Pocketful of Miracles

Plot synopsis:
Dave the Dude (Glenn Ford) is a successful, very superstitious New York City gangster who buys apples from street peddler Apple Annie (Bette Davis) to bring him good luck. On the eve of a very important meeting, he finds Annie terribly upset.
Annie, it turns out, has a daughter named Louise (Ann-Margret), who was sent to a school in Europe as a child, but is now a grown woman. Louise believes her mother to be wealthy socialite Mrs. E. Worthington Manville, and she is bringing her aristocratic fiancé Carlos and his father, Count Alfonso Romero (Arthur O'Connell), to meet her. Annie has been pretending that she resides in a luxurious hotel (writing her letters on stolen hotel stationery) and has Louise's letters mailed there, then intercepted by a friend and handed over to her.
Dave's good-hearted girlfriend Queenie Martin (Hope Lange) persuades him to help Annie continue her charade. Queenie takes on the task of transforming the derelict into a dowager. Dave arranges for cultured pool hustler "Judge" Henry G. Blake (Thomas Mitchell) to pose as Annie's husband. He installs her in an out-of-town friend's suite in the hotel, complete with Hudgins (Edward Everett Horton), his friend's butler.
When Dave keeps postponing a meeting with an extremely powerful gangster to help Annie, his right-hand man Joy Boy (Peter Falk) becomes increasingly exasperated. Dave manages to engineer a lavish reception with New York's mayor and governor as guests. Louise and her impressed future husband and father-in-law return to Europe, none the wiser about her mother's real identity.

Tags: dramatic, comedy

Review:
With "Pockeful Of Miracles" Frank Capra remakes his own "Lady For A Day" with Capraseque results - that means a mix bag with mostly delightful stuff in it - The major problem here is Glenn Ford, not as an actor but as a producer.
A collection of wonderful character actors: Thomas Mitchell, Ellen Corby and in particular Edward Everett Horton makes the whole thing a smashing pleasure.
Dave the Dude Conway (Glenn Ford) is a prominent gangster, who believes that Annie's apples are magic and brings `good luck' to him.
The cast, direction and screenplay are delightful and although being talkative and long, it is such a good film that the viewer does not feel the time passing.
Didn't even know who Bette Davis or Frank Capra were, but already loved the film.
Glenn Ford and the late Hope Lange in a comedy with Bette Davis taking a supporting role.
They even provide a husband for her-Thomas Mitchell!As if this isn't funny enough, we have Peter Falk, in a truly worthy Oscar nominated supporting performance, as Dave's sidekick who can't fathom what is going on.Edward Everett Horton is the butler who can't take bad endings.
The tough mobster (Glen Ford) believes Apple Annie's apples bring him daily good luck because she says, "God Bless You," to everyone who buys from her.All along Apple Annie's been writing her daughter on stationary from an upper-crusty city apartment complex, in order to pretend that she's a well-to-do lady.
When her daughter, Louise (Ann Margaret, in her film debut) writes that she's coming to the city with her potential fiancé', whose father is a Spanish count, Apple Annie's pretense is not only about to be exposed but it could ruin her only child's chance for marrying well enough so that she'll never live in poverty as her mother has.The rest of the story is fabulous: humorous, ingenious, well-casted, scripted and acted.
I can think only of three directors who were capable of blending drama and comedy in a way that makes you applaud after the film ends.Billy Wilder,his mentor Ernst Lubitsch and of course,Frank Capra.Pocketful of Miracles(1961)is Capra's final feature and he ended his glorious career in a truly miraculous fashion.I have read many reviews which pointed out many flaws of this film,but I have to disagree.There are many elements that make this film a true masterpiece.Firstly,the screenplay based upon the story by Robert Riskin and Damon Runyon is wonderful--it is filled with witty one-liners that make you laugh and cry,and it embodies the spirit of Broadway.It is wrong to say that this film doesn't make you think after seeing it-it is much more than just a morality story,with tastefully and artistically presented characters.Secondly,there is absolutely top-notch cast,most of the actors make truly memorable performances(except for Peter Mann,who was rather stiff).Glenn Ford is a fantastic,somewhat forgotten actor,who embodied Dave the Dude superbly.As a prominent gangster and bootlegger who has a thing for Annie's apples,he is simultaneously tough,ironic,charismatic,and incredibly charming in his obstinacy and tenacity.Bette Davis again demonstrates why she was considered the best actress ever.She masterfully portrayed the complex and nuanced character of an alcoholic beggar who controls the beggary on Broadway.She actually shows that even a beggar can be stylish.And the love she has for her daughter Louise-that's magical.Beautiful Hope Lange is great(as always)in the role of Dave's lover Queenie,who wants to move to Baltimore with him and have children.Her change of heart towards Annie is wonderful.The supporting cast is adorable.Peter Falk deserved an Oscar for his inspirational and truly funny portrayal of a distrustful gangster Joy Boy.Thomas Mitchell made his last performance as a pool-hall-junkie-judge who stands in for Annie's husband.And he did it exceptionally.Ann Margret makes her debut as Annie's loving daughter.The direction is flawless,as usual when Capra is in charge.All these elements should make this film an unforgettable experience,and not just a film you watch for fun(no classic film lover should watch films just for fun).
I agree that Lady for a day is a great,memorable film,special in many ways.But,the significance of Pocketful of Miracles should in no way be diminished on account of being a re-make.The sixties differ greatly from today,when irritating blockbusters,re-makes sequels and comic-book adaptations unfortunately prevail.Pocketful of Miracles is a must-see for any Capra lover,classic film lover in general,and for all the people who still believe in miracles.I'm one of them and I truly believe that both Hollywood and Europe will live again through the films who would touch the people over the mental age of three,if you know what I mean..
Bette Davis turns in a great performance as "Apple Annie".
The title highly appealed to me and how can one say no to a film with Frank Capra and Bette Davis?
Existing in a Damon Runyon universe this charmer has only the most ephemeral touch in common with the real world but is that necessarily what you watch a Frank Capra movie for?
And their final scene with them gathered on the jetty waving goodbye to "the daughter of Apple Annie with her Prince Charming" wasexcellent.As there are many stars and character actors involved in this brilliant film, as not to overlook the fine work of all of them, it is a giant thank you to the whole team!Another film that puts the word "Class" in classic!.
The film centers about Bette Davis , an old , ugly and poor woman called Annie on his own resources , she splits luck to a mobster played by Glenn Ford giving him apples .
Ford helps her and he sets up a masquerade for her daughter Louise - Ann Margret's first movie - , who has lived all her life in a Spanish convent, is coming to America and she goes to marry to a high class man and for him to believe than Bette/Annie is a countess .In the film there is a mingle of comedy , drama and humor , it's a very amusing movie .
Although this is not as good remake as ¨ Capra's Lady for a day ¨ , the former and early classic movie .
First-range acting , especially by main actors : Bette Davis , Glenn Ford , Hope Lange , Peter Falk , Ann Margret but the secondary actors are also excellent : Edward Everett Horton , Thomas Mitchell , Arthur O'Connell , among others .
Before Bette Davis accepted the role, Shirley Booth was Capra's first choice for boozy as well as brassy Apple Annie .
After Glenn Ford was cast he helped finance the movie through his production company and he asked his sweetheart Hope Lange as Queenie .
Frank Capra's final feature film is a remake of his earlier movie Lady for a Day, one of my favorite movies from the '30s.
This one has more well-known stars, Bette Davis and Glenn Ford, but isn't as good.
On the plus side, Peter Falk and Hope Lange are good in supporting parts, Ann-Margret is fine in her screen debut, and reliable vet Thomas Mitchell enjoyable as ever in his final film.
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..
Glenn Ford and Bette Davis are both good and Peter Falk was nominated for best supporting actor.
like many of movies by Capra, Pocketful of Miracles is a superb fairy tale.
Frank Capra got out of the directing feature film business right after Pocketful of Miracles, creating a symmetry of sorts in his career because this is a remake of Lady for a Day, his first film to garner any kind of award nominations.
I still remember seeing it and enjoying it as a lad.Originally Frank Capra wanted to do Pocketful of Miracles with Frank Sinatra with whom he had done good work in A Hole in the Head.
He's wonderful as the smooth talking pool shark that Ford drafts into being Davis's husband.One career ends, another begins; this was the debut film for Ann-Margret playing Davis's daughter.
Great performances from Bette Davis, Peter Falk, Thomas Mitchell, Edward Everett Horton, and other vintage character actors.
This was Capra's last film as a director and is a remake of his 1933 film "Lady for a Day," which is also enjoyable, although I prefer this remake mostly for Davis's performance.
The story revolves around Dave The Dude (Glenn Ford), a gangster, who is connived into helping Apple Annie (Bette Davis), a down and out panhandler, into perpetuating an aristocratic facade to fool her daughter and fiancee.
Surrounded by a terrific supporting cast (in particular Peter Falk and Hope Lange), this movie weaves an almost fairy-tale like scenario.
The remake is just LOUDER and brash--like it is a "dumbed-down" version of the original.However, despite my complaint, the basic story itself is still excellent and couldn't help but produce a good movie.
This is still a fun, lighthearted movie that's a charming way to spend a couple of hours.The immortal Bette does a wonderful job here as Apple Annie, a street peddler turned socialite.
Betty Davis, Glen Ford, Hope Lange, and Peter Falk (best supporting actor?) come together under Frank Capra to bring a wonderful story to the screen.
from the panhandlers on the street to the very top of the underground economy.Pocketful of Miracles is a wonderful fairytale about a man who began with nothing and went all the way to the "top", only to be rescued by his lady, with help from Apple Annie, "The Little People", and a miraculous coming together of events.
Woefully sentimental comedy-drama directed by a sadly out-of-touch Frank Capra, here remaking his own 1934 picture "Lady For a Day" but not updating it much--"Pocketful of Miracles" plays just like 1934.
Bette Davis looks lost in extravagant but unconvincing role of a straggly street-peddler who is turned into a grande dame by petty gangster Glenn Ford in order to fool her jet-setting daughter.
Supporting players Peter Falk, Jack Elam, Ellen Corby and Ann-Margret in her film debut add some sparkle to the heavy-handed proceedings, but Ford is smug and tiresome as Dave the Dude, Hope Lange colorless as floozy singer Queenie.
Maybe this remake isn't as good as Capra's original, but the superb cast of actors makes it dynamite!
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.
Frank Capra brought magic to the silver screen and A Pocketful Of Miracles is as good as movie making gets!
It uses classic 30s character actors, from Capra's films and others, at the end of their careers, which is a nice touch, as it's good to see them.
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.
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.
Unfortunately, it suffers by comparison with the original and plays as a dumbed-down version that has no soul.Glenn Ford plays Dave the Dude, a flamboyant mobster who relies for his luck on Apple Annie, played by Bette Davis.
Peter Falk is the real standout, playing Ford's sidekick Joy Boy who has a wisecrack at every turn and several funny bits early in the film (he virtually disappears midway through, and the film suffers noticeably.Unlike in the original, the rest of the supporting cast is fairly dull, especially Ann-Margret as Louise.
"Lady luck" smiles on Ford in the form of nubile Hope Lange (as "Queenie" Martin); they quickly hook up, and she becomes the "blonde bombshell" attraction at Ford's speakeasy.Somehow, Ford and his gangsters survive the repel of prohibition.The plot thickens when Davis receives a letter from lovely long-absent daughter Ann-Margret (as Louise), announcing her voyage to New York City.
This is filmmaker Frank Capra's last film; and, it is a re-make of his own "Lady for a Day" (1933).While enjoyable, "Pocketful of Miracles" is neither as charming nor successful as was certainly anticipated.
Mainly, it's sustained by Davis and a slew of Runyonish supporting characters, including the top-tiered quartet: Arthur O'Connell, Peter Falk (a "Best Supporting Actor" nominee), Thomas Mitchell (in his last appearance), and Edward Everett Horton.
Ann-Margret makes an inauspicious film debut; to borrow the title of her then current hit single, "I Just Don't Understand" why Capra didn't make this picture a musical.****** Pocketful of Miracles (12/18/61) Frank Capra ~ Glenn Ford, Bette Davis, Peter Falk, Hope Lange.
Pocketful of Miracles (1961) ** (out of 4) Legendary director Frank Capra's final film had him working with Bette Davis and Glenn Ford in a remake of his 1933 film LADY FOR A DAY.
The homeless Apple Annie (Davis) is considered a hero by gangster Dave the Dude (Ford) who believes that her apples bring him luck.
The main reason to watch this film is for the performance by Davis who really shines in both parts of her character.
Hope Lange, Peter Falk and Ann-Margret, in her first film, all turn in nice supporting performances.
Even though there's some nice stuff here, in the end you can't help but look at this as a disappointment considering Capra, Davis and Ford are doing the work..
But Hope Lang (who was dating Ford at the time) is out of her element in what should have been the brassy role of "Queenie Martin."  And two other casting goofs seriously marr the picture: Ann-Margret in a very early role is simply awful, a simpering and cloyingly sweet young thing who makes you wince in pain.
This particular adaptation of his work by the renowned director Frank Capra tells the tale of Apple Annie (Bette Davis) a ragged street drunk who has a friendly relationship with Dave the Duke (Glenn Ford).
This invites the attention of Chicago gangster Steve Darcey (Sheldon Leonard) who wants to run New York now.In the midst of this impending confrontation, Ford and his principal goons (Mickey Shaughnessy and Peter Falk) discover that Apple Annie has a daughter (Ann-Margaret) who has been living at a boarding school in Spain for years.
Pocketful of Miracles is Frank Capra's Technicolor re-make of his brilliant 1933 film, Lady for a Day. The same enchanting story only this time set during the Christmas season for delivering a miracle to the grey-haired Cinderella.
Bette Davis turns in a good portrayal of Apple Annie as does Glenn Ford playing gangster, Dave the Dude.
Beautiful Hope Lange plays Dude's girl Queenie Martin and the film debut of a very young Ann-Margret playing Apple Annie's charming daughter Louise.
What really makes this film fun is a host of amazing character actors of the time, Edward Everett Horton, Mickey Shaughnessy, Sheldon Leonard, Thomas Mitchell, Ellen Corby, Arthur O'Connell and many more recognizable faces.
The source for this movie is a Damon Runyon short story, "Madame La Gimp." It was first made into a movie in 1933, entitled "Lady for a Day." Frank Capra directed that film, which received four Academy Award nominations for the then second-tier Hollywood studio, Columbia.
This movie has a lot of history behind it – Capra's desire to remake it, different scripts and studio interests, different casting, conflicts between stars, etc.
I've watched and enjoyed very much the original "Lady for a Day." I was in the Army when this film came out, and we didn't get to see movies until long after they came out.
I think I can see why Capra wanted to remake the movie – and in its original setting and time, the 1930s.
While his earlier version, LADY FOR A DAY, was more compact, this one runs 40 minutes too long, extends scenes that could have trimmed the fat off the plotting and still have had the film look great, and seems too fairy-tale even for 1961 when it was released.
Bette Davis shines as Apple Annie, though, and makes this escapist film worth watching even when its subject matter has not aged well and seems like a caricature of its earlier version..
Or was this just a Capra miracle that is never quite explained and we're to think that they were touched by Apple Annies story and wanted to do the right thing by her?
So, it's worth watching this film just to see Bette Davis in this most unique role.
It is actually a remake of a 1933 film called Lady for a Day.This film stars Glenn Ford as Dave the Dude, a highly superstitious gangster who buys an apple every day from a peddler named Apple Annie (Bette Davis) because he believes her apples bring him good luck.
Ann-Margret makes her film debut here, playing Louise, but the most pleasant surprise here is the performance by Hope Lange as Queenie Martin....this kind of character is such a refreshing change of pace for Lange.
The only redeeming value in this film is Glenn Ford, Peter Falk, and the rest of their gangster goodfellas.
I fail to see any redeeming quality in Ms. Davis' portrayal of Apple Annie or in this film.
With Capra though, the egos of Bette Davis and others in a large big name cast are not carried over into the film.
"Apple Annie" - Bette Davis did it like the old days, out of all of them!