Pocketful of Miracles (1961)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Frank Capra

Writers:

Hal Kanter (screenplay) and
Harry Tugend (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

25 December 1961 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Boozy, brassy Apple Annie, a beggar with a basket of apples, is as much as part of downtown New York as old Broadway itself...

Plot Keywords:

Apple | Luck | Daughter | Dude | Mother

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Glenn Ford	...	Dave the Dude
Bette Davis	...	Apple Annie
Hope Lange	...	Queenie Martin
Arthur O'Connell	...	Count Alfonso Romero
Peter Falk	...	Joy Boy
Thomas Mitchell	...	Judge Henry G. Blake
Edward Everett Horton	...	Hudgins
Mickey Shaughnessy	...	Junior
David Brian	...	Governor
Sheldon Leonard	...	Steve Darcey
Peter Mann	...	Carlos Romero
Ann-Margret	...	Louise
Barton MacLane	...	Police Commissioner (as Barton Maclane)
John Litel	...	Police Inspector McCrary
Jerome Cowan	...	Mayor

Runtime:

136 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | American Sign Language | Spanish

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:G | Finland:K-12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:U | USA:Approved (PCA #20029) | West Germany:6 | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Franton Productions

Trivia:

Before Bette Davis accepted the role, Shirley Booth was approached about playing Apple Annie. Booth viewed the original version of the film, Lady for a Day (1933), and informed director Frank Capra that there was no way she could match the Oscar-nominated performance of May Robson in the original film, and politely declined the role.

Goofs:

Factual errors: While walking past Broadway Theater, Apple Annie hollers good luck "tonight" to unseen Tallulah Bankhead, presumably on that evening's opening of a play. However, Bankhead did not appear on Broadway from 1922-1933 and movie is set in 1931.

Quotes:

Joy Boy: Does it still kinda get you right here?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Dawson's Creek: Hurricane (#1.5)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

Jarabe tapatio (Mexican Hat Dance)

Enjoyable, light-hearted, old-fashioned film

Although this is an old-fashioned film in its values and style, it is also very funny. Great performances from Bette Davis, Peter Falk, Thomas Mitchell, Edward Everett Horton, and other vintage character actors. Ann-Margret, who has grown into a wonderful actress, is god-awful as the ingénue. Many nice Frank Capra touches and 1920s Damon Runyon flavor. A charmer if you're in the right mood. This was Capra's last film as a director and is a remake of his 1933 film "Lady for a Day," which is also enjoyable, although I prefer this remake mostly for Davis's performance. Glenn Ford has never been a favorite of mine, but he is good as Dave the Dude and seems to be relishing the opportunity to play comedy. Hope Lange plays his girlfriend and gives a good performance.