Pocketful of Miracles

1961 "You have to see it to belove it!"
7.1| 2h16m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 18 December 1961 Released
Producted By: Franton Production
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

A New York gangster and his girlfriend attempt to turn street beggar Apple Annie into a society lady when the peddler learns her daughter is marrying royalty.

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Reviews

Perry Kate Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!
Rijndri Load of rubbish!!
Pluskylang Great Film overall
Aubrey Hackett While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.
Lee Eisenberg Sort of a spin on "Pygmalion" - the play that inspired "My Fair Lady" - Frank Capra's Academy Award-nominated "Pocketful of Miracles" is a lightweight but passable movie. It probably wants to see itself as highbrow due to the use of classical music, but most of it is silly. One of the notable things about is that it's Ann-Margret's first movie, and she's just as much a babe as ever.As for me, what catches my eye is the cast. Obviously we have Bette Davis and Glenn Ford, but look who else is here: Hope Lange (also a babe), Peter Falk, Edward Everett Horton, Thomas Mitchell (in his final role), Doodles Weaver, Hayden Rorke, Barton MacLane, and Sheldon Leonard. To put it another way, the movie stars the '60s sex goddess, Baby Jane, Superman's Earth father, Mrs. Muir, Columbo, the Fracture Fairy Tales narrator, Scarlett O'Hara's father, Ellen Ripley's uncle, Dr. Bellows, Gen. Peterson, and the man whose name inspired the main characters on "The Big Bang Theory"* (also appearing is Vito Scotti, who guest-starred on almost every show in the '60s). Drink!Anyway, an OK movie but nothing particularly special. As for Hayden Rorke, Barbara Eden mentioned that he was open about his sexual orientation, and the IDOJ cast got to meet his partner.*When Sheldon Leonard's name came up in the credits, "King Wenceslaus" was playing. On an episode of TBBT, Leonard mentions Svaty Vaclav, which Sheldon recognizes as the Czech form of Wenceslaus, and proceeds to sing the entire song. Funny how these things work out.
johnnydogg This is not the feel good film that makes you cry at the end like Capra's other movie "it's a wonderful life" was. Glenn Ford is hard to believe as a top gangster of nyc. He has a "hickish" boyish look to him and looks to be from a farm land state not nyc. Bette Davis is annoying to look at she has a few snarky lines in the film . You never really grow to like her character or to root for her. Peter Falk was ok but a little over done with the Italian accent but much more believable as a gangster than was Glenn Ford. When I saw all the top ratings on imdb I gave this movie a try. I'll never do that again. The last 3 movies with great user reviews have let me down. You'll wait all through the film for something great to happen but it'll never come.
Gerry Nelson A bevy of stars highlight this silly film about a bootlegger Dave the Dude (Glen Ford) who is convinced that the apples he buys from Apple Annie (Bette Davis)-a street peddler- bring him luck. His right hand man, Joy Boy (Peter Falk), gives an Academy Award Nominated performance, which, according to Frank Capra, was "a bright spot in this 'miserable film'"Annie's daughter Louise (Ann-Margaret), believing the lie that her mother is a well-to-do socialite, sends a letter that she is engaged to marry into royalty and is on her way to New York to introduce her intended and his father, a Count to her.
Chrysanthepop Capra was definitely one of the best known 'romantic' directors of his time. While I immensely enjoyed his 'It Happened One Night', his 'It's a Wonderful Life' (it has been said that this is Capra's best work) did not appeal to me. A 'Pocketful of Miracles' is more of a fairy tale comedy. The title highly appealed to me and how can one say no to a film with Frank Capra and Bette Davis? The film isn't without its share of drawbacks so let's get those out of the way. At times I felt the focus was too much on the Dude when it should have delved deeper into Apple Annie and her struggle. I also thought the ending was slightly rushed and I really wanted to see more of what happened to Apple Annie and the others.The strength of 'Pocketful of Miracles' is its original humour. The writing, especially of the dialogues, is terrific. The characters are a delight. All the actors are superb. Bette Davis is amazing and even though her character isn't fully fleshed in the second half, she performs with grace and poise. Glenn Ford is quite good. Hope Lange is stunning. Ann Margret is cute. Peter Falk provides some great laugh out loud moments. Thomas Mitchell, Ellen Corby and Edward Everett Horton are great.In addition, 'Pocketful of Miracles' is very pleasing to the eyes. The colourful sets, flashy costumes and lavish interiors that highlight the glamour are very appealing.With this heartwarming swansong, Capra has made me laugh out loud for more than two hours and that more than compensates for the flaws. What a way to say farwell.