The Good Fairy is a 1935 romantic comedy film written by Preston Sturges, based on the 1930 play A jó tündér by Ferenc Molnár as translated and adapted by Jane Hinton, which was produced on Broadway in 1931.

The film was directed by William Wyler and stars Margaret Sullavan, Herbert Marshall, Frank Morgan and Reginald Owen.

Sturges' screenplay diverges significantly from the Molnár play, and later became the basis for the book of the 1951 Broadway musical Make a Wish.

When Luisa is given a job as an usherette in a Budapest movie palace, the kindly orphanage director Dr. Schultz (Beulah Bondi), herself somewhat inexperienced, sends the young woman into the world with instructions to do a good deed every day and be friendly to everyone, as well as a little (off screen) advice about the male gender.

When Luisa leaves work that evening, Joe (Cesar Romero) a handsome masher, tries to pick her up and refuses to take no for an answer, backing her into a wall and seizing her by the shoulders.

At the party, Luisa looks lovely in a dress borrowed from the theater; her complete ignorance of the world is played for gentle laughs.

When Luisa finally understands Konrad's intentions (when he scoops her up in his arms in the private dining room) she uses the same ploy that worked with Joe: She tells him she is married.

Cut to Luisa coming down the aisle on Sporum's arm, the star on her bridal crown gleaming, while the orphans sing "Faithful and True".

[1] In his February 1, 1935, review, New York Times critic Andre Sennwald found much to praise in the film: "When it is hitting its stride ... (it) is so priceless that it arouses in one the impertinent regret that it is not the perfect fantastic comedy which it might have been ... it proves to be an engaging and often uproariously funny work ... it contains some of the most painfully hilarious merriment of the new year.

"[8] Variety's assessment in the December 31, 1934 issue, was more critical of the film, observing that "Preston Sturges has translated Ferenc Molnar’s dainty stage comedy for the screen, and has turned out a somewhat vociferous paraphrase.

Slightly idealistic atmosphere of the original is missing, and in its place is substituted a style of comedy closely akin to slapstick ... Picture is fairly peppered with closeups which, delaying production, brought U and the director, William Wyler, to the mat.

"[9] In the April 15, 1935, issue of Maclean's, Ann Ross observed: "It is all about an idealistic little orphan, Luisa, who ... believes that the outer world is simply the setting for a larger fairy tale, and when she suddenly finds herself actually out in it she is delightedly ready to accept sables, cheques and motor cars from a rich, middleaged admirer, looking on them as a fairy gift rather than as a basis for practical negotiation.

The plot thus skates along very gracefully for an hour and a half over the thinnest possible ice; but in the end Luisa finds riches, happiness and true love without the sacrifice of anything but her time ... a wickedly innocent little anecdote which delicately avoids giving offense.

Helen Hayes played "Lu" in a production that ran at Henry Miller's Theater from November 1931 to April 1932, for a total of 151 performances.

Produced by Maurice Evans and directed by George Schaefer, the show starred Julie Harris, Walter Slezak and Cyril Ritchard.