THE JACKPOT
US, 1950, 85 minutes, Black and white.
James Stewart, Barbara Hale, James Gleason, Fred Clark, Alan Mowbray, Patricia Medina, Natalie Wood, Tommy Rettig, Lyle Talbot.
Directed by Walter Lang.
Jackpot is a popular American comedy from the late 40s, early 1950s, a pleasant star vehicle for James Stewart is an ordinary American middle American husband, father, work in a store. It reflects the situation of post-war USA, aspects of the economy, making ends meet, jobs – and the dream of winning prizes.
However, the dream is short lived as the taxman turns up demanding $7000 in tax and our hero is forced to sell a lot of the prizes, trying in the stall but then fired by his boss, attempting to get rid of the diamond ring with shady characters in Chicago and being arrested. Barbara Hale, to be Perry Masons Della Street, plays the wife and young Natalie Wood and the young Tommy Rettig are the two children. Patricia Medina plays an artist, who is part of the prize, but the wife become suspicious of the artist. James Gleason is a friendly journalist who helps out our hero; Fred Clark is the boss; Alan Mao brain is the interior decorator who is also part of the prize.
Water Lane West and adapt direct many musicals at 20th Century Fox, including The King and I. The screenplay was written by award-winning Henry and Phoebe Ephron.
1. A popular 1950s comedy? Post-war? The American economy, family life, workplace? Seeing now in retrospect? New
2. black-and-white photography, the musical score, Harry James on radio, the strong cast?
3. James Stewart, his screen presence, as Bill, his age, background, Midwestern, at the store, his boss, relationship with his wife, the two children, managing?
4. The quiz, the radio, winning the prize, the Jackpot? The range of prizes: $24,000 worth? A side of beef, 7500 cans of soup, 1000 fruit trees, Palomino pony, portable swimming pool, diamond ring, French maid, interior decorator and portrait painter.
5. The tax authorities, billing debt, the repercussions for his wife and children? The details of family life?
6. Trying to sell goods are stored, the reaction of his boss, being fired? The comedy of his trying to fence the ring in Chicago, the arrest?
7. The domestic situation, Bill’s wife, suspicions of Hilder, her place in the household, artist?
8. The French with Harry, journalist, writing the articles, influential in helping Bill?
9. The happy resolution?
