If this hadn't been a Jimmy Stewart film, then I probably would have enjoyed this film a lot more. After all, it's a pleasant little time-passer. However, for Stewart we have all come to expect so much more than just a simple script and a somewhat forgettable film. It isn't surprising that of all this films in the 1950s, this might be one of the most obscure ones and it's hardly ever shown on TV. They did release it on DVD some time back, but it's also apparently out of print and unavailable at Amazon. It's pretty obvious why this film never took off and is just about forgotten.
Jimmy plays an executive who works for a local department store. His life is pretty happy and ordinary. Then, out of the blue, he's contacted by a national radio contest with gobs of prizes. When he gets the right answer, he wins over $20,000 in prizes--though none of it is in cash. The cash would have been nice, as Stewart soon realizes he's not as lucky as he thought, as now he owes taxes on a lot of unnecessary goods AND his marriage and job are on the rocks--all thanks to the contest.
The acting is pretty good. I particularly liked James Gleason in support and Stewart is his usual affable self. However, not all the parts are written very well--in particular, Barbara Hale (who plays his wife) comes off as very petulant and nasty. This snappy personality didn't make sense, as she went from devoted wife to jealous ----- (I can't use the word--it won't pass IMDb standards).
Overall, the film certainly isn't bad and is worth a look. However, indifferent writing and a story that seems very forced make this a film you can skip or see as purely a time-passer.
Jimmy plays an executive who works for a local department store. His life is pretty happy and ordinary. Then, out of the blue, he's contacted by a national radio contest with gobs of prizes. When he gets the right answer, he wins over $20,000 in prizes--though none of it is in cash. The cash would have been nice, as Stewart soon realizes he's not as lucky as he thought, as now he owes taxes on a lot of unnecessary goods AND his marriage and job are on the rocks--all thanks to the contest.
The acting is pretty good. I particularly liked James Gleason in support and Stewart is his usual affable self. However, not all the parts are written very well--in particular, Barbara Hale (who plays his wife) comes off as very petulant and nasty. This snappy personality didn't make sense, as she went from devoted wife to jealous ----- (I can't use the word--it won't pass IMDb standards).
Overall, the film certainly isn't bad and is worth a look. However, indifferent writing and a story that seems very forced make this a film you can skip or see as purely a time-passer.