POT O' GOLD

US, 1941, 87 minutes, Black and white.
James Stewart, Paulette Goddard, Horace Heidt, Charles Winninger, Mary Gordon, Frank Melton, Jed Prouty.
Directed by George Marshall.

Pot o' Gold is a pleasantly slight yarn, in the vein of Frank Capra's films, especially You Can't Take It With You. And the common denominator is a genial performance by James Stewart. Paulette Goddard is a vigorous heroine. The direction is by George Marshall, who directed Stewart at this time in Destry Rides Again. He was to make a number of light comedies, thrillers and westerns.

1.Pleasant optimistic film? Picture of New York life in the '30s and '40s? Fantasy?

2.Black and white photography, the country town, New York and the apartment buildings? Jails and courts? Musical score? Songs - and choreography (and the lavish dance at the radio performance)?

3.The title, fantasy? The radio show and the giveaway? Jimmy Haskell, the James Stewart style? Poor, the music shop, his students? His cantankerous uncle? Going to New York, the chance meeting? The protest of the family, throwing the tomato and hitting his uncle? Not revealing his true name? Infatuated with Molly, joining in the music, Ma giving him a room? The clash in court, the judge on his side? With his uncle in jail, having to get the money and get out? The boys discovering the truth, giving him a chance? The radio programme? Molly discovering the truth and her antagonism, promising to give away the money? His following it through, the plan, reconciliation with Molly, his uncle being happy?

4.Mr Haskell and his greed, cantankerous, the visit to his nephew? His hatred of music? The family and the music on the roof? His factory? Wanting their building? His radio programme? His being hit with the tomato, wanting justice, in contempt of court, in jail? Wanting Jimmy to stay with him? His nerves, going away, the holiday, the remote part of Canada, the radio, his distress about the programme, the giving away of the money? Return to New York, anger, hearing others wanting the idea? The reconciliation?

5.Molly, her singing, her sister? With the family? Attraction towards Jimmy, the tomato, helping him? In love, the discovery of the truth, her being upset, promising the money over the radio? Antagonism, reconciliation?

6.Ma McCorkle?, the boys, the music? The neighbours enjoying it? Hospitality all round? The meal table? The court? The radio programme? The boys, the music? Jimmy joining in? Their big break on radio, success?

7.Lawyers, their concerns, contracts? The production managers, agents? Deals, money, advertising?

8.Pleasant optimistic comedy? Genial attitude towards human nature? Criticism of cantankerous, music-hating grumps? A film of its time?