Pocketful of Miracles
Pocketful of Miracles

Pocketful of Miracles

1961Movie136 minEnglish

A New York gangster and his girlfriend attempt to turn street beggar Apple Annie into a society lady when the peddler learns her daughter is marrying royalty.

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IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes75%
Metacritic60/100
Google Users82%
Director: Frank CapraGenres: Comedy, Drama, Family

Plot Summary

A down-on-his-luck Broadway song-and-dance man is mistaken for a wealthy businessman by a street-smart tramp who aims to impress him. He becomes entangled in her elaborate scheme to prove her supposedly penniless status to her estranged millionaire father. The situation escalates with hilarious and heartwarming consequences as a cast of colorful characters conspires to help her. This film is a remake of Capra's own 1934 film 'Lady for a Day'.

Critical Reception

Pocketful of Miracles was met with a mixed reception from critics upon its release. While Bette Davis's performance was widely praised, some found the film's plot to be overly sentimental and dated, failing to capture the magic of Capra's earlier works. Audience reception was also varied, with some appreciating its classic Hollywood charm and others finding it a bit too long and predictable.

What Reviewers Say

  • Bette Davis delivers a powerful and memorable performance.
  • The film struggles to recapture the charm and effectiveness of Capra's earlier comedies.
  • While sentimental, it offers moments of genuine warmth and humor.

Google audience: Audiences generally found the film to be an enjoyable, if somewhat lengthy, comedy with strong performances, particularly from Bette Davis. Many appreciated its classic Hollywood feel and heartwarming story, though some noted its predictable plot and old-fashioned sensibility.

Awards & Accolades

Bette Davis was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Apple Annie. Frank Capra was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director, and the film received nominations for Best Supporting Actor, Best Costume Design, and Best Original Song.

Fun Fact

During the filming of Pocketful of Miracles, Bette Davis insisted on being called 'Queen' by the cast and crew, even requesting a custom-made throne to be brought to the set.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

The start of this film reminded me of the lady who sold bird seed in "Mary Poppins" - the down-at-heel but kind hearted "Annie" (Bette Davis) who scrapes a living together thanks largely to the generosity of local gangster "Dude" (Glenn For...