Pot o’ Gold *** (1941, James Stewart, Paulette Goddard, Horace Heidt, Charles Winninger, Mary Gordon) – Classic Movie Review 10,244

Director George Marshall’s 1941 screwball comedy Pot o’ Gold [The Golden Hour] has the distinction of featuring James Stewart on the mouth-organ and performing ‘When Johnny Toots His Horn’ (written by Hy Heath and Fred Rose), which may partly explain why it is a forgotten film.

It is an airy musical comedy with Paulette Goddard as Molly McCorkle, the daughter of the boss of a radio show who has a soft spot for out-of-work musicians, like harmonica player Jimmy Haskell (Stewart). Lucky, too, for homeless Stewart, Goddard’s mom Ma McCorkle (Mary Gordon) is the owner of a boarding house.

Pot o’ Gold is tuneful fluff, a bit too carelessly breezy in the script department, but pleasant enough, and given that extra oomph from the charismatic presence of the ever-reliable Stewart. Goddard, Gordon and the other character players are just fine too. There are half a dozen numbers in all, and Horace Heidt and His Musical Knights perform four numbers. Vera Vann dubs for Miss Goddard on ‘Pete the Piper’ and ‘Broadway Caballero’.

Producer James Roosevelt (1907–1991) was the US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s son. It is Art Carney’s film debut as the radio announcer.

Also in the cast are Charles Winninger, Mary Gordon, Frank Melton, Jed Prouty, Art Carney, James Burke, Dick Hogan, Charles Arnt, Donna Wood, Larry Cotton, James Flavin and Nestor Paiva.

The screenplay is by Walter DeLeon, from a story by Andrew Bennison, Monte Brice and Harry Tugend.

It is made by James Roosevelt Productions and released by United Artists.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,244

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