Pocketful of Miracles (1961)

Directed by Frank Capra. Starring Glenn Ford, Hope Lange, Bette Davis, Peter Falk, Thomas Mitchell, Arthur O’Connell, Edward Everett Horton, Ann-Margret, Mickey Shaughnessy, Peter Mann, Sheldon Leonard, Jerome Cowan, David Brian.

David Runyon’s short story that served as the basis for Lady for a Day gets the spit-shine treatment in this unnecessary and overlong remake—from the same director, no less. Ford’s superstitious gangster (the warm-and-fuzzy variety that only exists in fables) believes that Davis’ homely street vendor brings him good luck, so he jumps at the chance to give her a quick makeover so that she can appear to be a proper lady when the now-grown daughter (Ann-Margret) she hasn’t seen since infancy visits. The sentiment and silliness don’t gel, and as much as Ford doesn’t seem right for his softhearted crook role, at least he gets something to do—after the first act, Davis mostly just stands around in the background until she finally gets her gooey scene near the end with her offspring. Falk resuscitates the material every once in a while as Ford’s right-hand man, but the tired pace and flat writing need more than a designated hitter to stay afloat. Mitchell, in his final film role, gets a couple of amusing moments as a pool hustler who poses as Davis’ husband. Wound up being director Capra’s final film, too, as well as Ann-Margret’s first.

49/100