Frank Capra's last film—a remake of his 1930s comedy Lady for a Day—was a throwback to the big studio pictures of the postwar era that featured large casts, bright sets, and full-color splendor. By 1961, however, Capra was an old-fashioned filmmaker, and his take on the cute shenanigans of Damon Runyon gangsters in a harmless New York City fantasy underworld felt out of place in a culture where even TV crime shows had a hard edge. Glenn Ford stars as Dave the Dude—a mob boss surrounded by eccentric criminals—who never seems to do anything illegal or dangerous himself but is under threat from a Chicago thug, while Bette Davis is his good luck charm, street peddler Apple Annie. The story turns on Dave's efforts to pass Annie off as a high-society lady to her daughter, Louise (Ann-Margret in her screen debut), who was schooled in Europe for most of her life and thinks her mother is rich—and is now returning to the States with her wealthy fiancé. The film suffers from a meandering script stuffed with too many characters and unnecessary detours, but features a roster of Hollywood pros in supporting roles (including Thomas Mitchell, Arthur O'Connell, Edward Everett Horton, Sheldon Leonard, and Jack Elam), as well as an Oscar-nominated performance from Peter Falk as Dave's lieutenant, Joy Boy. Although one of Capra's less accomplished films, this still may have nostalgic appeal for some. Optional. (S. Axmaker)
Pocketful of Miracles
Kino Lorber, 136 min., not rated, DVD: $19.95, Blu-ray: $29.95 Volume 30, Issue 2
Pocketful of Miracles
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