Good Luck - Best Wishes Review: A Weirdly Relatable 1930s Cheapskate Comedy

Is it worth your time?

If you've got twenty minutes and a soft spot for 1930s radio singers, give this a look. It is perfect for people who love seeing how old Hollywood handled sitcom tropes before sitcoms were even a thing. If you hate theatrical acting or people breaking into song every five minutes, you will probably want to skip this one entirely.

It’s a weird little relic from 1934. I found myself thinking about how much people still complain about the cost of weddings today. 💸

The whole plot is basically two dads being total cheapskates. Robert Middlemass and the other dad are business partners, and their kids, Solly and Jane, are head over heels. Instead of just saying "hey, we're broke," the dads decide to stage this massive, fake argument. They figure if they pretend to be enemies, the kids will elope to be together. It’s actually kind of a genius move if you’re a terrible parent.

Solly Ward is the lead here. He has this very specific 1930s energy that feels a bit like he’s trying too hard to be charming. It's not bad, just... a lot. Jane Pickens is the real draw, though. Her voice is incredible, and when she gets together with the rest of the Pickens Sisters, the harmonies are so tight it’s almost spooky.

The music is handled by Ferde Grofé. You might know him from much bigger stuff, but here he’s just keeping things moving. The songs aren't exactly earworms, but they fill the space. 🎶

One thing I noticed was how the camera just sits there. It’s like the director was afraid to move it more than a few inches. It makes the whole thing feel like you're watching a play from the third row. That’s not always a bad thing, but it does make the "complications" feel a bit stiff.

The scene where the dads start their fake fight is unintentionally hilarious. They are shouting and waving their arms like they're in a silent movie, even though this has sound. You can tell they’re having fun with the over-acting. It reminded me a little bit of the frantic energy in Whispering Whiskers, though that one is way more chaotic.

I wish we got to see more of the actual elopement. The movie spends so much time on the setup that the ending feels like it just happens because they ran out of film. It's very abrupt. One second they're worried, the next... well, I won't spoil it, but it's fast.

If you’ve seen Jack and Jill or even Her Golden Calf, you know the vibe of these early musical shorts. They aren't trying to change the world. They just want to show off some talent and tell a goofy joke. This one does that okay, I guess.

There's a moment where Jane looks at Solly that feels genuinely sweet. For a second, you forget the dads are in the other room being weirdos. It’s a small bit of real emotion in a movie that is mostly just fluff.

I did find myself wondering why Solly’s father was so on board with the plan. Usually, in these movies, one parent is the "sane" one. Not here. They are both equally committed to the bit. It's a little refreshing to see two dads working together to be equally cheap.

Is it as good as something like Ladies of Leisure? Not even close. But that’s a full feature and this is just a quick snack of a movie. 🍿

The print I saw was a bit grainy, which actually added to the charm. You can see the makeup on the actors' faces. It feels human in a way modern stuff doesn't always manage. Even the mistakes, like a slightly missed cue, make it feel more alive.

One reaction shot of the Pickens Sisters lingers just a tad too long. It’s that awkward silence I mentioned where you're waiting for the next line and it takes a beat too many. It made me chuckle.

Overall, it’s a decent way to kill twenty minutes. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s got heart and some great singing. 🎤

It’s the kind of thing you watch when you’re tired and just want something light. If you’re looking for high drama like Romance of a Rogue, look elsewhere. This is just pure, 1930s silliness.

Also, the hats. The hats in this movie are incredible. I don't know how anyone walked through doors with some of those things on their heads.

Good Luck - Best Wishes is a fine title. It feels like a greeting card. The movie itself is basically a greeting card too. Nice to look at, easy to read, and you forget about it five minutes after you put it down. But you're glad you got it anyway.