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Lucky Star

Director: Frank Borzage
Year: 1929
Run-time: 1 hr 30 min
Source: Youtube

Wikipedia

Notable For:  With the same director and stars as Street Angel (Gaynor and Farrell would star in 12 films together), Lucky Star is another film that adheres to Borzage's theme of love inspiring people to improve themselves.  Farrell plays a disabled WWI veteran, and the way that his hometown leaves him to fend for himself in a small cabin is a not-so-subtle message.

Verdict:  Farrell takes a paternalistic role towards Jaynor's farm girl character, and in an early scene he even spanks her after he catches her stealing.  (The history of spanking girls in film is explored in this recent video.)  The start of their relationship is pretty creepy from a modern perspective.  Nevertheless, Borzage is an effective director, and there are still some touching scenes in this one.  Even the hokum ending that involves Farrell overcoming his disability through sheer will.  Overall, I think Street Angel wins out, but it is great to see Gaynor again.  She was an early treasure. 


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