Pocketful of Miracles

Rating:
Summary: This film has aged quite well.
Review: Capra didn't have kind words to say about this, his last feature film. Blinding headaches, a star/producer out of control, his memoirs reflect an experience which soured him on directing completely. Given that, and the lukewarm box office, Pocketful of Miracles has always been considered the ugly stepchild of the Capra cannon, especially when compared to his first version, Lady For A Day. But what a pleasure this film is, almost 40 years later. If you are familiar with Capra's films, you'll recognize many of the supporting actors, three from It's A Wonderful Life, such as Ellen Corby (Grandma on The Waltons,) who played one of George Bailey's depositors, Sheldon Leonard (in a cameo as Darcey the mob boss) who played bartender Nick @ Martini's and Thomas Mitchell who was George's Uncle Billy (also Scarlett's father Gerald O' Hara in Gone with the Wind.) Capra's wove the fabric of life into his films with his supproting cast, and he does much the same here. Peter Falk is great as Junior, deservedly winning an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Also look for the fabulous Edward Everett Horton as the butler. While Bette Davis is given little to do in the second half, and while Glenn Ford and Hope Lange tend to the hammy, it is still Capra and there are many pleasures to be had. You may even find a tear in your eye at the end, for there is plenty of Capra corn. Indulge and enjoy! They truly don't make 'em like this anymore.

Rating:
Summary: GLOSSY BUT ENJOYABLE.
Review: In 1961, Frank Capra decided to remake his 1933 film LADY FOR A DAY (based on Damon Runyon's MADAME LA GIMP); although it's enjoyable enough, it unfortunately pales when compared to the classic original version. Bette Davis was lured out of semi-retirement to play the gin-soaked apple peddlar, Annie, a destitute street person who learns that her Spanish convent-educated/raised daughter Louise (Ann-Margret) is planning to visit her. Annie's friends, Mobster Dave the Dude (Glenn Ford) and his blonde, brassy moll Queenie (Hope Lange) come to her rescue and transform the old girl into one Mrs. E. Worthington Manville, an elegant, wealthy dowager....Capra and Davis did NOT see eye to eye during the filming this rather dated (even in '61) and overblown fairy tale; it was Capra's swan song for the movies. Many critics felt that Davis's transformation from Apple Annie to the elegant Mrs. Manville wasn't convincing because it was done too quickly - I agree...Hope Lange does well as Queenie; her performance is sharp, honest and convincing as the moll with a heart of gold.

Rating:
Summary: Matronly Davis
Review: POCKETFUL OF MIRACLES (1961) is a delightful film, wonderful to see during these trying times. Bette Davis and Glenn Ford are reunited (they starred 15 years before in A STOLEN LIFE) in this Ford-produced comedy drama directed with great spirit by Frank Capra. As for the qualith of the DVD, MGM has done a splendid job with the picture and sound. The colors are a bit faded (as it did in previous video editions) and the print source has some minor defects. There is a time code problem after the first hour and 50 minutes that causes a pause in the time code (the timecode jumps ahead 30 minutes... easy corrected by tapping the forward or backward button on the remote if this is distracting to you). This timecode error does not affect the play of the picture, mind you. Its merely a suspected authoring flaw.

Buy this DVD....wonderful picture at a wonderful price.