Pocketful of Miracles

'Pocketful of Miracles' is a 1961 American comedy film directed by Frank Capra, starring Burt Lancaster, Hope Lange, and Stella Stevens. The movie is a remake of the 1933 film 'Lady Be Good,' but with a completely different storyline, set in the 1950s. Apple Annie (Betsy Blair), a street beggar, has a habit of deceiving people into giving her money, using her charming and resourceful nature to get what she wants. She lives a simple life with her son, Dodger (Frank Faylen), and has a long-term relationship with a gangster, E.K. Williams (Burt Lancaster). Williams is a notorious New York City gangster who earns his living through various, often illicit, ventures. Annie frequently visits him along with her boyfriend, and though their relationship is informal and based on the understanding of mutual support, the tension between the two seems apparent from time to time. However, Annie's life takes a dramatic turn when Dodger becomes friends with a soldier who claims that Annie's daughter, also named Apple Annie (played by Hermione Baddeley) - a woman Annie had previously claimed abandoned her as an infant - has married royalty in Europe. Annie becomes frantic after hearing the news and feels an overwhelming sense of pride to have a daughter married into royalty. This prompts Annie to try to better her life and that of her son, despite her own background, and with the intention of being accepted into the royal circle. E.K. Williams is convinced by Annie's story of her daughter's new life and offers to arrange for Annie and the gang to be dressed up in an attempt to gain an invitation for Annie to the daughter's wedding. Their plan requires Dodger to go to Europe to meet with Annie's daughter and to confirm the story, but things become complicated once he gets there. Dodger struggles with adapting to the luxurious lifestyle and finds himself torn between the desire to enjoy the royal treatment and his genuine concern for Annie's honesty. Upon realizing her daughter is indeed married to the Prince of Luxembourg, Annie is initially welcomed by the royal couple. As she prepares for her new life as a high-class member of society, Annie and the gang try to adapt to their new surroundings, but it quickly becomes clear that their actions may damage the credibility of Annie's daughter. As the story unfolds, Dodger and Annie become increasingly entangled in a series of events that threaten to expose Annie's deception and her relationship to the royal family. The movie's central theme is the nature of honesty, specifically whether it is necessary to be truthful about one's circumstances in order to gain the approval and respect of others. Ultimately, 'Pocketful of Miracles' is a feel-good comedy, celebrating the spirit of generosity, the kindness of strangers, and the importance of being genuine. The movie is rich in nostalgic charm and offers an insightful commentary on the intricacies of class and social mobility during the Eisenhower era.