This is a nice little part for Stewart, he's the reason to watch it. Stewart's demeanor and delivery are a joy to watch and he delivers some great classic comic moments. The story has that Shakespearean comedy feeling: comedy driven by mistaken identity which ends in marriage. Some good color added by journeyman studio character actors. There's some nicely blended musical numbers which mesh naturally with the story ... then there's the big production number during the radio program which feels like it dropped in from another planet and during the boarding house initiation number, I kept worrying about the stew getting cold. Aside from the musical interludes, the story is tight and never loses its way, delivering comic payoffs all along.
48 Reviews
hidden gem found in Pot of Gold
wordsmith_5722 February 2006
This movie was found in the dollar bin at Wal-Mart, and it couldn't be resisted, simply because Jimmy Stewart movies are worth watching, even oldies like Pot of Gold. Clear back in 1941 his trademark common man persona was much in evidence with this quirky little madcap comedy/musical. Considering this movie came just five years prior to It's a Wonderful Life, it's surprising it hasn't received more notice. The plot in a nutshell is that Stewart has to close up his music shop due to poor business, and goes to the city to go work for his cranky rich uncle. Along the way Stewart becomes involved with a band, a pretty Irish girl, thrown in jail, and could be arrested for running a illegal lottery. While there are plenty of madcap moments, honest understated humor, and delightful performances, it's the music that is absolutely incredible! Jimmy Stewart bluffs his way fairly incredibly on the harmonica and even sings a song. It may not have been his favorite movie, but it is still a Jimmy Stewart gem. Even if you have to pay more than a dollar to watch the movie, it's still a movie, especially for Jimmy Stewart fans, to find and enjoy. The dining room musical number is worth the rental fee alone (but dig through the Wal-Mart dollar bins anyway).
A fun James Stewart comedy/musical
Tweekums30 September 2019
This light-hearted film sees James Stewart playing Jimmy Haskell, the owner of a failing music store in a small town. His music-hating uncle C.J. Haskell wants him to give it up and join the family business. Shortly afterwards he is forced to sell so heads to the city. Here he finds himself in an argument between a group of musicians, living at Ma McCorkle's boarding house and representatives of a local business man who is disturbed by their playing. Jimmy throws a tomato and hits the businessman... his uncle! He gets away without being recognised and is seen as a hero by the musicians; and Ma's daughter Molly. He is now in a predicament; his uncle is determined to identify and prosecute the man who threw the tomato and the McCorkle's might not take kindly to having a Haskell in their midst. Will he be able to reconcile the families or is he just going to upset everybody when the truth comes out?
This film won't provide too many surprises but that doesn't matter. It is charming, witty and features plenty of musical turns, but not too many. James Stewart is a delight as Jimmy and the rest of the cast are solid. The comedy is gentle; mostly based on the facts that Jimmy's uncle doesn't know he threw the tomato, the McCorkle's not knowing he is a Haskell and his attempts to keep it that way. Highlights amongst the musical numbers are a performance in a jail cell and the pre-dinner performance featuring 'musical glasses. Comedy highlights included making Uncle C.J. think he was hearing and seeing things that nobody else could and the finale where Molly comes up with a plan which could unfortunately land Jimmy in jail if he can't think of a way to implement it legally. Inevitably there is also some romance between Jimmy and Molly. Overall a fun little film with no offensive material and plenty of gentle laughs; well worth a watch.
This film won't provide too many surprises but that doesn't matter. It is charming, witty and features plenty of musical turns, but not too many. James Stewart is a delight as Jimmy and the rest of the cast are solid. The comedy is gentle; mostly based on the facts that Jimmy's uncle doesn't know he threw the tomato, the McCorkle's not knowing he is a Haskell and his attempts to keep it that way. Highlights amongst the musical numbers are a performance in a jail cell and the pre-dinner performance featuring 'musical glasses. Comedy highlights included making Uncle C.J. think he was hearing and seeing things that nobody else could and the finale where Molly comes up with a plan which could unfortunately land Jimmy in jail if he can't think of a way to implement it legally. Inevitably there is also some romance between Jimmy and Molly. Overall a fun little film with no offensive material and plenty of gentle laughs; well worth a watch.
The Most unusual move Jimmy Stewart even did.
pipefish694 May 2005
As a concert organist/pianist always interested in musicals I just discovered this movie five days ago (5-1-05).
I was stunned by the musicality of the performers. These guys and gals could really sing and play...what a joy to hear fantastic intonation and real "in tune" singing.
The boarding house number is easily one of the most beautifully done and also the most complicated. The guys really played the water glasses and I can tell you that trying to get crystal to play as a "glass harmonica" (invented by Ben Franklin) is no easy job.
From start to finish a truly heartwarming film. From a more innocent era and one without guile. I laughed my self silly during the "drive uncle Charlie crazy" sequence.
How anyone could not like this as pure clean fun is beyond me. Perhaps you are hearing "Bugles on the phone"...hahaha,
I was stunned by the musicality of the performers. These guys and gals could really sing and play...what a joy to hear fantastic intonation and real "in tune" singing.
The boarding house number is easily one of the most beautifully done and also the most complicated. The guys really played the water glasses and I can tell you that trying to get crystal to play as a "glass harmonica" (invented by Ben Franklin) is no easy job.
From start to finish a truly heartwarming film. From a more innocent era and one without guile. I laughed my self silly during the "drive uncle Charlie crazy" sequence.
How anyone could not like this as pure clean fun is beyond me. Perhaps you are hearing "Bugles on the phone"...hahaha,
A Jimmy Stewart move for Jimmy Stewart fans
FlameSpoon12 February 2007
I was surprised by this movie. Pleasantly surprised, but surprised. I bought this for $2 expecting an early, unpolished Jimmy Stewart. However, made after 'It's a Wonderful Life', 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington', 'Philadelphia Story' and other Stewart classics, this movie gives us the Jimmy Stewart we all know and love.
In terms of the rest of the movie, the plot is thin, and doesn't quite deliver on the comedic mayhem for which this story certainly has the potential. The dialogue isn't quite as quick and witty as one would like, because this is where Jimmy Stewart shines the brightest in films like 'Harvey', 'Philadelphia Story', and 'Destry Rides Again' with his slow drawl and deadpan delivery.
The musical numbers are generally well integrated with good music, until the Caballero song towards the end which drags on too long and seems to suffer from Busby Berkeley envy. But then again, who doesn't?
Overall, this is a quality film, especially for devoted fans of Mr. Stewart.
In terms of the rest of the movie, the plot is thin, and doesn't quite deliver on the comedic mayhem for which this story certainly has the potential. The dialogue isn't quite as quick and witty as one would like, because this is where Jimmy Stewart shines the brightest in films like 'Harvey', 'Philadelphia Story', and 'Destry Rides Again' with his slow drawl and deadpan delivery.
The musical numbers are generally well integrated with good music, until the Caballero song towards the end which drags on too long and seems to suffer from Busby Berkeley envy. But then again, who doesn't?
Overall, this is a quality film, especially for devoted fans of Mr. Stewart.
Odd story, but interesting.
PatrynXX14 February 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Good picker upper style film. Classic Stewart. Reminded me of You Can't Take it With You. I was watching this as part of a 2 sided DVD. With Made For Each Other. Which isn't really a comedy. But Pot O Gold, rather hilarious. Especially when Stewart finds out who he really hit with that tomato. :) Get the feeling a few people wound up on It's a Wonderful Life. But can't tell. All in all well worth the $1 I paid for it. Probably would but it on a $10 version too. The only real complaint is the movie is a bit on the short side. I would disagree with a few here saying it's not worth their time. There's quite a few movies out there that aren't worth my time, this isn't one of them.
Full rating: 6/10 Quality: 4/10 Entertainment 7/10 Replayable: 5/10
Full rating: 6/10 Quality: 4/10 Entertainment 7/10 Replayable: 5/10
Over the Rainbow
richardchatten27 October 2020
Based on a popular radio show of the period. Jimmy Stewart was reunited with the director of 'Destry Rides Again' in this, the final film he completed before his war service. (He returned a changed man, with a new grace before the cameras in generally less frivolous fare, at least until the sixties.)
More like a thirties screwball comedy with songs (one of them performed by by a surprisingly substantial black contingent), with Paulette Goddard (ne Levy) as an Irish colleen living in New York.
Charles Winninger's grumpy old curmudgeon performs a similar plot function to Lionel Barrymore as the satanic Potter in Stewart's postwar return, 'It's a Wonderful Life', without of course presenting anything like as big a threat.
More like a thirties screwball comedy with songs (one of them performed by by a surprisingly substantial black contingent), with Paulette Goddard (ne Levy) as an Irish colleen living in New York.
Charles Winninger's grumpy old curmudgeon performs a similar plot function to Lionel Barrymore as the satanic Potter in Stewart's postwar return, 'It's a Wonderful Life', without of course presenting anything like as big a threat.
More To This Film That Just Jimmy Stewart & Paulette Goddard
garytheroux10 May 2005
It's kind of interesting that while all the posted comments play up Jimmy Stewart and Paulette Goddard, only a few mention the music -- but that's what happens over time when some stars retain their luster (like Stewart) and others fade (like bandleader Hoarce Heidt). The movie "Pot O' Gold" was inspired by the runaway success of Heidt's incredibly popular radio show of the same name -- one of the most highly-rated of the era. Hoarce Heidt & his Musical Knights racked up 52 hits between 1937 and 1945 (when Heidt left music to go into real estate). Over it's run, the band scored several chart-toppers, including "Gone With The Wind," "Ti-Pi-Pin" and "I Don't Want To Set The World on Fire." (Amazingly, none of the "Pot O' Gold" soundtrack songs ever became hits.) Pianist Frankie Carle, cornet star Bobby Hackett, sax man Frank DeVol, electric guitarist Alvino Rey and singers Mary Martin, Gordon MacRae, The King Sisters and, yes, comedian Art Carney, too, all put in their time on the Heidt bandstand. "Pot O' Gold" marked the band and bandleader's only motion picture appearance.
As a movie it's weak, as a lot of zany fun it's zany and fun!
secondtake6 November 2010
Pot o' Gold (1941)
This is a rousing, fun, slightly goofy movie that has a couple important aspects if you actually watch it through. First, there is the persona of James Stewart in a pre-Wonderful Life role that must have influenced Capra in that 1946 film. Second, the war is winding up and here is a Big Band inspired kind of cheerleading about community and keeping a good face on things as the world falls apart.
Director George Marshall clearly had a mandate from somewhere not to take this too seriously. Even as a musical, it's got some creaky story elements and a number of forced scenes. But it's the 1940s, and Hollywood has really learned how to crank out a good movie, so this one is fast, has some great musical numbers, and is tightly if conventionally filmed.
Besides Stewart is Paulette Godard, who is an underrated natural, once upon a time Charlie Chaplin's wife (she had the starring role in "Modern Times"). It's also fun to see Stewart pretending to play harmonica--he's right on the with it, so he probably played pretty well.
So, no great shakes here, unless you like that period music a lot.
This is a rousing, fun, slightly goofy movie that has a couple important aspects if you actually watch it through. First, there is the persona of James Stewart in a pre-Wonderful Life role that must have influenced Capra in that 1946 film. Second, the war is winding up and here is a Big Band inspired kind of cheerleading about community and keeping a good face on things as the world falls apart.
Director George Marshall clearly had a mandate from somewhere not to take this too seriously. Even as a musical, it's got some creaky story elements and a number of forced scenes. But it's the 1940s, and Hollywood has really learned how to crank out a good movie, so this one is fast, has some great musical numbers, and is tightly if conventionally filmed.
Besides Stewart is Paulette Godard, who is an underrated natural, once upon a time Charlie Chaplin's wife (she had the starring role in "Modern Times"). It's also fun to see Stewart pretending to play harmonica--he's right on the with it, so he probably played pretty well.
So, no great shakes here, unless you like that period music a lot.
A strange, crazy plot with lots of music and enjoyable
SimonJack23 April 2022
The plot of "Pot o' Gold" jumps all over the place, and the screenplay hardly gives much substance to any character development or romantic relations between the leads. And, that's mostly because it's so frenetic. The frenzy is mostly music, but includes some hurrying here and there by some of the lead characters. The most prominent of those is a very boisterous and bellicose Charles Winninger as C. J. Haskell.
The music and crazy comedy make the picture. James Stewart is Jimmy Haskell, a small town music store owner who inherited his dad's shop. He's also the nephew of the health food king and millionaire, C. J. Haskell. When Jimmy can't make the payments any longer, he takes up his uncle's offer which was more of a plea to join him and eventually inherit his big business. So, he leaves the small town for the big city.
But, uncle C. J. isn't a happy camper with all his millions. He hasn't been able to expand his plant in one direction because of the widow, Ma McCorkle, played by Mary Gordon. So, they have a type of Hatfield and McCoy feud going, with Ma boarding a whole swing band of young musicians trying to break out in the music world. Their constant playing drives Haskell mad, and he's grown to hate music. Of course, his nephew loves music, having been in the business. And Jimmy himself plays one jivin' harmonica. Well, with Paulette Goddard as Ma's daughter, Molly McCorkle, it's not hard to guess that this will have a happy Hatfield and McCoy ending without bloodshed.
The music and many of the cast parts are played by Horace Heidt and His Californians. It's a crazy film that's nevertheless fun and entertaining. At one point, C. J. is loaded down with a pack that looks like he's gone gold prospecting, and he and a French-speaking guide enter the Hudson Bay Trading Post No 21, in the wilds of northern Canada. With the help of some band members, Jimmy had tricked uncle into thinking he was hearing things - music playing constantly when no one else did, so he needed a long rest somewhere away from the noise of civilization. Here are some favorite lines.
C. J. Haskell, "And I told him when he opened this place, he'd never make a go of it." Jimmy Haskell, "Well, he kept it fairly successful for 25 years. That's not bad."
Mr. Backus, "You know very well that I have charge of the Happiness Hour during Mr. Haskell's absence. He trusts me implicitly." Jimmy Haskell, "Well, not a hundred percent." Backus, "I beg your pardon."
Mr. Backus, "Well, it didn't take you long to undermine me with your uncle, did it?" Jimmy Haskell, "Hmm, mmm." Backus, "How do I know you didn't write that yourself?"
The music and crazy comedy make the picture. James Stewart is Jimmy Haskell, a small town music store owner who inherited his dad's shop. He's also the nephew of the health food king and millionaire, C. J. Haskell. When Jimmy can't make the payments any longer, he takes up his uncle's offer which was more of a plea to join him and eventually inherit his big business. So, he leaves the small town for the big city.
But, uncle C. J. isn't a happy camper with all his millions. He hasn't been able to expand his plant in one direction because of the widow, Ma McCorkle, played by Mary Gordon. So, they have a type of Hatfield and McCoy feud going, with Ma boarding a whole swing band of young musicians trying to break out in the music world. Their constant playing drives Haskell mad, and he's grown to hate music. Of course, his nephew loves music, having been in the business. And Jimmy himself plays one jivin' harmonica. Well, with Paulette Goddard as Ma's daughter, Molly McCorkle, it's not hard to guess that this will have a happy Hatfield and McCoy ending without bloodshed.
The music and many of the cast parts are played by Horace Heidt and His Californians. It's a crazy film that's nevertheless fun and entertaining. At one point, C. J. is loaded down with a pack that looks like he's gone gold prospecting, and he and a French-speaking guide enter the Hudson Bay Trading Post No 21, in the wilds of northern Canada. With the help of some band members, Jimmy had tricked uncle into thinking he was hearing things - music playing constantly when no one else did, so he needed a long rest somewhere away from the noise of civilization. Here are some favorite lines.
C. J. Haskell, "And I told him when he opened this place, he'd never make a go of it." Jimmy Haskell, "Well, he kept it fairly successful for 25 years. That's not bad."
Mr. Backus, "You know very well that I have charge of the Happiness Hour during Mr. Haskell's absence. He trusts me implicitly." Jimmy Haskell, "Well, not a hundred percent." Backus, "I beg your pardon."
Mr. Backus, "Well, it didn't take you long to undermine me with your uncle, did it?" Jimmy Haskell, "Hmm, mmm." Backus, "How do I know you didn't write that yourself?"
This movie could not make up its mind
wisewebwoman21 May 2001
...as to what it wanted to be. A comedy, a musical, a fantasy, a romance. Jimmy Stewart said it was his least favourite of all his movies. But I enjoyed his singing in one part of it (another part was dubbed) and some of the scenes are fun, the dancing and singing especially. It gave me the feeling it had about 5 different directors, each with his own vision, 4 script writers with different skill sets, I was strangely uninvolved apart from determining the level of embarrassment our Jimmy tried not show in each scene. Paulette had some nice numbers, particularly a rumba scene and I was delighted to spot a dapper and suave Art Carney as a radio announcer. Some neat little bits that were funny as in Jimmy telling the mother of a little girl that she needed to practice the piano a little harder and then the mother leaves and the child proceeds to play like a prodigy and everyone ignores her. This could have been a really funny movie but it missed by a wide mark. It was almost as if everyone got bored with the whole project about 1/3 of the way through. A 4 out of 10.
An Excellent Movie for Musical Lovers
phoesho12 May 2001
If you are a fan of Jimmy Stewert, then this is a movie you will enjoy. James plays the person he does best, namely himself. A small town man trying to make it in a big business world. Throw in the gorgeous Paulette Goddard, and the chemistry is dynamic. If you don't enjoy musicals, this movie might not be for you. But the old time music is something that most will enjoy. Especially those of us who have an affinity for classic Hollywood.
One of James Stewart's weakest films, but passes the time more than amiably
TheLittleSongbird19 July 2015
James 'Jimmy' Stewart once, reportedly, said that he considered Pot o' Gold his worst film. Well it is certainly nowhere near among his best work (one of his weakest actually) and it is kind of easy to see why he would think that. But even lesser Stewart is worth seeing, even if it is only once, because Stewart was that good an actor.
Pot o' Gold's biggest debit is the story. There is very little to it structurally and it does struggle to sustain the running time, which is not that long. It could also have done with some tightening up with some parts that felt creaky and forced. Stewart and Paulette Goddard I felt did lack romantic chemistry, apart from the odd charming moment it felt more clinical than natural and tender and it did seem like they weren't that fond of one another.
Scripting-wise, Pot o' Gold has mixed results. A good deal of it is witty and quite funny, and there is a likeably feel-good honesty. Other parts however are a touch hokey and contrived, as if they were really to raise laughs but were struggling to do so, and crisper timing and more freshness might have helped.
It is a good-looking film though. It is not exactly lavish and there are times where it looks like it was made quickly, but on the most part it does look pretty and like it was made with professionalism, so it hardly looks cheap. Also loved the film's quaint period charm. The music score has the appropriate amount of whimsy, and the songs, while not the most memorable for a musical, are tuneful, energetic and enough to leave the feet tapping. Do You Believe in Fairy Tales and With a Knife, a Fork and a Spoon (don't worry, the song is not as silly as the title sounds) are particularly fun. The choreography is spirited and doesn't try to do anything too complicated (neither does it get simplistic), also managing to keep within the lightweight feel of the rest of the film. The dream sequences are imaginatively surreal and colourful, without being too heavy-handed or inappropriate.
George Marshall's direction is lively and does a good job keeping the film light and bouncy. While not always working, the humour is mostly feel-good, witty and honest, and the film does have a sweet charm regardless of the story's flaws. Stewart has a great easy-going charisma and a sparkling twinkle, and acquits himself reasonably well in the singing department, and Goddard, who is much better than she was in Second Chorus, is beautiful and fiery. Good amusing support too from Charles Winniger (particularly excellent) and Mary Gordon, and while there could have been a little less of him Horace Heidt does fine too and is in no way a liability.
To summarise, Pot o' Gold passes the time more than amiably and is a decent enough film, but, considering Stewart's calibre as a personal favourite actor of mine and as a fan of musicals, this viewer was hoping for more. 6/10 Bethany Cox
Pot o' Gold's biggest debit is the story. There is very little to it structurally and it does struggle to sustain the running time, which is not that long. It could also have done with some tightening up with some parts that felt creaky and forced. Stewart and Paulette Goddard I felt did lack romantic chemistry, apart from the odd charming moment it felt more clinical than natural and tender and it did seem like they weren't that fond of one another.
Scripting-wise, Pot o' Gold has mixed results. A good deal of it is witty and quite funny, and there is a likeably feel-good honesty. Other parts however are a touch hokey and contrived, as if they were really to raise laughs but were struggling to do so, and crisper timing and more freshness might have helped.
It is a good-looking film though. It is not exactly lavish and there are times where it looks like it was made quickly, but on the most part it does look pretty and like it was made with professionalism, so it hardly looks cheap. Also loved the film's quaint period charm. The music score has the appropriate amount of whimsy, and the songs, while not the most memorable for a musical, are tuneful, energetic and enough to leave the feet tapping. Do You Believe in Fairy Tales and With a Knife, a Fork and a Spoon (don't worry, the song is not as silly as the title sounds) are particularly fun. The choreography is spirited and doesn't try to do anything too complicated (neither does it get simplistic), also managing to keep within the lightweight feel of the rest of the film. The dream sequences are imaginatively surreal and colourful, without being too heavy-handed or inappropriate.
George Marshall's direction is lively and does a good job keeping the film light and bouncy. While not always working, the humour is mostly feel-good, witty and honest, and the film does have a sweet charm regardless of the story's flaws. Stewart has a great easy-going charisma and a sparkling twinkle, and acquits himself reasonably well in the singing department, and Goddard, who is much better than she was in Second Chorus, is beautiful and fiery. Good amusing support too from Charles Winniger (particularly excellent) and Mary Gordon, and while there could have been a little less of him Horace Heidt does fine too and is in no way a liability.
To summarise, Pot o' Gold passes the time more than amiably and is a decent enough film, but, considering Stewart's calibre as a personal favourite actor of mine and as a fan of musicals, this viewer was hoping for more. 6/10 Bethany Cox
Pot of Iron Pyrites
bkoganbing3 November 2005
Pot o' Gold will not rank in the upper half of either the films of James Stewart or Paulette Goddard. But it is a tribute to the influence of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Take a look at the producer's name, James Roosevelt. That folks was the oldest son of the President of the United States. One day Jimmy Roosevelt said Dad I want to be a movie producer, so some calls got made. All the Roosevelt kids had some problems settling into careers and Jimmy was no exception.
I think the only way for Pot o' Gold to really have worked is if they had gone all the way with some professional musical talent other than Horace Heidt's band. If Dick Powell, who at this time was trying so hard to leave musicals behind or John Payne were available that would have been better than Stewart. Instead of Paulette Goddard, a singer like Alice Faye. Some really good songs could have helped and definitely someone like Busby Berkeley to do the fantasy sequences.
The two best in this film by far are Charles Winninger and Mary Gordon. Winninger is Stewart's curmudgeonly uncle and owner of a health food factory which is located next to Mary Gordon's house. Mary is Paulette's mom. Watching these two go at each other shows them and Director George Marshall at his best.
When Pot o' Gold got a less than enthusiastic reception from the public that didn't faze producer James Roosevelt. He settled in California and served several terms in Congress.
Take a look at the producer's name, James Roosevelt. That folks was the oldest son of the President of the United States. One day Jimmy Roosevelt said Dad I want to be a movie producer, so some calls got made. All the Roosevelt kids had some problems settling into careers and Jimmy was no exception.
I think the only way for Pot o' Gold to really have worked is if they had gone all the way with some professional musical talent other than Horace Heidt's band. If Dick Powell, who at this time was trying so hard to leave musicals behind or John Payne were available that would have been better than Stewart. Instead of Paulette Goddard, a singer like Alice Faye. Some really good songs could have helped and definitely someone like Busby Berkeley to do the fantasy sequences.
The two best in this film by far are Charles Winninger and Mary Gordon. Winninger is Stewart's curmudgeonly uncle and owner of a health food factory which is located next to Mary Gordon's house. Mary is Paulette's mom. Watching these two go at each other shows them and Director George Marshall at his best.
When Pot o' Gold got a less than enthusiastic reception from the public that didn't faze producer James Roosevelt. He settled in California and served several terms in Congress.
Fun Movie!
smarsha-227 January 2003
A really fun movie. The music was performed live in front of a camera, no overdubing. I was amazed at how well arranged, choregraphed and performed the pieces were. I only wish that the DVD master had cleaned up the sound more and brought out better frequency response.
Jimmy Stewart was his usual charming self. Its hard to hate a movie with Jimmy in it. Even better, Jimmy actually sang and did quite well with the song. The first half of the movie had me laughing out loud!
Jimmy Stewart was his usual charming self. Its hard to hate a movie with Jimmy in it. Even better, Jimmy actually sang and did quite well with the song. The first half of the movie had me laughing out loud!
Is This Stewart's Only Musical -Comedy?
DKosty12317 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I have a soft spot for this one. Paulette Goddard is that spot. She looks great and this is one of the first times I have seen a movie where she sings. The plot is pretty much a standard musical type of plot.
Jimmy Haskell (Stewart) has a music store which is going out of business. (Only time I have seen Jimmy carrying a banjo). His Uncle, C.J.Haskell offers him a chance to earn a Pot O'Gold after he goes under with his health food business. So Stewart comes to town and meets Molly McCorkel (Goddard) her ma (Mary Gordon) and family orchestra to find his Uncle. Well, it turns out the Uncle is in a feud with the McCorkles and Jimmy tosses his way into it with a tomato (no, not Goddard, a real one from the produce stand).
From here, the plot goes into overdrive with lots of music and harping from CJ who dislikes music. Because of the independent production company -James Roosevelt Productions -the sound track in mono is quite crude sounding. The spirit of the story and the talent of the cast makes this an okay film. This is the first uncredited role of Art Carney, who would go on from here to become a famous sewer worker.
The music slows the plot at times, but at less than 90 minutes at least it does not stop things and the music is good despite the sound and Stewart and Goddard do their own music - here are the credits - Hi, Cy, What's A-Cookin'? (uncredited) Written by Henry Russell and Louis Forbes Performed by various characters Pete the Piper (uncredited) Written by Henry Russell Performed by Paulette Goddard with Horace Heidt & His Musical Knights When Johnny Toots His Horn (uncredited) Written by Hy Heath and Fred Rose Performed by James Stewart A Knife, a Fork and a Spoon (uncredited) Written by Dave Franklin Performed by Horace Heidt & His Musical Knights Do You Believe in Fairy Tales? (uncredited) Music by Vee Lawnhurst Lyrics by Mack David Performed by Larry Cotton with Horace Heidt & His Musical Knights Broadway Caballero (uncredited) Written by Henry Russell Performed by Paulette Goddard with Horace Heidt & His Musical Knights
It is a bit of a mystery where this was filmed, but all the shots appear to be inside a studio.
Jimmy Haskell (Stewart) has a music store which is going out of business. (Only time I have seen Jimmy carrying a banjo). His Uncle, C.J.Haskell offers him a chance to earn a Pot O'Gold after he goes under with his health food business. So Stewart comes to town and meets Molly McCorkel (Goddard) her ma (Mary Gordon) and family orchestra to find his Uncle. Well, it turns out the Uncle is in a feud with the McCorkles and Jimmy tosses his way into it with a tomato (no, not Goddard, a real one from the produce stand).
From here, the plot goes into overdrive with lots of music and harping from CJ who dislikes music. Because of the independent production company -James Roosevelt Productions -the sound track in mono is quite crude sounding. The spirit of the story and the talent of the cast makes this an okay film. This is the first uncredited role of Art Carney, who would go on from here to become a famous sewer worker.
The music slows the plot at times, but at less than 90 minutes at least it does not stop things and the music is good despite the sound and Stewart and Goddard do their own music - here are the credits - Hi, Cy, What's A-Cookin'? (uncredited) Written by Henry Russell and Louis Forbes Performed by various characters Pete the Piper (uncredited) Written by Henry Russell Performed by Paulette Goddard with Horace Heidt & His Musical Knights When Johnny Toots His Horn (uncredited) Written by Hy Heath and Fred Rose Performed by James Stewart A Knife, a Fork and a Spoon (uncredited) Written by Dave Franklin Performed by Horace Heidt & His Musical Knights Do You Believe in Fairy Tales? (uncredited) Music by Vee Lawnhurst Lyrics by Mack David Performed by Larry Cotton with Horace Heidt & His Musical Knights Broadway Caballero (uncredited) Written by Henry Russell Performed by Paulette Goddard with Horace Heidt & His Musical Knights
It is a bit of a mystery where this was filmed, but all the shots appear to be inside a studio.
Washington Heidts
writers_reign2 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
It's difficult to believe this entry was shot in 1941 - Stewart made only one more movie, Zeigfeld Girl that same year - before becoming the first actor to enlist in the services - because everything about it screams mid thirties from the virtually non-existent plot to the style of the acting, especially Jimmy Steward who, by then, had already made Destry Rides Again (also shot by George Marshall) and picked up an Oscar for The Philadelphia Story. It's harmless enough with Charles Winniger - another link with this type of thirties fodder - phoning it in as the heavy-cum-buffoon and Paulette Goddard weighing in with the 'love' interest. Horace Heidt was a mediocre band leader at best and does nothing here to counter that claim. A passable time-waster but that's about it.
Rather zany but fun
Melissa Alice3 March 2001
Jimmy Stewart plays a man named Jimmy who is fond of music. His uncle is a bigwig who hates music. The first half of the movie is the funniest-it gave me quite a lot of laughs. It starts to get crazy and sort of lame towards the end, but it's still a good movie.
Music worth watching
screenidol5 April 2011
The story line is not the best, but the movie is worth watching anyway. It starts off with a decent premise about a music-loving failing music shop owner (Stewart) going to work for his music- hating uncle. The uncle, who loves the big bangs from his "shot-with-guns" cereal factory is annoyed by the music of the big band in the building next door -- a building the uncle wants to buy but the musicians' house-mother won't sell. There's no question that when nephew Jimmy Stewart (not telling his relationship to the uncle) meets singer Paulette Goddard, romance will begin, then sparks fly, then the couple reunited. Old story, but still lots of fun. Unfortunately, it begins to unravel about half way through -- still humorous, but more preposterous. The movie does have some good character parts, and bits of swing dancing and other dancing, especially during the live radio show. What makes the movie is the music, especially in the beginning! Wonderful swing numbers, terrific harmony vocals, and a great barbershop quartet. I probably won't watch the entire film a second time, but I'll definitely listen again through the first half hour or so, at least through Stewart's introductory dinner with the entire ensemble in the boarding house.
A curious oddity!!
alfiefamily1 January 2005
I'm not exactly sure what kind of movie "Pot O' Gold" is. It's a Jimmy Stewart movie, but it is definitely not the usual Jimmy Stewart movie. It's a musical, sort of. It's a romantic comedy, but not really. It is a fantasy film, but then again, it's not. No, it is not possible to pigeon hole this film.
That is what made it interesting to watch, for me. This was obviously a pretty low budget film, with all of the production costs going into the main musical number, "Broadway Caballero". In addition, the film is all over the place. Comedy, Musical, Romance, Fantasy Sequence. All in a little 86 minute movie.
There's some really terrible acting, but Jimmy Stewart is terrific, and Paulette Goddard is pretty good. And both sing surprisingly well.
The plot isn't even worth going into, just know that there are huge holes in it, large enough to drive a truck through.
In many respects, it's the worst Jimmy Stewart movie I've ever seen (and I remember reading that he thought it was the worst movie he ever made), especially since he had just won the Oscar a year prior to this one, and yet I could not stop watching it.
Only for those that are truly curious.
5 out of 10
That is what made it interesting to watch, for me. This was obviously a pretty low budget film, with all of the production costs going into the main musical number, "Broadway Caballero". In addition, the film is all over the place. Comedy, Musical, Romance, Fantasy Sequence. All in a little 86 minute movie.
There's some really terrible acting, but Jimmy Stewart is terrific, and Paulette Goddard is pretty good. And both sing surprisingly well.
The plot isn't even worth going into, just know that there are huge holes in it, large enough to drive a truck through.
In many respects, it's the worst Jimmy Stewart movie I've ever seen (and I remember reading that he thought it was the worst movie he ever made), especially since he had just won the Oscar a year prior to this one, and yet I could not stop watching it.
Only for those that are truly curious.
5 out of 10
Mass production
ricardojorgeramalho18 August 2023
Pot o'Gold was a successful radio show at the time, the first to give listeners money. The success was such that no one left the radio set, at the time of the program. The cinemas had such a big drop in the audience, that they announced that they would give 1000 dollars anyway, to any viewer who was drawn and happened to be in the cinema, at the time of the programme.
The transition from a successful radio contest to the cinema does not seem at all logical or desirable, but a simple trick to gain audiences.
The duo of protagonists, James Stewart and Paulette Goddard, also seems a little unlikely for a musical comedy, although I must admit that they don't even do badly.
The musical arrangements are of excellent quality, authored by Basil Adlam, Frank de Vol and Dudley Chambers, under the musical direction of Louis Forbes and with the harmonicas of Jerry Adler and Nat Bergman, doubling the performances of James Stewart.
But even that doesn't save this typical production of the time. The plot is poor and predictable, a mere pretext for the succession of musical numbers. The characters lack depth, it's a light film, on all levels, that you forget ten minutes after it's over.
James Stewart himself, confronted, years later, with one of the most striking scenes in the film, when he is bombarded with a jet of water in the face, from a siphon, by Paulette Goddard, thought it was a sitcom, because he had no idea of having done that scene.
No wonder, the film was produced at the same time that Stewart was filming Ziegfeld Girl, with Judy Garland. The actor was taken from one studio to the other, several times a day, to be able to film both films at the same time.
A Hollywood serial product, for all intents and purposes, positive and negative.
The transition from a successful radio contest to the cinema does not seem at all logical or desirable, but a simple trick to gain audiences.
The duo of protagonists, James Stewart and Paulette Goddard, also seems a little unlikely for a musical comedy, although I must admit that they don't even do badly.
The musical arrangements are of excellent quality, authored by Basil Adlam, Frank de Vol and Dudley Chambers, under the musical direction of Louis Forbes and with the harmonicas of Jerry Adler and Nat Bergman, doubling the performances of James Stewart.
But even that doesn't save this typical production of the time. The plot is poor and predictable, a mere pretext for the succession of musical numbers. The characters lack depth, it's a light film, on all levels, that you forget ten minutes after it's over.
James Stewart himself, confronted, years later, with one of the most striking scenes in the film, when he is bombarded with a jet of water in the face, from a siphon, by Paulette Goddard, thought it was a sitcom, because he had no idea of having done that scene.
No wonder, the film was produced at the same time that Stewart was filming Ziegfeld Girl, with Judy Garland. The actor was taken from one studio to the other, several times a day, to be able to film both films at the same time.
A Hollywood serial product, for all intents and purposes, positive and negative.
All that glitters is not gold...
Doylenf18 March 2008
Ugh! How anyone can lavish all sorts of praise on this terrible mess of a film is beyond belief. JAMES STEWART always considered it his worst movie and I can certainly understand why. Not only is it a Poverty Row film made on the cheap (and it looks it), but it came at a time when his budding film career was heading toward a high crest of the wave. He became a huge star despite this indiscretion.
PAULETTE GODDARD is as lively and pleasant as usual, but she's totally wasted as his screen sweetheart. The music is terribly banal, as is most of the dialog, and the whole film has the look of a Public Domain print that nobody bothered to clear up--it looks as though it was filmed underwater! I struggled to watch most of it and finally gave up. Life is too short to waste on films of this caliber, even if Jimmy and Paulette are two of my favorites.
PAULETTE GODDARD is as lively and pleasant as usual, but she's totally wasted as his screen sweetheart. The music is terribly banal, as is most of the dialog, and the whole film has the look of a Public Domain print that nobody bothered to clear up--it looks as though it was filmed underwater! I struggled to watch most of it and finally gave up. Life is too short to waste on films of this caliber, even if Jimmy and Paulette are two of my favorites.
One of the most charming 'pot of gold's you could hope to find at the end of a rainbow!
gaityr18 October 2002
Warning: Spoilers
James Hamilton Haskel (James Stewart) is a small-town kind of guy who'd much rather run his dad's music store and let kids practise the piano and trumpet in his shop than work for the Haskel health food business run by his Uncle Charley (Charles Winninger). Unfortunately, he's also got to eat, so he finally accepts Uncle Charley's offer of a chance to get to know the business better... only to turn up in town and immediately befriend the very musical McCorkle family, including Ma (Mary Gordon), who cooks for everyone in the band and takes care of them like a big mother hen; and Molly (Paulette Goddard). The McCorkles and Horace Heidt's band play swing music on the roof just next to the Haskel factory, which drives poor music-hating Uncle Charley completely batty. Ma McCorkle and Uncle Charley are bitter rivals, but the oblivious younger generation (well, Molly at least doesn't know that Jimmy is the Haskel Health Food heir) quickly become friends and (of course!) fall in love, thanks to a tomato misthrown, a doughnut shared and a harmonica rendition of 'Pete The Piper'. Jimmy decides to use his uncle's radio show, the Haskel Happiness Hour, to promote Molly and Horace Heidt's band, and hopefully heal the Haskel-McCorkle rift. This results in a hilarious sequence in which Jimmy has to convince Uncle Charley that the latter has gone crazy and hears all kinds of music through the vents and floors, on the phone and sees girls dancing in the garden... all to get him out of town. When Molly finally *does* find out that Jimmy is a Haskel though, she angrily announces on the air that the Haskel Happiness Hour would be giving away a thousand dollars every week--which infuriates Uncle Charley (listening in from Canada) and gets Jimmy in trouble... how to give the money away without making it a lottery? And how are the now bickering twosome going to get back together again?
A musical is really the last type of movie you'd figure James Stewart to be in, but that's exactly what POT O'GOLD is... and oddly enough, it doesn't really suffer for it. All the songs, including the opening 'Hi Cy, What's Cookin'?', 'Pete The Piper' and 'Broadway Caballero' (with great vocals by Goddard), are toe-tappingly catchy and cute, and actually function quite successfully as an extension of the plot. I also really like the cutlery-banging number performed to initiate Jimmy into the McCorkle Clan, but am especially partial towards the rousing jailhouse singsong 'Johnny Toots His Horn'... which not only features Jimmy Haskel playing the harmonica, but also Jimmy Stewart singing! And he doesn't sound bad at all--it was probably a good choice to limit his singing voice to the one song, and use a song that fit his limited range well. Instead of appearing a fool, he comes off well, and one can actually believe that Jimmy Haskel's a music-loving, musical guy.
My *favourite* number, however, is Molly's dream sequence to the sweet ballad, 'Do You Believe In Fairy Tales?'. As Molly drifts off to sleep and awakens to find herself dressed as a princess, she cranes her neck eagerly to look for her knight in shining armour, riding a white steed... and there he is! Or is he? In a self-consciously anti-climactic (and therefore truly hilarious) moment, Jimmy Haskel saunters in as... Jimmy Haskel. Same suit, same hat, same harmonica. He serenades her in Horace Heidt's borrowed voice, then twitches noticeably when she 'romantically' empties a bucket of flowers over his head. The scene is written and executed with tongue planted very firmly in cheek, satirising the romantic dreams of a young girl, while making a sweet but very subtle point that Molly loves Jimmy exactly as he already is. He doesn't need to be a knight in shining armour; he's just Jimmy. It's a point she forgets later (and finally learns again) when she discovers his last name is Haskel. It's a great song, a great scene, and Stewart is incredibly... well, the only word for him is 'cute'.
That goes for pretty much the entire film--his character has, of course, the typical Stewart soft side, this time manifested in his love of music and his ability to connect with and touch others through its language. But there's a harder edge in Jimmy Haskel too, manifested by his willingness to pull the wool over his poor uncle's eyes, or when he's sniping rudely at Molly after they've 'broken up' (before ever really getting together!). Stewart ultimately creates a very real character, a sweet guy who isn't perfect, who isn't averse to a lie now and then, and more than willing to give as good as he gets. (It's Molly who starts the bickering: thumping him on the head and pulling him down the stairs to wake him up, spraying him with seltzer water--he only returns the final favour.) James Hamilton Haskel is no patsy, and no paragon of virtue... and Stewart gives him the charm and the aw-shucks demeanour Haskel needs to be plausibly taken into the bosom of the McCorkle family as he so quickly is.
The rest of the cast is excellent as well, considering how much this really is Stewart's film (from screen time to performance)--Winninger is fantastic as CJ Haskel, the unreasonable tycoon whose hatred of music sets him up as the villain of the piece... it's a shame that he suddenly seems to be transformed into a new man at the end, though that could be explained by the lucrative prospects in the revamped radio show. Gordon makes a great Ma McCorkle, bustling, cheery, and most importantly, not annoying--however saintly and Irish she gets. Her raucous laughter is probably the key to remaining likable! Goddard also puts up a fine show: she's great when she's onscreen, and has a really good singing voice as well.
POT O'GOLD really is an excellent film--not a classic, but excellent. It may not be everyone's cup of tea... but I personally don't think the film is uneven. It's meant to be funny, to be a little madcap, to be sweet. It's a romantic comedy told in musical form, just like SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, though certainly not on its level. In the end, it's just a film that makes you smile (from beginning to end), that stars James Stewart in his prime (which is very prime indeed), and that even sings to you--a language everyone can understand. In fact, its musical sequences are inventive, charming, and even genius in one case. If you're a fan of Stewart, this is definitely a film you'll want to watch--you'll be as pleasantly surprised as I was on discovering the charm of POT O'GOLD!
A musical is really the last type of movie you'd figure James Stewart to be in, but that's exactly what POT O'GOLD is... and oddly enough, it doesn't really suffer for it. All the songs, including the opening 'Hi Cy, What's Cookin'?', 'Pete The Piper' and 'Broadway Caballero' (with great vocals by Goddard), are toe-tappingly catchy and cute, and actually function quite successfully as an extension of the plot. I also really like the cutlery-banging number performed to initiate Jimmy into the McCorkle Clan, but am especially partial towards the rousing jailhouse singsong 'Johnny Toots His Horn'... which not only features Jimmy Haskel playing the harmonica, but also Jimmy Stewart singing! And he doesn't sound bad at all--it was probably a good choice to limit his singing voice to the one song, and use a song that fit his limited range well. Instead of appearing a fool, he comes off well, and one can actually believe that Jimmy Haskel's a music-loving, musical guy.
My *favourite* number, however, is Molly's dream sequence to the sweet ballad, 'Do You Believe In Fairy Tales?'. As Molly drifts off to sleep and awakens to find herself dressed as a princess, she cranes her neck eagerly to look for her knight in shining armour, riding a white steed... and there he is! Or is he? In a self-consciously anti-climactic (and therefore truly hilarious) moment, Jimmy Haskel saunters in as... Jimmy Haskel. Same suit, same hat, same harmonica. He serenades her in Horace Heidt's borrowed voice, then twitches noticeably when she 'romantically' empties a bucket of flowers over his head. The scene is written and executed with tongue planted very firmly in cheek, satirising the romantic dreams of a young girl, while making a sweet but very subtle point that Molly loves Jimmy exactly as he already is. He doesn't need to be a knight in shining armour; he's just Jimmy. It's a point she forgets later (and finally learns again) when she discovers his last name is Haskel. It's a great song, a great scene, and Stewart is incredibly... well, the only word for him is 'cute'.
That goes for pretty much the entire film--his character has, of course, the typical Stewart soft side, this time manifested in his love of music and his ability to connect with and touch others through its language. But there's a harder edge in Jimmy Haskel too, manifested by his willingness to pull the wool over his poor uncle's eyes, or when he's sniping rudely at Molly after they've 'broken up' (before ever really getting together!). Stewart ultimately creates a very real character, a sweet guy who isn't perfect, who isn't averse to a lie now and then, and more than willing to give as good as he gets. (It's Molly who starts the bickering: thumping him on the head and pulling him down the stairs to wake him up, spraying him with seltzer water--he only returns the final favour.) James Hamilton Haskel is no patsy, and no paragon of virtue... and Stewart gives him the charm and the aw-shucks demeanour Haskel needs to be plausibly taken into the bosom of the McCorkle family as he so quickly is.
The rest of the cast is excellent as well, considering how much this really is Stewart's film (from screen time to performance)--Winninger is fantastic as CJ Haskel, the unreasonable tycoon whose hatred of music sets him up as the villain of the piece... it's a shame that he suddenly seems to be transformed into a new man at the end, though that could be explained by the lucrative prospects in the revamped radio show. Gordon makes a great Ma McCorkle, bustling, cheery, and most importantly, not annoying--however saintly and Irish she gets. Her raucous laughter is probably the key to remaining likable! Goddard also puts up a fine show: she's great when she's onscreen, and has a really good singing voice as well.
POT O'GOLD really is an excellent film--not a classic, but excellent. It may not be everyone's cup of tea... but I personally don't think the film is uneven. It's meant to be funny, to be a little madcap, to be sweet. It's a romantic comedy told in musical form, just like SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, though certainly not on its level. In the end, it's just a film that makes you smile (from beginning to end), that stars James Stewart in his prime (which is very prime indeed), and that even sings to you--a language everyone can understand. In fact, its musical sequences are inventive, charming, and even genius in one case. If you're a fan of Stewart, this is definitely a film you'll want to watch--you'll be as pleasantly surprised as I was on discovering the charm of POT O'GOLD!
fun setup but then
SnoopyStyle28 January 2018
Jimmy Haskell (James Stewart) is a music-loving teacher. His food processing tycoon music-hating uncle C.J. Haskell pushes him to close his late father's failing music store and go work for him. C.J. is battling the musical McCorkle family and trying to buy up their property. Jimmy arrives in the city and is befriended by Molly McCorkle (Paulette Goddard). As C.J. sets the cops on the McCorkles, Molly convinces Jimmy to throw a rotten tomato which hits C.J. in the face. Jimmy has to keep his relationships secret from both his uncle and from Molly.
I don't know much about Jimmy Stewart in musicals. It's not necessarily his forte but the rom-com with Paulette Goddard is right up his alley. The setup is fun and the story is ready to go but something is off. The story meanders into a mess. Stewart and Goddard simply don't have enough time together. Jimmy should man-up to his uncle. It makes him look weak in personality and his love for Molly. It adds up to a movie of what could have been.
I don't know much about Jimmy Stewart in musicals. It's not necessarily his forte but the rom-com with Paulette Goddard is right up his alley. The setup is fun and the story is ready to go but something is off. The story meanders into a mess. Stewart and Goddard simply don't have enough time together. Jimmy should man-up to his uncle. It makes him look weak in personality and his love for Molly. It adds up to a movie of what could have been.
Jimmy was right
vincentlynch-moonoi2 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I read that Jimmy Stewart claimed this was the worst film he ever made. I certainly won't argue the point. In fact, I would go so far as to say this movie is just plain dumb.
The script is dumb. The character played by Charles Winninger is dumb (and he was usually a pretty good comedy-character actor). Many of the songs here were dumb. Jimmy Stewart's character comes off in places as a fool...good-hearted though he may be. And poor Paulette Goddard; what a terrible role for her to suffer through.
It literally took me a week to grudgingly finish this film. I kept thinking that with Jimmy Stewart as the star, there must be some redeeming quality to the film. I found none. Leonard Maltin described the film as a "very minor item". The odd thing is that this film was made in 1941 in the midst of quite a few really good films starring Jimmy Stewart.
This is the kind of film where I sit there saying to myself, 'While they were making this, didn't anyone realize they were making a disaster?' Is there a reason to watch this film? Just one, and my reason, because I've respected and enjoyed Jimmy Stewart (well, almost always).
The script is dumb. The character played by Charles Winninger is dumb (and he was usually a pretty good comedy-character actor). Many of the songs here were dumb. Jimmy Stewart's character comes off in places as a fool...good-hearted though he may be. And poor Paulette Goddard; what a terrible role for her to suffer through.
It literally took me a week to grudgingly finish this film. I kept thinking that with Jimmy Stewart as the star, there must be some redeeming quality to the film. I found none. Leonard Maltin described the film as a "very minor item". The odd thing is that this film was made in 1941 in the midst of quite a few really good films starring Jimmy Stewart.
This is the kind of film where I sit there saying to myself, 'While they were making this, didn't anyone realize they were making a disaster?' Is there a reason to watch this film? Just one, and my reason, because I've respected and enjoyed Jimmy Stewart (well, almost always).
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
