Linbeymusol
Wonderful character development!
WillSushyMedia
This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.
Robert Joyner
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
wes-connors
"Music Store" owner James Stewart (as James "Jimmy" Hamilton Haskell) loves his work, but his business is going broke. Wealthy uncle Charles Winninger (as Charlie "C.J." Haskell) wants Mr. Stewart to give up his faltering store and work at the more profitable "Haskell Health Foods" business. Also a radio show sponsor, Mr. Winninger dislikes Stewart's noisy music store and Horace Heidt's band playing regularly outside his factory. The musicians are supported by boardinghouse mom Mary Gordon. Her pretty daughter Paulette Goddard (as Molly McCorkle) gets involved with Stewart. "Pot o' Gold" fictionally tells how a real radio show came to give away a weekly $1,000 jackpot. Stewart once called it the worst of his films - it's a musical and he sings (neither unpleasantly nor memorably); also, he has little rapport with Ms. Goddard.**** Pot o' Gold (4/3/41) George Marshall ~ James Stewart, Paulette Goddard, Horace Heidt, Charles Winninger
blanche-2
Any movie star, even the greatest, under contract to a studio had his or her share of duds. But this is one I have trouble understanding. How did James Stewart, an actor who probably is in the top 10 of all-time great stars, land in this film? Especially after just winning the Oscar."Pot o' Gold" appears to have been an independent production by one James Roosevelt, FDR's son, and it was distributed through United Artists. It's about a young man, James Hamilton Haskel, who runs his dad's music store. The store isn't doing well, and his Uncle Charley (Charles Winninger) wants him to be part of his big health food business. James accepts for financial reasons. Uncle Charley is going crazy with the swing music being played next to his factory by the McCorkle family and Horace Heidt's band. Ma McCorkle and Uncle Charley hate one another. Without knowing that he's related to Uncle Charlie, the daughter, Molly (Paulette Goddard) falls for James. This leads to all sorts of complications, culminating on a radio show, the Haskel Happiness Hour.This is a mid-level musical at best, with Jimmy doing some of his own singing, though he's also dubbed, and Paulette Goddard, who came close to being Scarlett O'Hara, is dubbed all the way through. The band music is very good."Pot o' Gold" has a low-budget look to it, and supposedly James Stewart hated this film. I can't blame him. I just don't know how or why he and Goddard became mixed up in it.
Matthew Carrick
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.
Brandon-161
Jimmy Stewart is Jimmy Stewart, in this film as much as in any. The hoofers, musicians, dancers and others are very typical and very good.Because of our impressions and biases, we expect something very different in a Jimmy Stewart film. This one is way beyond 'Philadelphia Story', on a scale that runs from that to, say, 'Rear Window'.This, however, is a very lightweight musical, to be considered closer to the 'Follies' films and shorts like the one about Catalina Island than such heavyweights as 'Carousel', 'L'il Abner' or 'Showboat'.It actually reads more like a cartoon script than any coherent, literary film such as 'Golden Caddillac', 'Animal Crackers' or 'Bringing Up Baby'. Speaking of the last, it is a pity that JS and KH did not work together more.The pace is frenetic ala Marx Brothers, the dance and musical numbers done very well and the emphasis is on having the minimum story necessary to string together the music.There is a subtle but very special scene, near the end, when Paulette Goddard goes to Jimmy's place to rouse him out and get him to the studio for the climactic radio show. It is not a musical number though there is a great deal of physical comedy in the scene. What makes it special special part is, without rhythm or music, that it is very clear that Paulette Goddard is dancing. The blocking, direction and her own talent shine. This one scene is worth the price of admission.With a story in the best tradition of American Musical Tradition, more talent per actor than many better known and better thought-of films, this is a very enjoyable diversion. I was constantly impressed with the tight writing and talent. Did I mention that the folks are good?It ain't 'Grapes of Wrath' but 'Pot 'O Gold' is well worth the watching.
