IMDb > Good Sam (1948)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
5.8/10   167 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 13% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Leo McCarey (story) and
John D. Klorer (story) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Good Sam on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
1 September 1948 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
He'll take the whole world . . . and you to his heart !
Plot:
Sam Clayton has a good heart and likes to help out people in need. In fact, he likes to help them out so much that he often finds himself broke and unable to help his own family buy the things they need--like a house. | add synopsis
User Comments:
Character Should Count more (7 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Gary Cooper ... Samuel R. 'Sam' Clayton

Ann Sheridan ... Lucille 'Lu' Clayton
Ray Collins ... Rev. Daniels
Edmund Lowe ... H.C. Borden
Joan Lorring ... Shirley Mae
Clinton Sundberg ... Mr. Nelson
Minerva Urecal ... Mrs. Nelson
Louise Beavers ... Chloe, Lu's Maid
Dick Ross ... Claude, Lu's Brother
Lora Lee Michel ... Lulu Clayton
Bobby Dolan Jr. ... Butch Clayton
Matt Moore ... Mr. Butler
Netta Packer ... Mrs. Butler
Ruth Roman ... Ruth 'Ruthie'
Carol Stevens ... Mrs. Adams
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
114 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Director Leo McCarey shot two different endings and let remarks by preview audiences determine which one to use. more
Soundtrack:
Jingle Bells more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
1 out of 2 people found the following comment useful.
Character Should Count, 23 August 2006
6/10
Author: bkoganbing from Buffalo, New York

It took three years for Leo McCarey to get back to the screen after directing Bing Crosby in that double barreled triumph of Going My Way and The Bells of St.Mary's. Sad to say, Good Sam didn't quite live up to the standards of those two films. Leo took no Oscar nominations home for this one.

Gary Cooper is a fine upstanding citizen with wife Ann Sheridan and two small kids and a mooching live-in brother-in-law played by Dick Ross. He's an impulsive do gooder, an easy touch for a sob story and a handout. He drives poor Ann to distraction. A sermon by minister Ray Collins at the beginning of the film on the virtues of charity put Cooper's generosity into overdrive.

It's a nice film, maybe a bit too unbelievable. I can't believe that Ann Sheridan hadn't taken Coop in tow by this point of her marriage. Two noted baseball immortals, Babe Ruth and Dizzy Dean, had in common the fact that they both married strong willed women who took charge of the finances lest their hubbys give it all away.

Still I did like the message of the film which is delivered by Harry Hayden who has a small role as a banker. Coop's generosity not only with cash, but co-signing loans for various people has put him as a credit risk. When he needs the money he can't get a loan from the bank. But later on Hayden comes over to the house and tells Sheridan that he changed his mind and approved the loan for their new house. Character and decency should count for something. It was a very similar message to one that was delivered in a far better film, The Best Years of Our Lives when Fredric March as a veteran who returns to his job as a bank loan officer, approves a loan to a veteran on the strength of his character.

Character and decency should count, but Coop's pants pockets still needed a lock put on them.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (7 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Good Sam (1948)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
DVD version? hunterjlc
Not a classic, but still an enjoyable film... BooBooKitty516
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Palm Beach Story It's a Wonderful Life The Night of the Hunter Green Dolphin Street Giant
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.