POT O'GOLD (United Artists, 1941), directed by George Marshall, is not exactly a luck of the Irish fantasy about a leprechaun and his pot of gold, but a forgotten yet unsuccessful musical with title derived from a popular radio program. POT O'GOLD also has the distinction of being both presented and produced for the only time by James Roosevelt, older son of the then current United States president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Independently made, it also has the distinction of starring not two newcomers on the rise but two major actors on loan-out assignment from their home base studios, James Stewart (from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) and Paulette Goddard (from Paramount). Other than being the movie debut of band-leader, Horace Heidt, it has little to offer except for the presence of recent Academy Award winner, James Stewart, in what he claimed to be his worst movie. Maybe not his very worst, except only when watching bad reproductive copies on video or DVD, but one of his lesser contributions with fine actors performing to second-rate script with third-rate songs to boot.The story revolves around James Hamilton Haskell (James Stewart), a harmonica player who has inherited his late father's music store. Because business is failing, his rich uncle, Charles J. Haskell (Charles Winninger), sponsor of the weekly radio program, "Haskell's Happiness Hour," offers Jimmy the opportunity of going into business with him. As much as Jimmy loves music, his uncle detests it, especially when his establishment happens to be across the alley of Mrs. McCorkle's (Mary Gordon) boardinghouse on 419 63rd Street where Horace Heidt and his band play their music on the rooftop. As Jimmy arrives to meet with his uncle, he encounters Mrs. McCorkle's daughter, Molly (Paulette Goddard), singer of the band, who, during a disruption between the McCorkles and the Haskills, unwittingly throws a tomato at his uncle's face, thus, becoming a hero to the McCorkles and tenants of the building. As Jimmy tries to hide his identity from Molly and her friends, he attempts on helping the music makers by having them appear on his uncle's radio program without his knowledge.Other members of the cast include: Frank Melton (Jasper); Dick Hogan (Willie McCorkle); Jed Prouty (J.K. Louderman); James Burke (Officer Grady); and Charles Arnt (Parks, the Butler). Notable performance goes to Mary Gordon in another one of many stereotypical strong-willed Irish mother/landlady; Charles Winninger playing a sort of role he's done hundreds of times before, with the only exception of not being an entertainer who feels vaudeville will be making a comeback; and future TV personality, Art Carney Ed Norton of "The Honeymooners") briefly playing an announcer during the radio giveaway segment.Though Stewart is not actually associated with musicals, interestingly POT O'GOLD happens to be his fourth, and second for which he sings a song or two. The motion picture soundtrack, with tunes by unfamiliar composers as Lou Forbes, Henry Sucher, Dave Franklin, Mark David and Vee Lawnhurst, is as follows "Hi Cy," "Pete, the Piper Man" (sung by Paulette Goddard); "By the Moonlight," "When Johnny Toots His Horn" (sung by James Stewart); "Hail, McCorkle," "A Knife, a Fork and a Spoon," "My Irish Stew," "Oh, Boarder House," "Do You Believe in Fairy Tales?" (sung by band members, later sung by James Stewart during dream sequence); and "The Caballero from Broadway." Of the songs, "The Cavallero from Broadway" gets the production number treatment, choreographed by Larry Ceballos. A lively tune and well staged, it's something best appreciated from the standpoint of the story for television as opposed to listening radio audience who couldn't very well see what they are hearing, otherwise the score is a far cry from being Irving Berlin, Cole Porter or a George Gershwin. I doubt is any one of these composers would ever consider such title songs as "A Knife, A Fork and a Spoon" and make a success of it.While POT O'GOLD reportedly began its broadcasting on television during its earliest years before disappearing by the mid 1950s, it wasn't until the advent of cable television and home video did POT O GOLD, having become a public domain movie title, began to find a new audience by the early 1980s, especially on public television. In later years, it's turned up on many cable channels, notably in recent years on Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: April 14, 2007).POT O GOLD may not win any jackpot as a sort-after movie musical classic, but a curiosity for those interested in the careers of its major leading players, especially that of Jimmy Stewart. (***)

James 'Jimmy' Stewart once, reportedly, said that he considered Pot o' Gold his worst film. Well it is certainly nowhere near among his best work (one of his weakest actually) and it is kind of easy to see why he would think that. But even lesser Stewart is worth seeing, even if it is only once, because Stewart was that good an actor.Pot o' Gold's biggest debit is the story. There is very little to it structurally and it does struggle to sustain the running time, which is not that long. It could also have done with some tightening up with some parts that felt creaky and forced. Stewart and Paulette Goddard I felt did lack romantic chemistry, apart from the odd charming moment it felt more clinical than natural and tender and it did seem like they weren't that fond of one another.Scripting-wise, Pot o' Gold has mixed results. A good deal of it is witty and quite funny, and there is a likeably feel-good honesty. Other parts however are a touch hokey and contrived, as if they were really to raise laughs but were struggling to do so, and crisper timing and more freshness might have helped.It is a good-looking film though. It is not exactly lavish and there are times where it looks like it was made quickly, but on the most part it does look pretty and like it was made with professionalism, so it hardly looks cheap. Also loved the film's quaint period charm. The music score has the appropriate amount of whimsy, and the songs, while not the most memorable for a musical, are tuneful, energetic and enough to leave the feet tapping. Do You Believe in Fairy Tales and With a Knife, a Fork and a Spoon (don't worry, the song is not as silly as the title sounds) are particularly fun. The choreography is spirited and doesn't try to do anything too complicated (neither does it get simplistic), also managing to keep within the lightweight feel of the rest of the film. The dream sequences are imaginatively surreal and colourful, without being too heavy-handed or inappropriate.George Marshall's direction is lively and does a good job keeping the film light and bouncy. While not always working, the humour is mostly feel-good, witty and honest, and the film does have a sweet charm regardless of the story's flaws. Stewart has a great easy-going charisma and a sparkling twinkle, and acquits himself reasonably well in the singing department, and Goddard, who is much better than she was in Second Chorus, is beautiful and fiery. Good amusing support too from Charles Winniger (particularly excellent) and Mary Gordon, and while there could have been a little less of him Horace Heidt does fine too and is in no way a liability.To summarise, Pot o' Gold passes the time more than amiably and is a decent enough film, but, considering Stewart's calibre as a personal favourite actor of mine and as a fan of musicals, this viewer was hoping for more. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Good picker upper style film. Classic Stewart. Reminded me of You Can't Take it With You. I was watching this as part of a 2 sided DVD. With Made For Each Other. Which isn't really a comedy. But Pot O Gold, rather hilarious. Especially when Stewart finds out who he really hit with that tomato. :) Get the feeling a few people wound up on It's a Wonderful Life. But can't tell. All in all well worth the $1 I paid for it. Probably would but it on a $10 version too. The only real complaint is the movie is a bit on the short side. I would disagree with a few here saying it's not worth their time. There's quite a few movies out there that aren't worth my time, this isn't one of them.Full rating: 6/10 Quality: 4/10 Entertainment 7/10 Replayable: 5/10

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.