You Can’t Buy Luck

Joe Baldwin believes luck can be bought with charitable deeds. He uses the profits from his racehorse Sarcasm to finance an expensive European trip for his self-styled luck charm, Jean Jason, unaware she will bring along her lover. The plan sets the stage for a dangerous bet with fate.

Jean travels to Europe with her lover, Paul Vinette, while Joe watches his luck unfold in real life. He remains ignorant of Paul’s true intentions or the trouble this alliance could bring. The trip foreshadows the fragile balance between luck and deceit.

Joe visits an orphanage in Louisville with his sister and meets the hopeful children planning an outdoor party. He is touched by their spirit and wonders how their happiness might influence the Derby. The encounter reinforces his belief that good deeds attract luck.

There, Joe meets Betty McKay, a pretty teacher who scoffs at his philosophy. She challenges his belief that luck can be bought, arguing that real outcomes depend on more than luck alone. Despite their initial clash, a connection begins to form.

Betty scolds Joe for wishing for rain to muddy the track to help Sarcasm. It rains as he wishes, but Sarcasm loses the Derby, knocking his plan for luck off course. The loss tests the limits of his philosophy and his relationship with Betty.

To repair the damage, Joe throws the orphans a lavish party with clowns and entertainment. He genuinely enjoys the celebration and shows a warmer side that Betty begins to see. His bond with the children and with Betty deepens in the glow of the party.

Following the Derby setback, Sarcasm wins the Preakness Stakes, restoring a sliver of luck to Joe’s life. The victory rekindles his belief that luck can be controlled through acts, despite recent misfortune. He then returns to New York with Jean still in play.

Back in New York, Jean returns from Europe as Joe contemplates marrying Betty. The prospect of a wedding clashes with the unresolved tension over the money Jean wants. The stage is set for a final act of financial leverage.

Jean cajoles Joe into giving her $50,000 as final 'luck insurance' payment. The demand reveals how the pair has come to see fortune as a commodity. Paul arrives at Jean's apartment, escalating the volatile situation.

In a struggle sparked by the money dispute, Paul kills Jean. Joe arrives at the building moments later, unaware of the immediate danger or the deceit in motion. The murder triggers a calculated frame-up that will entangle them all.

Paul phones the police from Jean's building, posing as Joe and confessing to Jean's murder. The police accept the confession, and Joe is arrested for a crime he did not commit. The frame-up spirals toward a court outcome that will soon be challenged.

Joe is tried for Jean's murder and convicted on circumstantial evidence, but he escapes before final lockup. He becomes a fugitive in New York, relying on Frank's cab and Betty's support to stay mobile. The wrong conviction fuels his hunt for the real killer.

With the help of Betty, Joe uses Frank's cab to move around and questions possible suspects. They identify Paul by examining passenger lists from Jean's voyage, narrowing the field of suspects. The pursuit becomes a cross-town manhunt.

Paul discovers that Joe is orchestrating a trap against him and tries to intervene by arranging Joe's apprehension. He quickly becomes the central figure in the growing tension as the net tightens. The confrontation between truth and deception reaches a fever pitch.

Joe pushes the police to question Paul; partial fingerprints from the crime scene match Paul's prints at the police station. Paul is implicated and finally confesses. Joe then embraces Betty, realizing that luck cannot be bought and love is the real prize.