Lucky Thirteen (1938)
A 1938 Polish comedy about superstition, a false lottery win, and the chaos that follows one very unlucky lucky day.
Lucky Thirteen - Movie Information
- Original Title: Szczęśliwa trzynastka
- Release Year: 1938
- Directed by: Marian Czauski
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 1h 9m
- Original Language: Polish
- Spoken Languages: Polish
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 7, 1938 (Poland)
- Alternative Titles: Lucky Thirteen (US), Szczęśliwa 13-ka (PL)
- Production Countries: Poland
Lucky Thirteen - Plot
The main character is a very superstitious man. On the 13th day of the month, after a very bad start to the day, he reads the newspaper and learns that he won the lottery. The unexpected happiness causing him to make a scene at work. Soon it turns out that there was an error in the newspaper and he did not win.....
Lucky Thirteen - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Marian Czauski
Main Cast
- Stanisław Sielański
- Helena Grossówna
- Józef Orwid
- Władysław Grabowski
- Maria Chmurkowska
- Czesław Skonieczny
- Jerzy Kordowski
- Jerzy Marr
- Lucyna Messal
- Jan Ciecierski
Lucky Thirteen - FAQs
What is Lucky Thirteen about?
Lucky Thirteen follows a deeply superstitious man who, on the 13th of the month, reads in the newspaper that he has won the lottery. His euphoria causes chaos at work — until he discovers the paper made an error and he never won at all. It's a sharp, comedic look at hope and humiliation.
Is Lucky Thirteen based on a true story?
Lucky Thirteen is not based on a specific true story. It's an original Polish comedy from 1938 that plays on universal themes of superstition, wishful thinking, and the cruel joke fate can play on those who get their hopes up too soon.
Who directed Lucky Thirteen?
Lucky Thirteen was directed by Marian Czauski, a Polish filmmaker working during the interwar period. The film is a product of Poland's vibrant pre-war cinema scene, which produced a rich variety of comedies, musicals, and dramas throughout the 1930s.
Who are the main actors in Lucky Thirteen?
The film stars Stanisław Sielański as the superstitious Stasiu Koziolek and Helena Grossówna as Hanka Doboszanka. The supporting cast includes Józef Orwid, Władysław Grabowski, and Maria Chmurkowska, among other notable Polish stage and screen performers of the era.
What does the number thirteen mean in the film?
Thirteen is the film's central symbol — a number the protagonist dreads and obsesses over. The irony is that the 13th becomes the day of his supposed windfall, only to betray him completely. The film uses his superstition to drive both the comedy and the story's bittersweet twist.
What happens when the lottery error is revealed?
After the protagonist celebrates his supposed lottery win and causes a scene at work, the truth emerges: the newspaper printed a mistake. His moment of joy collapses into embarrassment, leaving him to face the consequences of his premature celebration — a classic comedic reversal of fortune.
What are some similar films to Lucky Thirteen?
If you enjoy Lucky Thirteen's lottery-gone-wrong premise, you might love It Could Happen to You (1994), Jerry & Marge Go Large (2022), Waking Ned (1998), or Let It Ride (1989). All share that same mix of unexpected fortune, human folly, and comedic consequences that make this genre so enduring.
When and where was Lucky Thirteen released?
Lucky Thirteen premiered in Poland on April 7, 1938. It's a product of interwar Polish cinema, a period of remarkable creative output before World War II dramatically disrupted the country's film industry. The film is also known under the alternative title Szczęśliwa 13-ka.
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