Pot o’ Gold

PLOT:

Jimmy Haskell (Stewart) is the former owner of a defunct music store. His uncle, C.J. Haskell (Charles Winninger), dislikes music and has long wanted Jimmy to join him in his health food business. Jimmy only agrees after his music store is closed. When Jimmy arrives his uncle’s place, he is confronted by members of the McCorkle family, who play in Heidt’s band and often practice outside C.J.’s business. As C.J. hates music, he is infuriated and attempts to stop the band using the police. Unsuccessful, he is thrown a tomato by Jimmy, unintentionally. Jimmy is then made a hero by the band and the McCorkles, who do not know his true identity. Molly McCorkle (Goddard) falls in love with him.

When Jimmy substitutes for C.J. on the Haskell radio program, two band members find out his identity. They work together to devise a scheme to persuade C.J. to take a vacation. In the meantime, Jimmy takes over the operation of the business and invites Heidt’s band to play on the radio. Molly learns Jimmy’s identity, and in anger, she says the Haskell program will give away $1000 every week. Jimmy has no choice but to find a way to hand out the cash, and a federal investigator reminds him that using lottery to give the 1000 dollars is illegal.

Jimmy plans to use phone books and a roulette-style game to find winners. The Haskell program grows immensely popular and attracts lucrative advertising contracts. This reconciles the Haskell and McCorkles, paving the way for the marriage between Jimmy and Molly.

REVIEW:

When you hear something line Pot o’ Gold, the first that pops in your head is more than likely leprechauns and their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, right? Well, if that’s what you’re looking for in the classic musical comedy, you’ll be very disappointed, as there isn’t a leprechaun to be seen or heard from. The closest thing is Mom McCorkle’s Irish accent.

It is no secret that I am a fan of classic cinema. Personally, I think that the films made back then (even those that are justy plain bad) are infinitely superior to those of today. This film is no exception.

Apparently, this film is based on a radio giveaway program from the 40s. I don’t know how much of this story actually happened, if any, though.

The plot revolved around struggling music store owner Jimmy Haskell who closes up his store and moves to big city. Inadvertently, he gets drawn into a struggle between his uncle and the musicians next door. Did I mention that the uncle hates music?

This leads to Jimmy accidentally hitting him in the face with a tomato and being accepted by the McCorkles. Some more stuff happens and because of a hoarse uncle, Jimmy fills in on the radio program which is heard by two of the musicians. They vow to keep it a secret from Molly, and thus begins the thickened plot.

Yeah, not exactly the most interesting of stories, I’ll give you that. As a matter of fact, if not for the big band music, I think this may very well have been one extremely dull piece of cinema.

However, the cast is amazing. Jimmy Stewart is his masterful self as…um…Jimmy. Although, he seems as awkward here as he did in The Glenn Miller Story. Having said that, this uncomfortableness he exudes is what made Stewart such a memorable actor, aside from his speaking voice, of course.

Palette Goddard is an underrated beauty. Of course, in the days of pure gorgeousness that was this era, Helen of Troy and Cleopatra would have been overshadowed. Goddard’s performance only bothered me when she finds out about the deceit. A bit too emotional for my taste, but that’s more of a personal thing, and not an indictment on her.

The music here is great, and as I said, it is what keeps this film interesting. Bandleader Horace Heidt really knew how to swing!

I know many of you aren’t even going to waste your time bothering to read this review, let alone see this film. That is your business, and I can’t make you do or not do something, but I do implore you to at least give this classic film a shot. Sure, it isn’ t the most interesting thing you’ll see in your life, but the music is great and Jimmy Stewart is awesome. Who knows, you may end up liking it when all is said and done?

3 out of 5 stars