L'or du ciel

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.

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.

I didn't know what to expect when I bought this movie. It was on sale really cheap and I just wanted something different to watch. Well, that's exactly what I got! This movie is sweet, silly, and completely outrageous. I was laughing out loud at the unabashedly large plot holes. They were just having fun and didn't care. Neither did I. Loved it. For its fun spirit, this film reminded me a lot of Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge - characters just breaking out into song and dance for no real reason. It's a musical that doesn't admit it.The last half hour is a little long and doesn't seem to really go with the rest of movie, but I'll forgive that because it was so fun to watch.

This light-hearted film sees James Stewart playing Jimmy Haskell, the owner of a failing music store in a small town. His music-hating uncle C.J. Haskell wants him to give it up and join the family business. Shortly afterwards he is forced to sell so heads to the city. Here he finds himself in an argument between a group of musicians, living at Ma McCorkle's boarding house and representatives of a local business man who is disturbed by their playing. Jimmy throws a tomato and hits the businessman... his uncle! He gets away without being recognised and is seen as a hero by the musicians; and Ma's daughter Molly. He is now in a predicament; his uncle is determined to identify and prosecute the man who threw the tomato and the McCorkle's might not take kindly to having a Haskell in their midst. Will he be able to reconcile the families or is he just going to upset everybody when the truth comes out?

This film won't provide too many surprises but that doesn't matter. It is charming, witty and features plenty of musical turns, but not too many. James Stewart is a delight as Jimmy and the rest of the cast are solid. The comedy is gentle; mostly based on the facts that Jimmy's uncle doesn't know he threw the tomato, the McCorkle's not knowing he is a Haskell and his attempts to keep it that way. Highlights amongst the musical numbers are a performance in a jail cell and the pre-dinner performance featuring 'musical glasses. Comedy highlights included making Uncle C.J. think he was hearing and seeing things that nobody else could and the finale where Molly comes up with a plan which could unfortunately land Jimmy in jail if he can't think of a way to implement it legally. Inevitably there is also some romance between Jimmy and Molly. Overall a fun little film with no offensive material and plenty of gentle laughs; well worth a watch.

As a concert organist/pianist always interested in musicals I just discovered this movie five days ago (5-1-05).

I was stunned by the musicality of the performers. These guys and gals could really sing and play...what a joy to hear fantastic intonation and real "in tune" singing.

The boarding house number is easily one of the most beautifully done and also the most complicated. The guys really played the water glasses and I can tell you that trying to get crystal to play as a "glass harmonica" (invented by Ben Franklin) is no easy job.

From start to finish a truly heartwarming film. From a more innocent era and one without guile. I laughed my self silly during the "drive uncle Charlie crazy" sequence.

How anyone could not like this as pure clean fun is beyond me. Perhaps you are hearing "Bugles on the phone"...hahaha,