A Lady Takes a Chance
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| A Lady Takes a Chance | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | William A. Seiter |
| Screenplay by | Robert Ardrey |
| Story by | Jo Swerling |
| Produced by | Frank Ross |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Frank Redman |
| Edited by | Theron Warth |
| Music by | Roy Webb |
Production company | Frank Ross Productions |
| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 86 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $2.5 million (U.S. rentals)[2] |
A Lady Takes a Chance is a 1943 American romantic comedy film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Jean Arthur and John Wayne. Written by Robert Ardrey and based on a story by Jo Swerling, the film is about a New York working girl who travels to the American West on a bus tour and meets and falls in love with a handsome rodeo cowboy. The film was produced for RKO Radio Pictures by Frank Ross, who was Arthur's husband at the time.[3] The supporting cast features Phil Silvers, Hans Conried, Charles Winninger and Mary Field.
Three of her suitors protest when Molly J. Truesdale, on a whim, boards a bus from New York City to discover the American West. Molly attends a rodeo, where a bucking bronco tosses rider Duke Hudkins right into her lap. Duke buys her a beer and Molly brings him luck while gambling, but his friend Waco warns her that Duke is not right for her. Whenever Duke warms to her charms, Molly panics and shies away. Duke escorts Molly to various places and events until she learns that her tour bus has left without her. Her pride prevents her from accepting help from Duke and Waco, so she plans to hitchhike, but in the dead of night she meekly accepts a ride to the next bus depot from them.
The three camp outdoors overnight. The cowboys are comfortable but Molly is not, so she takes a horse blanket from Duke's horse Sammy. The next day, Duke is incensed when Sammy catches pneumonia. Molly makes one last-ditch attempt to snare Duke by preparing an elegant dinner, but Duke is reluctant. He insists that he will not sacrifice his freedom for love. Molly feels defeated and returns to New York and her waiting suitors, who are astounded when Duke suddenly appears to claim her. Together, they take the same tour bus back to the West.
Cast
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- Jean Arthur as Molly J. Truesdale
- John Wayne as Duke Hudkins
- Charles Winninger as Waco
- Phil Silvers as Smiley Lambert, bus tour director
- Mary Field as Florrie Bendix
- Don Costello as Drunk
- John Philliber as Storekeeper
- Grady Sutton as Malcolm Scott, suitor
- Grant Withers as Bob Hastings, suitor
- Hans Conried as Gregg Stone, suitor
- Jean Stevens as "Jitterbug"
- Ariel Heath as Flossie
- Sugar Geise as Linda Belle
- Joan Blair as Lilly
- Tom Fadden as Mullen
- Cy Kendall as Gambling Boss
- Dorcas McKim as Beggar Woman (uncredited)[4]