THAT LUCKY TOUCH
UK, 1975, 89 minutes, Colour.
Roger Moore, Susannah York, Shelley Winters, Lee J. Cobb, Jean- Pierre Cassel, Raf Vallone, Sydne Rome, Donald Sinden.
Directed by Christopher Miles.
That Lucky Touch is a minor, fluffy comedy. It has a background of issues about armaments, NATO and war.
Roger Moore is an arms dealer who goes to a conference. Susannah York is a journalist investigating the issues. They initially spar on each other but then fall in love. In the supporting cast is Lee J. Cobb as a lieutenant general and Shelley Winters as his wife.
The film is based on an idea by celebrated screenwriter and playwright, Moss Hart, and the screenplay was written by John Briley, responsible for such films as Cry Freedom and Gandhi as well as Molokai: The Life of Father Damien.
1. Why do audilences like this kind of film? The tradition of light frothy entertainment, romance, old fashioned conventions? Was this a good example?
2. How much flair and style did the film have? Its European settings, the irony of NATO, the picture of society, the satire on socidty and military, the throwaway lines and humour, the character types, the farcical elements, romance?
3. The importance of the structure, the opening and establishment of the main characters, the various intertwinings, the moving towards climax, and expected romantic ending?
4. How attractive were the stars and the way they fitted their roles? As romantic leads? The support of Shelly Winters for comrody? The tone of the credit joke about President Ford?
5. How attractive was Julia? Susannah York's personality and style? Julia as the divorced wife, the journalist with a campaign, anti militarist, her love for her son? Her manoeuvering of the party, the manoeuvering of people for her own ends? Her involvement in the farce of being locked out of her bedroom? Her romance with Michael Scott? How credible was it that she could sabatage the NATO war games? Her giving in at the end? Can audiences identify with her? Is she real? (Does this ratter for the film?)
6. Roger Moore and his personality aa Scott? The credibility of his gun running, his wit, sophistication, his deals, his jogging? His role as a wolf? His participation in the farce of being locked out? In the rain? His involvaent in romance? His reluctance at the games? His change of attitude? Is this type of character credible, does it matter?
7. How telling was the film's anti militaristic tone? The farcical presentation of NATO? General Steedman, the guns, the war games and the possibility of their confusion, the headlines at the end?
8. The satire on the American couple and Diane and Harry? Shelly Winters comic style as the American wife and mother? the characteristics of this American satire? The satire on Harry and his militarism? Right wing attitudes?
9. The satire on the Italians in the form of the general? His nationalism, the Italian charm, his being out-witted by Julia?
10. The satire on the English and the prosaic attitudes of the English? Especially in the war games and the clash with the Italians?
11. The farcical presentation of the Viscount and the ruining of the war gamesma in his property?
12. How enjoyable are films like this? Their impact on the popular audience? Does the audience get the satire and the points? Their method of communicating a message via a comedy medium?
