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Pocketful Of Miracles | Year: 1961 Classification: Comedy Directed: - Frank Capra Actors/Actresses: - Bette Davis - Glenn Ford Light Comedy, One of My Favorites Bette Davis plays Apple Annie, a bag lady who has, by correspondence, convinced her daughter that she is a wealthy socialite. Her daughter (Anne Margaret), who has grown up in Europe, is now on her way, with her fiancee (the son of a Spanish noble) and his family, for a visit, putting poor Apple Annie into crisis. In steps Dave the Dude (Glen Ford), a small-time gangster wannabe with a big heart and a strong belief that Apple Annie's apples are his lucky charm and his ticket to the Big Time. Dave the Dude, his girlfriend (Hope Lange), and his henchmen (played by a cast of character actors half a mile long and featuring a young Peter Falk), step in to save the day, by transforming Apple Annie into Lady Manville. Unfortunately for Dave, the crux of Annie's transformation coincides with his making the Big Deal that will boost him into being a Big Time Gangster. He has to choose. This is a somewhat over-acted but thoroughly charming movie that is loads of fun. I've never seen "Lady for a Day", which is this movie's predecessor and, according to many of my fellow reviewers, a superior movie. "Pocketful of Miracles" is such a favorite of mine that I'm not sure I want to risk seeing this supposedly better version of the story. Either way, "Pocketful of Miracles" will never be a disappointment to me and, I think, to many. Charming, tender, funny, and very touching! "Pocketful of Miracles" was Frank Capra's last motion picture he directed. For a last picture for him, I think it is quite a masterpiece. This is a remake of the 1933 movie "Lady For A Day" which Capra directed then. Bette Davis is wonderful as Apple Annie, a boozy street peddlar whose best customer is gangster leader Dave the Dude (Glenn Ford) who thinks her apples bring him luck. His flashy girlfriend Queenie Martin (Hope Lange) thinks otherwise, and the Dude can't keep her out of his hair. Peter Falk plays on his sidekicks named Joy Boy, and Mickey Shaugnessey (Elvis' costar in "Jailhouse Rock") plays the Dude's other sidekick and chauffeur Junior. They all help Apple Annie a.k.a. Mrs. E. Worthington Manville prepare for her daughter (Ann-Margret) to come from Spain to visit with a Spanish count (Arthur O'Connell) and his son (Peter Mann). They announce that she will marry the count's son, and will give a reception. The Dude, Queenie, Joy Boy, Junior, and Apple Annie's temporary "husband" Judge Blake painstakingly round up the gang members of the dude and Queenie's chorus girls to try to impersonate officials and attend the reception. Meanwhile, the police, the comissioner, the governor, and mayor are hot on the job to track down missing reporters kinapped by the Dude. (We all know even though their tied up, Dude's still kind-hearted underneath). They're in a jam, when Queenie's nightclub is surrounded by cops. Dude makes a deal with the comissioner. What ends up happening is, the governor and mayor get word and the people at the coincidental party for the mayor show up miraculously for Annie's reception. At the end, it shows, Louise (Ann-Margret), the count and son Carlos leaving to go back to Spain where the two will get married. This is a real fanciful scene there. It's a real great classic everyone will enjoy. Enjoyable Film! A fine film full of great performances and superb storytelling. Great for the collection! Grade: A Buy Pocketful Of Miracles at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Pocketful Of Miracles Search with the Priority Search Engine on Pocketful Of Miracles This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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