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IMDbPro

Good Sam

  • 19481948
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
916
YOUR RATING
Gary Cooper and Ann Sheridan in Good Sam (1948)
ComedyDramaRomance
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 thin... Read allSam 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.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.
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
916
YOUR RATING
    • Leo McCarey
    • Ken Englund(screen play by)
    • Leo McCarey(story by)
    • John D. Klorer(story by)
  • Stars
    • Gary Cooper
    • Ann Sheridan
    • Ray Collins
    • Leo McCarey
    • Ken Englund(screen play by)
    • Leo McCarey(story by)
    • John D. Klorer(story by)
  • Stars
    • Gary Cooper
    • Ann Sheridan
    • Ray Collins
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 22User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos663

    Good Sam (1948)
    Gary Cooper and Ann Sheridan in Good Sam (1948)
    Good Sam (1948)
    Good Sam (1948)
    Good Sam (1948)
    Good Sam (1948)
    Good Sam (1948)
    Good Sam (1948)
    Good Sam (1948)
    Good Sam (1948)
    Good Sam (1948)
    Ray Collins in Good Sam (1948)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Gary Cooper
    Gary Cooper
    • Sam Clayton
    Ann Sheridan
    Ann Sheridan
    • Lu Clayton
    Ray Collins
    Ray Collins
    • Reverend Daniels
    Edmund Lowe
    Edmund Lowe
    • H.C. Borden
    Joan Lorring
    Joan Lorring
    • Shirley Mae
    Clinton Sundberg
    Clinton Sundberg
    • Nelson
    Minerva Urecal
    Minerva Urecal
    • Mrs. Nelson
    Louise Beavers
    Louise Beavers
    • Chloe
    Dick Ross
    • Claude
    Lora Lee Michel
    Lora Lee Michel
    • Lulu
    Bobby Dolan Jr.
    • Butch
    Matt Moore
    Matt Moore
    • Mr. Butler
    Netta Packer
    Netta Packer
    • Mrs. Butler
    Ruth Roman
    Ruth Roman
    • Ruthie
    Carol Stevens
    • Mrs. Adams
    Todd Karns
    Todd Karns
    • Joe Adams
    Irving Bacon
    Irving Bacon
    • Tramp
    William Frawley
    William Frawley
    • Tom Moore
      • Leo McCarey
      • Ken Englund(screen play by)
      • Leo McCarey(story by)
      • John D. Klorer(story by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Despite the talent involved both on and off-screen, the film was a critical flop when first released in 1948. Ann Sheridan perceived that the failure was the result of she and Gary Cooper having no chemistry together as romantic leads.
    • Quotes

      Sam Clayton: I guess you think I'm a pretty big flirt.

      Mrs. Butler: No. You don't always keep your shades pulled down, you know.

    • Connections
      Referenced in You Bet Your Life: Episode #10.34 (1960)
    • Soundtracks
      Eight to Five
      (uncredited)

      Written by Leo McCarey

      Performed by Joan Lorring

      [Shirley Mae sings the song in the department store]

    User reviews22

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Similar to 'It's a Wonderful Life'
    This is a classic James Stewart movie. You can just hear George Bailey saying, "How can you ever have too much faith in people?" as his reason for continuing to loan money to his friends and neighbors. In fact, Good Sam is very similar to It's a Wonderful Life, but without the visit of Clarence the angel. It even ends at Christmastime!

    With two leads I don't normally like, it's quite something that I liked this movie. It's one of my favorite Ann Sheridan performances. My heart went out to her situation and how she always made the most of it. In fact, there's a scene where something terrible happens and she bursts into uncontrollable laughter! She plays the long-suffering wife of Gary Cooper, a man who takes Good Samaritan to the next level. He's constantly loaning money to people, friends or not, at the expense of his own bank account and family comfort. Ann's been longing for a home of her own, and while she constantly tries to scrimp and save (with the exception of getting a job herself or firing her maid, Louise Beavers) her husband gives their house fund away. The two main troubles are that his patrons never pay him back, and that he genuinely believes he's doing the right thing. He just can't stop. He believes in the goodness of human nature, and neither his wife nor his pastor, Ray Collins, can talk sense into him.

    Rent this one if you like the James Stewart Christmas classic. Jimmy would have been better in this movie, but Gary's not that bad. He and Ann have great chemistry together, and you can really feel their partnership in their marriage. Plus, any movie set during the holidays has an extra heartwarming factor to it.
    helpful•4
    1
    • HotToastyRag
    • Jul 6, 2020

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 1, 1948 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
      • RKO Studios - 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Rainbow Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 54 minutes
      • Black and White

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