This is a funny and enjoyable movie. Jean Arthur plays Molly Truesdale, a young woman that needs a break from her job and the pursuit of three fellows wanting her companionship. She signs up for a fourteen day bus trip west. The vacation gets interesting when she meets a cowboy at a rodeo. That cowboy is Duke Hudkins (John Wayne),who is smitten with her coy flirtations. There is a magical interaction between Arthur and Wayne that seems to make the black and white film glow.

Phil Silvers plays the tour bus guide. The cowboy's side kick, Waco, is played by Charles Winninger. Also in the cast is Mary Field and Jean Stevens.

This movie was a minor picture with relatively low aspirations. Seen in this light, it's a fairly good picture but definitely one you'll probably forget soon after seeing it. Most of this is due to the difficult to believe chemistry between John Wayne and Jean Arthur and the rest is due to the pretty ordinariness of the plot. Jean is besought by suitors back East. She needs a break and meets up with rodeo star Wayne and is almost instantly smitten. However, despite a good start, things run amiss and it appears that nice girl Jean won't get her man. But, this being a Hollywood picture of the 1940s, then you KNOW it's a cinch it will all work out in the end. This picture probably did nothing to either help or hinder either actors' career, but it lacked believably chemistry and plausibility. Absolutely no surprises but a pleasant diversion nonetheless.

By the way, a very similar movie is THE COWBOY AND THE LADY starring Gary Cooper and Merle Oberon. It also earns a 6 but I must admit that this John Wayne and Jean Arthur film is just a tad better, so if you MUST see one, see LADY TAKES A CHANCE.

A LADY TAKES A CHANCE is something different for western veteran John Wayne, once more playing the 'Duke'. Here he's a warm-hearted rodeo star who embarks on a likeable romance with the youthful and feisty Jean Arthur, just arrived in the city on bus. This is a light-hearted kind of picture that reminded me of the fare that Cary Grant would put out at the time, and it's surprisingly enjoyable. Wayne has a good touch for comedy while the show really belongs to Arthur, who is excellent. The script is humorous and the story fast-paced, and you even get Phil Silvers in a small role as a tour operator. What's not to love?