Lucky Star (1929)

Frank Borzage's tender 1929 romance unites Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell in a moving story of love, war, and the human spirit.

Lucky Star - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Lucky Star
  • Release Year: 1929
  • Directed by: Frank Borzage
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Romance, Drama
  • Age Rating (US): NR
  • Runtime: 1h 39m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: No Language
  • Release Date (Theatrical): August 18, 1929 (United States - NR), March 7, 1930 (France), February 3, 1930 (Australia), January 18, 1930 (Italy), December 6, 1929 (Spain)
  • Alternative Titles: Estrellas dichosas (ES)
  • Production Companies: Fox Film Corporation
  • Production Countries: United States of America

Lucky Star - Plot

Mary, a poor farm girl, meets Tim just as word comes that war has been declared. Tim enlists in the army and goes to the battlefields of Europe, where he is wounded and loses the use of his legs. Home again, Tim is visited by Mary, and they are powerfully attracted to each other; but his physical handicap prevents him from declaring his love for her. Deeper complications set in when Martin, Tim's former sergeant and a bully, takes a shine to Mary.

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Lucky Star - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Frank Borzage

Main Cast

  • Janet Gaynor
  • Charles Farrell
  • Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams
  • Paul Fix
  • Hedwiga Reicher
  • Gloria Grey
  • Hector V. Sarno
  • Jack Pennick
  • Delmar Watson

Writers

  • Sonya Levien
  • Katherine Hilliker
  • H.H. Caldwell

Producers

  • William Fox

Lucky Star - FAQs

What is Lucky Star about?

Lucky Star follows Mary, a poor farm girl, and Tim, a young man who enlists in WWI and returns home paralyzed from a battlefield wound. Despite his disability, a deep love grows between them — complicated by Tim's brutish former sergeant, who also pursues Mary. It's a tender, heartfelt story of love and resilience.

Who are the main actors in Lucky Star?

The film stars Janet Gaynor as Mary Tucker and Charles Farrell as Timothy Osborn — one of Hollywood's most beloved on-screen couples of the late silent and early sound era. Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams plays the menacing Martin Wrenn, with Paul Fix, Hedwiga Reicher, and Gloria Grey rounding out the cast.

Was Lucky Star a silent film or a talkie?

Lucky Star was released in 1929 during Hollywood's transition from silent films to sound. It was produced in both a silent version and a part-talkie version, making it a fascinating artifact of that pivotal era. The film showcases Borzage's mastery of visual storytelling even as the industry was rapidly changing.

Who directed Lucky Star?

Frank Borzage directed Lucky Star. Borzage was one of Hollywood's most celebrated romantic directors of the era, having already won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Director for Seventh Heaven (1927). His signature style — lyrical, deeply emotional, and visually poetic — is very much on display throughout this film.

Where can I watch Lucky Star?

You can stream Lucky Star for free on Tubi TV and JustWatch TV, both of which offer the film with ads. It's also available on Mometu with ads. These platforms make it easy to enjoy this classic 1929 romance without any subscription required.

Is Lucky Star connected to Seventh Heaven and Street Angel?

Lucky Star isn't a direct sequel, but it reunites the beloved pairing of Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, who had captivated audiences in Seventh Heaven (1927) and Street Angel (1928). The film's own tagline boldly declared it the only picture great enough to make audiences forget those two earlier classics.

When was Lucky Star released?

Lucky Star premiered in the United States on August 18, 1929. It subsequently opened in Spain in December 1929, followed by Australia in February 1930, Italy in January 1930, and France in March 1930, giving the film a broad international release across several months.

What are similar films to Lucky Star?

If you enjoy Lucky Star, you might love A Farewell to Arms (1932), Hell's Angels (1930), and Inside the Lines (1930) for their WWI-era drama. For similar romantic classics, Platinum Blonde (1931) and Madame X (1929) are great picks. Zelary (2003) and Under the Hawthorn Tree (2010) offer more modern takes on wartime romance.

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