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.

glcody26 I have a Super 8 Sound print of this gem, and it has been an audience favorite for years at my "Movie Nights"-- no figuring out an involved, complicated plot-- Jimmy is a nice guy, Paulette is gorgeous, and the movie mesmerizes the audience with the corny comedy, predictable outcomes and more than memorable music (who can forget "With a Knife, A Fork, and A Spoon"?) This is Hollywood escapism to the Nth degree-- songs that work, sets that satisfy and a story line as simple as a Hallmark card, all of it embellished with two young and energetic stars surrounded by the musical genius of Horace Heidt and his crew. I haven't screened this one in years, but I plan to show it soon enough--a perfect example of why movies always beat reality.

Art Daane A musical comedy that could withstand any other production since it was done straight forward in front of the cameras and no dubbing was used. It's therefore a remarkable production. It's a pity that no comment has been given on the part of James Stewart's handling the harmonica in such an excellent way. It was Jerry Adler, the younger brother of Larry, that taught James how to hold the harmonica in a professional way. One would think he is really playing himself. As a harmonica player myself, I was disappointed by the fact that the harmonica band were stand-in players, and not the real "Cappy Barra Harmonica Band." Overall an excellent and entertaining movie with some of the best musicians in the business at that time.

Michael O'Keefe Jimmy Haskell(James Stewart)owns a small music store that is failing and when the shop is sold, his rich Uncle C.J.(Charles Winninger)urges Jimmy to come work for him. Instead of going to work in the food packing factory, Jimmy finds himself joining a neighborhood band. If only the band could play on the radio show the elder Haskell sponsors...well, you know the rest. Jimmy and his Uncle C.J. mend their relationship. Boy falls in love with pretty girl and the band get to play on nationwide radio. Clean, wholesome fun with music and slight comedy. Other cast members: the lovely Paulette Goddard, Mary Gordon, Frank Melton and Horace Heidt.