The Jackpot (1950)

This article is part of the James Stewart Blogathon hosted by the Classic Film & TV Cafe. You can view the complete blogathon schedule here.


The Jackpot, from 1950, is a little-known Jimmy Stewart comedy which I discovered on Fox Movie Channel a couple years ago.  It's a film I had never even heard of, let alone seen, but since my family adores Jimmy Stewart, when I saw this on the FMC schedule, I just had to set the DVR.  It's really a charming movie, and even I---drama-lover that I am---enjoyed every minute of it.  The film also stars Barbara Hale, while James Gleason and a young Natalie Wood have minor roles.  

Bill and Amy Lawrence (Stewart and Hale) are just an average, everyday family---that is, until bandleader Harry James changes their life for the worse.  Of course, it wasn't Harry James's fault--- his name just happened to be the answer to a radio show's "Mystery Husband" contest.  Though Bill at first thinks his phone number being chosen to play the game is nothing more than a gag, he soon discovers it is all very real, and he more than gets into playing along.  When, by the flip of a coin, Bill decides that Betty Grable's husband is the mystery husband and that by knowing that, he has won $24,000 worth of prizes, total mayhem descends upon his formerly mundane life.

Bill and Amy's prize package includes an assortment of goodies, some practical, some hilarious---a diamond ring, a palomino pony, a complete home makeover, a grand piano, several thousand cans of soup, a trip for two, a portrait appointment with an artist, and on and on.  The chaos begins when the Lawrences are informed that they are responsible for the income tax on everything.

When all is said and done, they owe $7,000 in taxes for all their loot, and that's where the fun of this film comes in.  Adding to their dilemma of trying to sell their winnings in order to raise the money for the tax, Amy begins to suspect that Bill is having an affair with the French artist painting the portrait.  How it all plays out is the balance of the film.

The Jackpot is just a sweet, loads-of-fun movie.  It's certainly no Academy Award winner, but it's a delightful film the whole family can enjoy . . . yes, even the little ones ought to get a huge kick out of this.  Jimmy Stewart is his usual, totally wonderful self; I feel quite sure that all Stewart fans will want to see this 4-star, little-known gem.

While this film is not out on DVD, it is on VHS.  Additionally, it is available on YouTube, in its entirety (HERE).  Definitely try to see this if you can...I'm sure you will enjoy every minute of it.

Happy viewing!!

Right of Way (1983)---Better Late Than Never, The One and Only, Late-Career Pairing of Bette Davis and James Stewart

Impossible as it may be to believe, it wasn't until they were both 75-years old, that screen legends Bette Davis and James Stewart ever made a film together (both were born in 1908). While both are extremely beloved, iconic stars of the golden age, it took until 1983 for their film paths to cross for the first (and only) time.  That film, an emotional, heart-tugging, made-for-Cable-TV drama called Right of Way, also stars Melinda Dillon.  Based on Richard Lee's play of the same name, Right of Way is my addition to the "Diamonds and Gold Blogathon" hosted by Wide Screen World and Caftan Woman.  This event---dedicated to celebrating stars who were working well into their senior years---is sure to have a multitude of terrific entries.  You can access all the other articles HERE.

Elderly and long-married Teddy and Minnie Dwyer (Stewart and Davis) have recently learned that Minnie is afflicted with a terminal blood disorder.  Although there are complex treatments which could possibly buy her a bit more time, Minnie's prognosis is bleak, and the couple, who have lived together as one for years, have determined that they will die together as one.  Wanting to inform their daughter, Ruda (Melinda Dillon), of their plans, Teddy phones her and requests that she come for a visit.

Shocked by her parents' suicide plan---yet unable to talk them out of it---Ruda contacts Human Services, and after a social worker visits the Dwyer's unkempt home, Teddy and Minnie are rendered unable to care for themselves.  Knowing it is only a matter of time until they are under the state's care and no longer free to do as they please, the couple realize they will have to act quickly if they hope to be in control of when and how they die.  How it all plays out is the balance of the film.




It seems amazing to me that the only pairing of these two screen legends did not take place until the tail-end of both their careers.  While I don't know how they got along on set (Bette Davis, Larger Than Life doesn't say), they gave every appearance of being a loving, devoted, decades-married couple. The tender scenes between them easily reminded me of my own parents, grandparents, and in-laws.  I found Jimmy and Bette both to be wonderful and very believable in their roles.  Bette was typical Bette---sharp-tongued and not inclined to tolerate any foolishness.  Jimmy, too, was his usual self---lovable, slightly confused, somewhat-stammering. If I closed my eyes and just let my mind go, I would have thought Margo Channing and Elwood P. Dowd had come together.  What a testament to both of them that their iconic All About Eve and Harvey characters could still be envisioned at the end of their careers.

While patient suicide and euthanasia generate much controversy here in the 21st century, back in the early 1980's, they did even more so, making Right of Way quite bold for its time. I want to make clear that while I enjoyed this film and give it 4 stars, because of my faith, I absolutely cannot condone euthanasia or patient suicide.  However, the subject is handled with dignity and sensitivity and makes for a powerful discussion-piece kind of film.  Also, with many of us Baby Boomer/Generation X'ers currently watching our own parents age, Right of Way will probably hit close to home for the bulk of us.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that Right of Way is out on DVD; it is, however, available on VHS, as well as on YouTube (HERE).  I do hope you get a chance to see it, especially if you are a Bette Davis or Jimmy Stewart fan.

Happy viewing!!

The Stratton Story (1949)

The career of baseball pitcher, Monty Stratton, is the basis for 1949's The Stratton Story.  With Jimmy Stewart in the title role, and June Allyson as his wife, this Sam Wood film---which won a Best Writing Academy Award---features Frank Morgan and Agnes Moorehead in supporting roles.

The film begins in Wagner, Texas, in the early 1930's, as cotton farmer, Monty Stratton, is pitching for the local amateur baseball team, the Wagner Wildcats.  Agent Barney Wild (Frank Morgan) happens upon the young man and, impressed, informs him that he has a chance to play baseball professionally.  With Barney promising to do what he can to get him a tryout and his cousin agreeing to take care of the farm, Monty heads west to California, where he meets up with the Chicago White Sox.

The Sox are impressed enough to offer Monty a contract, and after a bit of a rough start, he settles in and becomes not only an all-star, but the leading right-handed pitcher in the American League.  With coaches making statements such as "What a future that boy's got" and "Right now, I wouldn't trade him for any other pitcher in baseball," Monty enjoys great success in the years 1934-1938.

At the height of his career, though, tragedy strikes, as, while on his property hunting, Monty's gun discharges, sending a bullet into his leg.  In order to save his life, doctors must remove Monty's leg; for a man whose legs are his life, the loss of the limb is a bitter blow, and for a time, Monty is overwhelmingly depressed and without a will to do anything.  Eventually, however, he comes to terms with his handicap and, with a prosthetic leg, seeks to pitch in the big leagues once more.



The Stratton Story isn't a spectacular movie, but it is interesting, touching, and inspiring.  I count it among my top 5 baseball movies.  Jimmy Stewart is terrific in the role, and his chemistry with June Allyson is wonderful.  (The two of them would be paired together twice more---in The Glenn Miller Story and Strategic Air Command.)  I adore both Jimmy and June...although I can never watch a single June Allyson film without hearing "Christopher Columbus" every time she utters a word.  (She is and always will be Little Women's Jo March to me.)

A few real-life baseball players make appearances in this film...Bill Dickey, Gene Bearden, and Jimmy Dykes.

Out on DVD as part of the James Stewart Signature Collection, The Stratton Story ought to be fairly easy to track down.  It is also on the TCM schedule for Sunday, July 21st, at 8:00 a.m. (ET).  If you like Jimmy Stewart, baseball, or inspiring, uplifting stories, you're sure to enjoy this.  I give it 4 stars.

Happy viewing!!

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

Though Doris Day is most commonly associated with musicals and light comedies, she could definitely hold her own (and more!) in dramatic films, as evidenced in Alfred Hitchock's 1956 political thriller, The Man Who Knew Too Much.  Also starring James Stewart, this film is a remake of Mr. Hitchcock's 1933 film of the same name.

Vacationing in French Morocco are Americans Ben and Jo McKenna (Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day) and their young son, Hank.  While on a bus enroute to Marakech, they make the acquaintance of Frenchman, Louis Bernard, and although the man's intrusive questions about their lives are disconcerting to Jo, the McKenna's make plans to meet him for dinner and drinks a bit later.  

After a sinister-looking man comes to his door, however, Mr. Bernard cancels his dinner plans with the McKennas, leaving them to make the acquaintance of a vacationing British couple. Taking to one another immediately, the two couples become friends and even visit an outdoor marketplace together the next morning.

While in the market area, a stabbing takes place, and just before dying, the stabbed man---who turns out to be Louis Bernard---approaches Ben and whispers information about an assassination soon to take place.  Immediately, Ben and Jo are whisked off to the police department, while their new friend offers to keep their son for them.  Although Ben might consider telling the authorities what he knows about Bernard's killing and the man's final message, he is soon made aware that Hank will be harmed if he does.  By the time Ben and Jo return to their hotel (from the police station), Hank has been kidnapped.

It's every parent's worst nightmare, as the McKennas travel from Morocco to England in order to rescue their son, all the while knowing that sometime, somewhere, an assassination will be attempted.  How everything plays out is the balance of the film.



Very suspenseful, with much political intrigue, The Man Who Knew Too Much is an interesting, enjoyable, well-acted film.  Both Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day are extremely believable in their roles, and they play well off each other.  The part of the assassin (Reggie Nalder) is perfectly cast.  With burn scars on his lower face, Mr. Nalder certainly presents a mysterious, almost sinister-looking figure, making him completely perfect for his role.  The Albert Hall scenes are magnificent, with Hitchcock brilliance evidenced throughout.  Finally, there are a couple opportunities to catch Doris Day's lovely, melodious voice, as she sings the film's Academy Award-winning song---"Que Sera Sera." 

Since I have never seen the original version of this film, I can't compare the two.  However, I really enjoyed this and am giving it 4 out of 5 stars.  Out on DVD, it should be easy to track down.

Happy viewing!!

I Am Eating My Words...a Bit

Well, my dear blog friends, I am finding myself eating my words a wee bit with regard to nearly everyone's favorite Alfred Hitchcock film---Rear Window.  As many of  you already know, I have admitted to not liking that film.  Yes, I know I am completely out of step with nearly every classic movie fan on the planet, but I just don't like it.  Oh, it has never been one of my 1-star, "hate it" films; rather, since my first viewing of it 3 or 4 years ago, it has been a 2-star, "don't like it" for me, for the sole reason that  I just don't happen to think a peeping Tom is a worthy ambition.  (It seems rather sex predator-ish to me.)  I could never root for a man who spied on this neighbors, and I kept wondering how I would feel if one of my neighbors looked through his binoculars at every house on the block.  I am even out of step with my own family, as they like the film; when I complain about the peeping Tom aspect, my always-joking son tells me "it is the neighborhood watch program in action."

With yesterday being the 30th anniversary of Grace Kelly's death, our family decided to enjoy one of her films last night.  Though I was hoping for The Country Girl (and, thus, a William Holden fix), the majority of my family was clamoring for Rear Window.  Being the trooper that I am, I decided to go with the flow, and you know what---I actually found myself moving from 2 to 3 stars. I still don't like the fact that a Peeping Tom is a "hero," and I still would be greatly unsettled if one of my neighbors was focusing his binoculars on my house, but I recognize that the story is interesting and exciting, that the direction is fantastic, that the chemistry between the leads is perfect, that the wit of Thelma Ritter is terrific, and that Grace Kelly is her classy, elegant, beautiful self.

So, my friends, I wanted to let you know that when it comes to the beloved Rear Window, I am eating my words just a little bit.  While it will never be my favorite Alfred Hitchcock film, the fact that I've gone from 2 stars, "don't like it," to 3 stars, "like it okay" is rather huge.  I'm not quite so out of step anymore.

Call Northside 777 (4 stars)

Based on a true story, Call Northside 777 is a 1948 drama directed by Henry Hathaway and starring James Stewart, with Richard Conte and Lee J. Cobb taking on supporting roles.  In honor of Mr. Conte's March 24th birthday, I took a break from the Garfield, Crawford, Brent, and Heflin films which have been occupying me this month and enjoyed a re-watch of this film.  I was then inspired to learn a bit about the actual case upon which the story is based.

With Prohibition in full force, violent gangster activity has taken over Chicago, and in December, 1932, the 8th police killing of the year takes place in a speakeasy in the Polish district. Fronting as a grocery store, the speakeasy is owned by Wanda Skutnik, who is talking with a police officer in her back room when two masked men enter, shoot the officer, then make a hasty exit.  Witnesses finger two unemployed men---Frank Wiecek (Richard Conte) and Tomek Zaleska, and very soon, the men are indicted and brought to trial.

Identified by Miss Skutnik as the men who entered her store, Wiecek and Zaleska receive convictions and sentences of 99 years.

Eleven years later, in October, 1944, a small advertisement appears in the Chicago newspaper.  Offering a $5,000 reward for information about the shooting of Officer Bundy, the tiny ad provides the contact phone number of Northside 777.  Curious as to who would be interested in an eleven year-old case which has already been solved, Chicago Times editor Brian Kelly (Lee J. Cobb) puts reporter Jim "Mac" McNeal (James Stewart) on the story.

Finding that the ad was placed by Tillie Wiecek---mother of the convicted Frank---McNeal pays her a visit.  Convinced her son could never have committed such a crime, Mrs. Wiecek has scrubbed floors all these years---saving every penny she could---so as to earn reward money which may provide new evidence in the case. Though Mac doesn't share the woman's belief in Frank's innocence, he nevertheless realizes he has just been provided with a great human interest story---which may well increase circulation; therefore, he writes a feature piece about Mrs. Wiecek's faith in her son.   As expected, the public response to the story is extremely positive, which causes Mac to continue pumping out articles about the case.

Eventually, after going to the penitentiary and meeting with Frank and doing a bit of investigation, Mac comes to believe that Wiecek truly is innocent.  He commits himself to pursuing one lead after another until Frank is exonerated.  How it all plays out is the balance of the film.

Call Northside 777 is a very interesting, exciting film----all the more so because it is based on actual events.  Rather than just a fictional man languishing in prison eleven years for a crime he didn't commit, this is the story of a very real man---a man who lost eleven years of his life...and who, but for the courage and dedication of a news reporter, may have lost dozens more years as well.  The acting in the movie is very good...very believable.

For more information about the real story upon which Call Northside 777 is based, HERE is a link to an interesting piece written by a Chicago Tribune reporter back in 2009.  He links to several other fascinating articles.  While the movie took liberties with the true story, the basic facts were not altered.

The film is out on DVD, so it should be easy to track down.  Additionally, it is on the TCM schedule for Sunday, April 8th, at 8:00 p.m. (ET).  It is also available on YouTube in several different parts.

Happy viewing!!