In the final show of the short-lived series we find Stanley (Dom DeLuise) at work. His Mom (Kathleen Freeman) calls to tell him that his brother-in-law Arthur (Wynn Irwin) overflowed his bathtub and it leaked, creating a hole in their ceiling. Stanley returns home and climbs a ladder to repair the damage. His friend from work, Bummy (Jack Knight), comes over and swings open the kitchen door, knocking Stanley off his ladder. Stanley injures himself and after the ad nauseam "Do I have a son, or don't I have a son" routine, he agrees to go to the clinic Arthur sees. The doctor suggests physical therapy three times a week- at $15 a visit. Stanley can't stomach the expense and takes Bummy's suggestion to stage the accident at work so he can get worker's compensation. Things take an unexpected turn, however.
Series Retrospective: "Lotsa Luck" (1973-74) was a collaboration between "The Dick Van Dyke Show" creator/producer Carl Reiner and two of the show's most esteemed writers: Bill Persky and Sam Denoff. The trio also created "Good Morning, World" (1967-68), which like "Lotsa Luck" only ran one season. The series showcased the talents of skilled comedian Dom DeLuise as Stanley Belmont. Co-starring as his mother Iris is familiar grumpy character actress Kathleen Freeman. The cast is rounded out with Stanley's sister Olive (Beverly Sanders), his lazy brother-in-law Arthur Swann (Wynn Irwin), and Jack Knight as Stanley's best friend at work Bummy Pfitzer. The series is based on the British London Weekend Television series "On the Buses" (1969-73). "Lotsa Luck" centers on Stanley Belmont's (Dom DeLuise) constant frustration with his family while being their sole support working at a lost and found department at a bus station. This show displays blue collar/"toilet humor", inasmuch as "All in the Family" (1971-79) was during this time. I'm 26, but it seems most people who saw the show when it was first released remember it for its droll tuba/trombone musical opening credits: "I used to buy a pickle/ it only used to cost a nickel." The complete series with all 22 episodes has been released on a now out-of-print DVD collection.
After reviewing all 22 episodes, I feel the quality of the series is about a 6/10. Still probably better than most shows on today, but not on par with other shows of the time. I'm not sure there is a trait that would bring you back week after week, except dedication. The series ran in the middle of the run of "All in the Family", and it's clear they borrowed from its concept in many ways.
The series is clearly a showcase for the comedy of Dom DeLuise, and he does a fine job as the long-suffering Stanley Belmont. I think DeLuise is best on film when working off other comedians though, and really shined in his collaborations with Mel Brooks. Wynn Irwin portrayed a lazy slob quite well. I think some of the best moments of the series are when these two are given material with just one another- namely in "The Suit" and "Stan's Assistant".
I've always enjoyed Kathleen Freeman when she appeared on popular classic TV series often as a disgruntled woman. She commanded one's attention on those short moments of an episode, and really adds to them. The perfect grumpy character actress, in my opinion. In "Lotsa Luck" I have a hard time getting into her character as the concerned mother. Her "do I have a son, or don't I have a son" routine was not funny the first time. Yet, the writers kept throwing it out there nearly every episode to ad nauseam. I feel Beverly Sanders is the weakest character. Her voice and mannerisms quickly became annoying, and quickly became a non-factor in the series, in my opinion. The writers shifted from her early and by series end she was made out to be a dimwit who could barely function in any capacity.
There's a few good episodes of the 22-episode series including "The Suit", "The Belmont Connection", and my favorite: "Stan's Assistant".
Series Retrospective: "Lotsa Luck" (1973-74) was a collaboration between "The Dick Van Dyke Show" creator/producer Carl Reiner and two of the show's most esteemed writers: Bill Persky and Sam Denoff. The trio also created "Good Morning, World" (1967-68), which like "Lotsa Luck" only ran one season. The series showcased the talents of skilled comedian Dom DeLuise as Stanley Belmont. Co-starring as his mother Iris is familiar grumpy character actress Kathleen Freeman. The cast is rounded out with Stanley's sister Olive (Beverly Sanders), his lazy brother-in-law Arthur Swann (Wynn Irwin), and Jack Knight as Stanley's best friend at work Bummy Pfitzer. The series is based on the British London Weekend Television series "On the Buses" (1969-73). "Lotsa Luck" centers on Stanley Belmont's (Dom DeLuise) constant frustration with his family while being their sole support working at a lost and found department at a bus station. This show displays blue collar/"toilet humor", inasmuch as "All in the Family" (1971-79) was during this time. I'm 26, but it seems most people who saw the show when it was first released remember it for its droll tuba/trombone musical opening credits: "I used to buy a pickle/ it only used to cost a nickel." The complete series with all 22 episodes has been released on a now out-of-print DVD collection.
After reviewing all 22 episodes, I feel the quality of the series is about a 6/10. Still probably better than most shows on today, but not on par with other shows of the time. I'm not sure there is a trait that would bring you back week after week, except dedication. The series ran in the middle of the run of "All in the Family", and it's clear they borrowed from its concept in many ways.
The series is clearly a showcase for the comedy of Dom DeLuise, and he does a fine job as the long-suffering Stanley Belmont. I think DeLuise is best on film when working off other comedians though, and really shined in his collaborations with Mel Brooks. Wynn Irwin portrayed a lazy slob quite well. I think some of the best moments of the series are when these two are given material with just one another- namely in "The Suit" and "Stan's Assistant".
I've always enjoyed Kathleen Freeman when she appeared on popular classic TV series often as a disgruntled woman. She commanded one's attention on those short moments of an episode, and really adds to them. The perfect grumpy character actress, in my opinion. In "Lotsa Luck" I have a hard time getting into her character as the concerned mother. Her "do I have a son, or don't I have a son" routine was not funny the first time. Yet, the writers kept throwing it out there nearly every episode to ad nauseam. I feel Beverly Sanders is the weakest character. Her voice and mannerisms quickly became annoying, and quickly became a non-factor in the series, in my opinion. The writers shifted from her early and by series end she was made out to be a dimwit who could barely function in any capacity.
There's a few good episodes of the 22-episode series including "The Suit", "The Belmont Connection", and my favorite: "Stan's Assistant".