Review: Capra Classic Pocketful of Miracles

Reviewed by Jason Lockard

Frank Capra is probably best known for his classic holiday film "It's A Wonderful Life". Who among us haven't seen this film? Or at Least a portion of it?! But Capra made many iconic films over his Academy Award winning career. Films including, You can't take it with out, Mr. Smith goes to Washington, Lost Horizon, It Happened One Night and many many more.

But this past holiday season at Classic Cinema Plus studios we sat down and watched a Capra film we have never seen. It was Capra's film film, 1961's Pocketful of Miracles, featuring screen legends Bette Davis and Glen Ford. This film was a remake of his previous 1933 film version Lady for a Day.   

The film follows the New York City beggar Apple Annie (Bette Davis) who has been writing her daughter Louise (Ann Margret) pretending to be a wealthy socialite. Suddenly when she gets her daughter's latest letter she find she is returning to the America from Spain being escorted by her aristocratic fiancé Carlos. 

Dave the Dude (Glen Ford) is a mobster who feels Annie's apples are lucky for him. And with the biggest deal of his life on the horizon with syndicate boss Steve Darcie (Sheldon Leonard), he needs her now more than ever. When Dan and his girlfriend Elizabeth "Queenie" Martin (Hope Lange) finds out about her plight Queenie talks him into helping Annie pull off the great scheme in history, with a little help from fellow beggars and mobsters. And if all works out Louise, Carlos and his father will never be the wiser.

Pocketful of miracles has a great main cast. But the supporting cast is just as impressive. It includes; Arthur O'Connell (Anatomy of a murder), Peter Falk (TV's Columbo), Thomas Mitchell (It's A Wonderful Life), Edward Everett Horton, Mickey Shaughnessy, David Brian, Jerome Cowan, Peter Mann, Ellen Corby, Jack Elam, Mike Mazurki, Barton MacLane, Doodles Weaver and Frank Ferguson. 

Now many critics consider the original "Lady for a Day" to be the stronger of the two films. And while it is a very good film, I have to say I think "Pocketful of Miracles" has more heart to it. Also Lady for a Day runs 93 minutes where Pocketful of Miracles is 2 hours and 17 minutes. It allows for the story to play out more, where the original feels a bit rushed to me. 

Now wonder this film it was nominated for inclusion in AFI's 100 Years... 100 Cheers. The film also received Academy Award nominations Best Supporting Actor for Peter Falk as Dave the Dude henchmen Joy Boy, Best Costume Design Edith Head and Walter Plunkett and Best Original Song "Pocketful of Miracles" by Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn.

As for the Golden Globe Awards the film was nominated for Best Motion Picture, Bette Davis was nominated for Best Actress. But Glenn Ford won for Best Actor and Ann Margret won for Most Promising Newcomer – Female.

In the KL Studio Classics Blu-ray release the film is presented in 1080p in 2.35:1 aspect ratio with a DTS-HD Master Audio. There is the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. It really looks and sounds gorgeous.

Now an absolutely gorgeous copy of the film is not all that is included in this Blu-ray. Take a look at the bonus features included on this Blu-ray.

* Audio commentary by filmmaker Jim Hemphill

* A Pocketful of Archive Shorts: An over 30 minute look at the themes and iconography of this Capra classic.

* Image gallery 

* Trailer 

This film really does hold a special place in my heart now! It will defiantly become part of my holiday movie viewing without a shadow of a doubt.


Watch The Trailer Below:



Pocketful of Miracles was released on DVD and Blu-ray from Kino Lorber under their label KL Studio Classics. If you would like a copy of this film you can order one at Amazon.com today.

Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) Pocketful of Miracles receives...