''Fools for Luck'' is a 1928 American silent

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

directed by

Charles Reisner Charles Francis Reisner (March 14, 1887 – September 24, 1962) was an American film director and actor of the 1920s and 1930s. The German-American directed over 60 films between 1920 and 1950 and acted in over 20 films between 1916 and 1 ...

and written by Harry Fried, George Marion Jr., Sam Mintz, and J. Walter Ruben. The film stars W.C. Fields,

Chester Conklin Chester Cooper Conklin (January 11, 1886 – October 11, 1971) was an early American film comedian who started at Keystone Studios as one of Mack Sennett's Keystone Cops, often paired with Mack Swain. He appeared in a series of films with ...

Sally Blane Sally Blane (born Elizabeth Jane Young; July 11, 1910 – August 27, 1997) was an American actress who appeared in more than 100 movies. Early life Blane was born in Salida, Colorado, moving to California with her family in 1916.Jack Luden Jacob Benson Luden (February 8, 1902 – February 15, 1951) was an American film actor. Early life The son of Jacob and Anna Luden, he grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania. His uncle was confectioner William H. Luden, who developed the menthol cough ...

Mary Alden Mary Maguire Alden (June 18, 1883 – July 2, 1946) was an American motion picture and stage actress. She was one of the first Broadway actresses to work in Cinema of the United States, Hollywood. Life Alden was born in New York City on June 1 ...

Arthur Housman Arthur Housman (October 10, 1889 – April 8, 1942) was an American actor in films during both the silent film era and the Golden Age of Hollywood. Career Arthur Housman was one of the first screen comedians known to the public by name, and on ...

, and Robert Dudley. The film was released on June 11, 1928, by

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation, commonly known as Paramount Pictures or simply Paramount, is an American film production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the flagship namesake subsidiary of Paramount ...

. A previous Essanay version starred actor

Taylor Holmes Taylor Holmes (May 16, 1878 – January 29, 1959) was an American actor who appeared in over 100 Broadway theatre, Broadway plays in his five-decade career. However, he is probably best remembered for his screen performances, which he began on ...

in 1917. This is W.C. Fields last silent film.

Plot

Richard Whitehead, a cunning opportunist, strategically adopts a bumpkin persona upon arriving in Huntersville, where Sam Hunter holds influence. Whitehead initially unsettles Hunter by challenging him in a pool match, a subtle prelude to his larger scheme—selling dubious oil field stocks. To add credibility, he recruits Ray Caldwell, a well-meaning but gullible member of a respected local family, whose connection to Hunter’s daughter, Louise, further entangles Hunter in the plot. Hunter, however, refuses to be outmaneuvered. While publicly endorsing the stock, he secretly acquires the legitimate deed to the land and initiates a rumor that oil has been discovered. This calculated move lures Whitehead into repurchasing his own fraudulent stock, believing he is regaining control of a valuable asset. The situation escalates when oil is genuinely struck, turning what seemed like an elaborate con into a high-stakes reversal of fortune. In the end, Whitehead, who manipulated others for profit, finds himself bested by Hunter’s own cunning maneuver, highlighting a clever game of deception, power, and unexpected justice.

Cast

* W.C. Fields as Richard Whitehead *

as Samuel Hunter *

as Ray Caldwell *

as Mrs. Hunter *

as Charles Grogan * Robert Dudley as Jim Simpson *

Martha Mattox Martha Mattox (born Eleanor Perry Mellen; June 19, 1879 – May 2, 1933) was an American silent film actress most notable for her portrayal of Mammy Pleasant in the 1927 film '' The Cat and the Canary''. She also played a role in ''Torrent' ...

as Mrs. Simpson

References

External links

* 1928 films 1920s English-language films Silent American comedy films 1928 comedy films Paramount Pictures films Films directed by Charles Reisner American black-and-white films American silent feature films 1920s American films English-language comedy films {{1920s-silent-comedy-film-stub