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7.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Strike Me Lucky remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Look, Strike Me Lucky is basically a filmed stage act. If you have a soft spot for 1930s vaudeville or want to see the literal roots of Australian comedy, you’ll probably find something to grin at here. If you need a plot that actually moves, or if you get twitchy watching low-budget black-and-white stuff that hasn't aged perfectly, you will absolutely hate it. 🫠
Roy Rene—or 'Mo' to everyone who knows his act—is the whole engine of this thing. He’s got this weirdly painted-on face and a voice that sounds like a kazoo being dragged over gravel. It’s hypnotic, honestly.
There’s a moment about halfway through where the pacing just... dies. It turns into a musical revue for no apparent reason, and you can practically hear the director shrugging behind the camera. It reminded me a bit of the awkward transitions in Honeymoon Lane, where the story takes a backseat to whoever was under contract that week.
The film doesn't really try to be a 'movie' in the way we think of it now. It’s more like someone just pointed a camera at a stage and hoped for the best. It’s clunky, sure. But there’s a raw, unpolished grit to it that you just don't get in modern, super-sanitized comedies.
I found myself zoning out during the 'plot' segments and then leaning back in whenever Mo started improvising. You can tell when he's going off-script because everyone else on screen looks terrified. It’s genuinely funny stuff.
It’s not a masterpiece. It’s barely a coherent film. But for a quick hit of 1934, it’s a weird, dusty little gem. Just don't go in expecting What Price Hollywood levels of polish, because this is definitely not that. It's much messier, and honestly, a bit more human for it. 🎩
