Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Frank Capra's final feature film is a remake of his earlier movie Lady for a Day, one of my favorite movies from the '30s. The story is about an elderly street peddler named Apple Annie who is turned into a society matron by a gangster named Dave the Dude. The original movie starred May Robson and Warren William, both largely forgotten today except among classic film fans. This one has more well-known stars, Bette Davis and Glenn Ford, but isn't as good. It just isn't as much fun and doesn't have the same heartwarming quality the original did. Davis and Ford are okay but represent a change in the times I'd say. Davis' Annie is ghoulish and Ford's Dave is hard to like. The charm of the previous film, made in a much different era for filmmaking, is gone. Also the original movie was made during the period it was set in, which gave it a feeling of authenticity this one doesn't have. On the plus side, Peter Falk and Hope Lange are good in supporting parts, Ann-Margret is fine in her screen debut, and reliable vet Thomas Mitchell enjoyable as ever in his final film. Lots of old familiar faces like Sheldon Leonard, Edward Everett Horton, Barton MacLane, and Jerome Cowan is another plus. It's overlong and not among Capra's best but certainly something fans will want to see. I recommend seeking out the 1933 classic first, though.

Capra was definitely one of the best known 'romantic' directors of his time. While I immensely enjoyed his 'It Happened One Night', his 'It's a Wonderful Life' (it has been said that this is Capra's best work) did not appeal to me. A 'Pocketful of Miracles' is more of a fairy tale comedy. The title highly appealed to me and how can one say no to a film with Frank Capra and Bette Davis? The film isn't without its share of drawbacks so let's get those out of the way. At times I felt the focus was too much on the Dude when it should have delved deeper into Apple Annie and her struggle. I also thought the ending was slightly rushed and I really wanted to see more of what happened to Apple Annie and the others.The strength of 'Pocketful of Miracles' is its original humour. The writing, especially of the dialogues, is terrific. The characters are a delight. All the actors are superb. Bette Davis is amazing and even though her character isn't fully fleshed in the second half, she performs with grace and poise. Glenn Ford is quite good. Hope Lange is stunning. Ann Margret is cute. Peter Falk provides some great laugh out loud moments. Thomas Mitchell, Ellen Corby and Edward Everett Horton are great.In addition, 'Pocketful of Miracles' is very pleasing to the eyes. The colourful sets, flashy costumes and lavish interiors that highlight the glamour are very appealing.With this heartwarming swansong, Capra has made me laugh out loud for more than two hours and that more than compensates for the flaws. What a way to say farwell.

In 1930s New York City, gin-soaked Bette Davis (as "Apple Annie") sells apples to support both her habit and a beautiful daughter, who is living in Spain. One of Ms. Davis' biggest customers is (conveniently) bootlegger Glenn Ford (as "Dave the Dude"). Mr. Ford believes Davis' apples bring him good luck, and he must buy one before each of his underworld business transactions. "Lady luck" smiles on Ford in the form of nubile Hope Lange (as "Queenie" Martin); they quickly hook up, and she becomes the "blonde bombshell" attraction at Ford's speakeasy.Somehow, Ford and his gangsters survive the repel of prohibition.The plot thickens when Davis receives a letter from lovely long-absent daughter Ann-Margret (as Louise), announcing her voyage to New York City. While paying for her European education, Davis has written fantastical letters to her daughter - so, she is expecting Davis to be a wealthy society lady, not an alcoholic tramp. Needing Davis' apples to sustain his luck, and secreting a heart of gold, Ford and his gangster pals give Davis a make-over, and set her up in a penthouse apartment. Will the deception work? This is filmmaker Frank Capra's last film; and, it is a re-make of his own "Lady for a Day" (1933).While enjoyable, "Pocketful of Miracles" is neither as charming nor successful as was certainly anticipated. Mainly, it's sustained by Davis and a slew of Runyonish supporting characters, including the top-tiered quartet: Arthur O'Connell, Peter Falk (a "Best Supporting Actor" nominee), Thomas Mitchell (in his last appearance), and Edward Everett Horton. Ann-Margret makes an inauspicious film debut; to borrow the title of her then current hit single, "I Just Don't Understand" why Capra didn't make this picture a musical.****** Pocketful of Miracles (12/18/61) Frank Capra ~ Glenn Ford, Bette Davis, Peter Falk, Hope Lange

This film was also a remake of a film made in 1933 called Lady For a Day with Warren William and Mae Hopson. But it was an excellent remake. I especially liked Peter Falk's portrayal in this film. The entire cast is really top notch.I don't think anything is as good as the original. But, this film comes very close. The cast is really what makes this version so good. Bette Davis is excellent as is Glenn Ford and Thomas Mitchell. This is also an early film for Ann-Margaret.I, personally, would recommend this film as highly as I would Lady For a Day. By all means, watch both films. They each have an ambiance that makes both movies unique.