A Lady Takes a Chance'' delicious entertainment."<ref>''Film Daily'', Aug. 19, 1943, p. 6.</ref> Red Kann in ''Motion Picture Daily'' concurred: "If this is not on the riot side, it makes an unchallenged substitute. That's how delicious a comedy ''A Lady Takes a Chance'' proves itself to be... On the side of performance, far and away of course is Miss Arthur. If your reviewer knew a better word for excellent, he'd use it. John Wayne has never done a better job within this knowledge... No question whatever about this one. RKO has a hit on its hands."<ref>Red Kann, ''Motion Picture Daily'', Aug. 17, 1943, p. 2.</ref> ''The Exhibitor'' conceded that the film was "pleasant entertainment" but offered a mild dissent: "This lacks substance and doesn't quite come off. Arthur can't do much with what she has been given to work with, and while there are some funny sequences, this has stretches where the laughs aren't forthcoming."<ref>''The Exhibitor'', Aug. 25, 1943, p. 6.</ref> ''The independent Film Bulletin'' wrote in the same vein: "Perhaps a more supple and subtle leading man would have helped. Or perhaps, it is too obvious that the makers were straining to produce another '']''. At any rate, ''A Lady Takes a Chance'' turns out to be only a moderately successful romantic comedy, despite some gay situations and another sparkling performance by lovely Jean Arthur... Because the public is buying 'escapist' entertainment and Jean Arthur has an established following, ''Lady Takes a Chance'' should draw good grosses in most locations. Wayne's name will help in the action spots."<ref>''The Independent Film Bulletin'', Aug. 23, 1943, p. 25.</ref>

⚫ The boxoffice predictions proved to be correct. The film brought in $2,500,000, earning a profit of $582,000.<ref name="uni">Richard B. Jewell, ''Slow Fade to Black: The Decline of RKO Radio Pictures'', University of California, 2016.</ref>


==Cast== ==Cast==
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* ] as Gambling Boss * ] as Gambling Boss
* ] as Beggar Woman (uncredited)<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yw9eCgAAQBAJ&q=%22dorcas+mckim%22&pg=PA185|title=The John Wayne Filmography|first=Fred|last=Landesman|date=August 13, 2015|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9781476609225|via=Google Books}}</ref> * ] as Beggar Woman (uncredited)<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yw9eCgAAQBAJ&q=%22dorcas+mckim%22&pg=PA185|title=The John Wayne Filmography|first=Fred|last=Landesman|date=August 13, 2015|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9781476609225|via=Google Books}}</ref>

⚫ ==Reception==
In a contemporary review for '']'', critic ] remarked that screenwriter Robert Ardrey "managed to brighten up an old formula until it looks almost brand new" and wrote: "If 'A Lady Takes a Chance' I is quite continuously amusing, it is largely because of Miss Arthur's pert little ways, her prim hesitations at the wrong times, her uncloying coyness. Quite gradually she has become one of Hollywood's delightful comediennes. Mr. Wayne, with his muscles and slow drawl, makes a sturdy partner in this romantic duet. ... Put down 'A Lady Takes a Chance' as a plain, ordinary good time—which is what it sets out to be. What more can you ask?"<ref name="nytreview">{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Theodore |date=1943-09-16 |title=The Screen: At the Paramount |work=] |page=25}}</ref>

'']''<nowiki/>'s review was positive: "Smart, clever romantic comedy should prove a box-office wow. Every moment of it is vastly entertaining and amusing beyond the ordinary. John Wayne turns in a far better job than one would have expected of him. One wouldn't be going overboard in saying it was his best work yet ... has brought out the fine qualities of the script masterfully. He has truly made ''A Lady Takes a Chance'' delicious entertainment."<ref>''Film Daily'', Aug. 19, 1943, p. 6.</ref>

Red Kann of '']'' wrote: "If this is not on the riot side, it makes an unchallenged substitute. That's how delicious a comedy ''A Lady Takes a Chance'' proves itself to be ... On the side of performance, far and away of course is Miss Arthur. If your reviewer knew a better word for excellent, he'd use it. John Wayne has never done a better job within this knowledge ... No question whatever about this one. RKO has a hit on its hands."<ref>Red Kann, ''Motion Picture Daily'', Aug. 17, 1943, p. 2.</ref>

⚫ The film accrued $2,500,000 at the box office, earning a profit of $582,000.<ref name="uni">Richard B. Jewell, ''Slow Fade to Black: The Decline of RKO Radio Pictures'', University of California, 2016.</ref>


==References== ==References==
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] ]
]

Latest revision as of 16:48, 15 September 2024

1943 film

A Lady Takes a Chance
Theatrical release poster
Directed byWilliam A. Seiter
Screenplay byRobert Ardrey
Story byJo Swerling
Produced byFrank Ross
Starring
CinematographyFrank Redman
Edited byTheron Warth
Music byRoy Webb
Production
company		Frank Ross Productions
Distributed byRKO Radio Pictures
Release date
  • September 15, 1943 (1943-09-15)
Running time86 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$2.5 million (U.S. rentals)

A Lady Takes a Chance is a 1943 American romantic comedy film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Jean Arthur and John Wayne. Written by Robert Ardrey and based on a story by Jo Swerling, the film is about a New York working girl who travels to the American West on a bus tour and meets and falls in love with a handsome rodeo cowboy. The film was produced for RKO Radio Pictures by Frank Ross, who was Arthur's husband at the time. The supporting cast features Phil Silvers, Hans Conried, Charles Winninger and Mary Field.

Plot

Three of her suitors protest when Molly J. Truesdale, on a whim, boards a bus from New York City to discover the American West. Molly attends a rodeo, where a bucking bronco tosses rider Duke Hudkins right into her lap. Duke buys her a beer and Molly brings him luck while gambling, but his friend Waco warns her that Duke is not right for her. Whenever Duke warms to her charms, Molly panics and shies away. Duke escorts Molly to various places and events until she learns that her tour bus has left without her. Her pride will not permit Duke and Waco to help her, so she plans to hitchhike, but in the dead of night she meekly accepts a ride to the next bus depot from Duke and Waco.

The three camp outdoors overnight. The cowboys are comfortable but Molly is not, so she takes a horse blanket from Duke's horse Sammy. The next day, Duke is incensed when Sammy catches pneumonia. Molly makes one last-ditch attempt to snare Duke by preparing an elegant dinner, but Duke is reluctant. He insists that he will not sacrifice his freedom for love. Molly feels defeated and returns to New York and her waiting suitors, who are astounded when Duke suddenly appears to claim Molly. They take the same tour bus back to the West.

Cast

John Wayne and Jean Arthur in A Lady Takes a Chance

Reception

In a contemporary review for The New York Times, critic Theodore Strauss remarked that screenwriter Robert Ardrey "managed to brighten up an old formula until it looks almost brand new" and wrote: "If 'A Lady Takes a Chance' I is quite continuously amusing, it is largely because of Miss Arthur's pert little ways, her prim hesitations at the wrong times, her uncloying coyness. Quite gradually she has become one of Hollywood's delightful comediennes. Mr. Wayne, with his muscles and slow drawl, makes a sturdy partner in this romantic duet. ... Put down 'A Lady Takes a Chance' as a plain, ordinary good time—which is what it sets out to be. What more can you ask?"

The Film Daily's review was positive: "Smart, clever romantic comedy should prove a box-office wow. Every moment of it is vastly entertaining and amusing beyond the ordinary. John Wayne turns in a far better job than one would have expected of him. One wouldn't be going overboard in saying it was his best work yet ... has brought out the fine qualities of the script masterfully. He has truly made A Lady Takes a Chance delicious entertainment."

Red Kann of Motion Picture Daily wrote: "If this is not on the riot side, it makes an unchallenged substitute. That's how delicious a comedy A Lady Takes a Chance proves itself to be ... On the side of performance, far and away of course is Miss Arthur. If your reviewer knew a better word for excellent, he'd use it. John Wayne has never done a better job within this knowledge ... No question whatever about this one. RKO has a hit on its hands."

The film accrued $2,500,000 at the box office, earning a profit of $582,000.

References

  1. "A Lady Takes a Chance: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  2. "Variety (January 1944)". New York, NY: Variety Publishing Company. February 10, 1944 – via Internet Archive.
  3. Hal Erickson (2013). "A Lady Takes a Chance (1943)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  4. Landesman, Fred (August 13, 2015). The John Wayne Filmography. McFarland. ISBN 9781476609225 – via Google Books.
  5. Strauss, Theodore (September 16, 1943). "The Screen: At the Paramount". The New York Times. p. 25.
  6. Film Daily, Aug. 19, 1943, p. 6.
  7. Red Kann, Motion Picture Daily, Aug. 17, 1943, p. 2.
  8. Richard B. Jewell, Slow Fade to Black: The Decline of RKO Radio Pictures, University of California, 2016.

External links

Films directed by William A. Seiter
Categories: