Main Cast: John Wayne, Ona Munson, Ray Middleton, Henry Stephenson, Helen Westley
Release Year: 1941
Country: US
Run Time: 84 minutes
Plot
John Wayne goes up against the lottery racket, 1880 Louisiana-style, in this passable time-killer from Republic Pictures. Arriving from New England to look into the Louisiana lottery on behalf of uplifter Blanche Brunot (Helen Westley), attorney John Reynolds (Wayne) falls in love with sultry Julie Mirbeau (Osa Munson), who attempts to persuade him that her father's gaming business is on the up and up. When a New Orleans restaurateur, Gaston (Shimen Ruskin), is found murdered, Reynolds begins to suspect that General Mirbeau's (Henry Stephenson) gang is behind the killing. To meet the attorney halfway, Mirbeau fires his chief henchman, Blackie (Ray Middleton), but is himself killed by one of Blackie's men, Cuffy Brown (Jack Pennick). Reynolds, who has been appointed special city attorney, pays his respect to Julie, but the angry girl accuses him of indirectly causing the death of her father and then flaunts her engagement to Blackie. Said engagement, however, suffers a fatal blow when Julie finds her fiancé in the arms of gambling hall hostess Pearl (Jacqueline Dalya). Taking the stand in court against the racket, Julie's testimony is interrupted when a rainstorm sweeps the area, breaking a levee. While pursuing a fleeing Blackie, Reynolds orders a steamship to block the hole in the levee, a plan that ultimately saves New Orleans. Having survived the potential disaster, Julie leaves the lottery racket behind and agrees to become Mrs. Reynolds. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
Review
Long in production, Lady From Louisiana was Republic Pictures' most expensive release to date and every penny spent shows up on the screen. The sets are impressive, the Victorian costumes seemingly authentic to detail, and John Wayne and Ona Munson didn't come cheap, either. Unfortunately, the stars lack chemistry and the story -- concocted by no less than five writers -- is cliché-ridden to the point where anyone who has ever watched a movie can predict the outcome. A climax of near Biblical proportion has buildings collapsing around the ears of their corrupt inhabitants and the villains are literally swept away in a maelstrom of flood-water. Happily, the pure of heart survive, even Miss Munson, whose gambling queen naturally retains her innocence throughout. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
Correctly gauging the situation as "playing Romeo and Juliet", Wayne is invited to the Mirbeau mansion where Julie and her father explain that not only are the people of New Orleans fun loving and like gambling such as the Lottery, but the Lottery funds many charitible insitutions such as hospitals and levees for the river.
Unknown to General Mirbeau is his assistant Blackie's (Ray Middleton) protection rackets and murders of lottery winners through his army of thugs led by Cuffy Brown (Jack Pennick). The Lottery forces also have information sources in the State's Attorney's office that reveals every move Wayne has planned to raid illegal activities as well as corrupting judges and other officials through their brothels.
The battle between the two forces esclates leading into a climax of lightning striking and destroying a courthouse where a trial is going on and a break in the levees during torrential rains that flood the city.
Production
Republic Pictures spared no expense in making the film with large amounts of costumed extras and recreations of Mardi Gras. The studio's high standard of action scenes and special effects miniatures come to the fore in the fight scenes and flood climax.
The film mixes the romance and action with a comedic touch as an easy going Wayne backed by his comedy relief Aunt does a light Walking Tall type scenario.
