Hubbry Logo
The JackpotThe JackpotMain
Open search
The Jackpot
Community hub
The Jackpot
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
The Jackpot
The Jackpot
The Jackpot
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

The Jackpot
Directed byWalter Lang
Written byHenry Ephron
Phoebe Ephron
Produced bySamuel G. Engel
StarringJames Stewart
Barbara Hale
James Gleason
Fred Clark
Alan Mowbray
Patricia Medina
Natalie Wood
Tommy Rettig
Robert Gist
Lyle Talbot
CinematographyJoseph LaShelle
Edited byJ. Watson Webb Jr.
Music byLionel Newman
Production
company
Distributed byTwentieth Century-Fox
Release dates
  • November 8, 1950 (1950-11-08) (Los Angeles)[1]
  • November 22, 1950 (1950-11-22) (New York)[2]
Running time
87 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1,525,000[3][4]

The Jackpot is a 1950 American comedy film directed by Walter Lang, with James Stewart and Barbara Hale in the lead roles and featuring a young Natalie Wood.

The screenplay is based on a John McNulty article titled "The Jackpot" that was published in The New Yorker on February 19, 1949. The story concerns the true experiences of James P. Caffrey of Wakefield, Rhode Island who won $24,000 worth of merchandise on the CBS radio quiz program Sing It Again.[5]

Plot

[edit]

Indiana family man Bill Lawrence awakens from a fantastic dream to face the reality of his humdrum life as an employee at a struggling department store. He receives a random phone call from a representative of the Name the Mystery Husband radio quiz program inquiring about his availability and willingness to participate as a contestant later that evening. Bill is incredulous that the call is legitimate but his wife convinces him that it may be real, and soon their many friends become excited about the prospect. Bill receives a tip that the correct answer will be either bandleader Harry James or writer Charles MacArthur.

That evening, when the phone rings several times, Bill becomes increasingly nervous, and when the quiz program calls, Bill accidentally falls down the stairs and is barely able to speak. When the cryptic question, in the form of a quote, is asked of him, Bill flips a coin and correctly responds that the mystery husband is Harry James. Bill wins $24,000 worth of merchandise ranging from the useful to the absurd, including a side of beef, 7,500 cans of soup, 1,000 fruit trees, a Palomino pony, a portable swimming pool, a diamond ring, a French maid, an interior decorator and Greenwich Village portrait painter Hilda Jones.

Bill is later informed that he must sell the prizes in order to pay an income tax of $7,000. When he tries to raise the money by selling the merchandise at the department store, his boss fires him. When he tries to fence the diamond ring in Chicago, he is arrested. His wife suspects him of having an affair with Hilda. Dealing with these problems, he receives help from reporter Harry Summers, who had been writing newspaper articles about Bill and his winnings. Harry verifies his identity with the police and drives him home.

Lawrence laments winning the prizes. He arrives home and finds his home redecorated, and he packs his clothes and leaves, bunking with Harry. Hilda delivers the portrait of Amy, telling her that it was a surprise from Bill. A. lawyer arrives and speaks with Bill, who has returned. The lawyer gives him $5,000 for the diamond ring on behalf of the man who took it just prior to his arrest.

Mr. Woodruff arrives to rehire him as vice president of his store, but Lawrence strikes him and they are both knocked unconscious. Lawrence is rehired and his life returns to normal. The phones rings as Harry has set up a second attempt, as a joke, for Lawrence to win a prize. He employs colorful language to inform the caller that he is not interested.

Cast

[edit]

Bandleader Harry James has a cameo as radio announcer.

Reception

[edit]

In a contemporary review for The New York Times, critic Bosley Crowther wrote:

Of the three or four bona fide farces that have come along this year (and we use that expression to distinguish from the fizzles and the unintentional ones), this manifest of the tribulations of a fellow who names the "mystery voice" and is deluged with fantastic prizes is by far the funniest. And in it our old friend, James Stewart—he of the homespun looks and the slow-poke ways—gives one of the most amusing performances of his career. ... [T]he hilarity becomes so intense that all you can think about sanely is preserving your jeopardized seams. ... [E]verything is managed in the most delightfully droll and clever style, thanks to an excellent creation in the comic vein by Twentieth Century-Fox. Phoebe and Henry Ephron have done a dandy script from a true-life story by John McNulty that appeared in The New Yorker magazine. Walter Lang has directed it briskly and the cast has played it so well that everyone deserves a mention, if not a whole paragraph. Mr. Stewart, of course, deserves the first one. He is what you might safely call superb with his slow takes, his beaming amazements and his sudden explosions of wrath.[2]

Critic Philip K. Scheuer of the Los Angeles Times wrote:

It is possible the picture could have had more fun with the more outlandish of the gifts; but that would have necessitated a broader approach and the outright substitution of slapstick comedians for the fairly polite farceurs employed by 20th Century-Fox. Walter Lang, in his direction, follows a reasonably legitimate course throughout, though be cannot resist allowing Master Stewart to take a couple of Involuntary pratfalls down the stairs. When the humorous possibilities of the bonanza are well on their way to being exhausted, the writers apply first-aid complications ... These complications are more in the conventional Hollywood line but by then "The Jackpot" has paid off in laughs by a safe margin. It is 20th's happiest inspiration since "When Willie Comes Marching Home."[1]

Adaptations

[edit]

A radio adaptation starring Stewart, broadcast on April 26, 1951 on NBC's Screen Directors Playhouse, received much press coverage because Stewart's costar was Margaret Truman in her debut as a radio actress. Her performance received middling reviews but she noted that her father enjoyed the broadcast.[6]

Awards

[edit]

Screenwriters Henry and Phoebe Ephron, the parents of future writer and director Nora Ephron, were nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award.

Home media

[edit]

The film was released as a manufacture-on-demand DVD as part of the 20th Century Fox Cinema Archives on December 6, 2012.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Jackpot

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Jackpot is a American directed by Walter Lang and produced by 20th Century Fox, in which suburban everyman Bill Lawrence unexpectedly wins a $24,000 jackpot in assorted household prizes on a radio show, only to grapple with a hefty bill and the logistical nightmares of managing the influx of . Starring in the lead role as Bill, alongside as his wife , the film humorously explores the pitfalls of sudden windfalls through a series of escalating mishaps, including prize storage issues, marital strains, and encounters with eccentric characters. Released in November , the black-and-white picture runs 85 minutes and features a young in a supporting role as the Lawrences' daughter, Phyllis. Adapted from John McNulty's 1949 New Yorker article of the same name, which recounts the real-life ordeal of quiz show winner James P. Caffrey, the screenplay by and Phoebe Ephron captures the era's fascination with radio contests and postwar consumer abundance turned burdensome. The story unfolds as Bill's initial elation sours upon learning of the $7,000 tax obligation, prompting frantic efforts to off prizes like a ton of canned , a , and a palomino pony, which disrupt family life and draw unwanted attention from authorities and opportunists. Supporting performances by as Bill's pragmatic boss and as a skeptical add layers of dry wit to the proceedings, while visual gags involving overflowing garages and bewildered neighbors highlight the film's influences. Though not a blockbuster, The Jackpot exemplifies Stewart's knack for portraying relatable, flustered protagonists in lighthearted domestic comedies, bridging his work in films like It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and later Westerns. A radio aired on April 26, 1951, with Stewart reprising his role opposite , underscoring the story's appeal in the early broadcast era. Modern audiences have rated it favorably for its timeless on and , earning a 62% audience score on based on over 100 reviews.

Synopsis and Cast

Plot

Bill Lawrence, an ordinary employee and , participates in the radio quiz show "Name the Mystery Husband" and unexpectedly wins a jackpot valued at $24,000 in merchandise prizes. Among the absurd assortment are a , a deep freeze, a mink coat, a , a new car, a palomino pony, a ton of canned beef, and numerous other household goods that arrive unannounced at his home in Glenville, . James Stewart portrays Bill as a relatable thrust into sudden, overwhelming fortune. The influx of prizes quickly turns the Lawrence household into a chaotic storage facility, with items piling up in every room and spilling into the yard, much to the initial delight of his wife and children and Tommy. Neighborhood complaints mount as the unsightly accumulation disrupts the quiet suburb, forcing Bill to improvise storage solutions like renting a garage and negotiating with reluctant . Comedic mishaps abound, such as the that incessantly plays tunes at all hours, driving the family to distraction and prompting frantic attempts to silence it. Tensions escalate when Bill learns from the IRS that the non-cash winnings are taxable as income, resulting in a staggering $7,000 bill that exceeds his annual salary. Desperate to cover the debt, he begins selling the prizes at a significant loss through classified ads and pawnshops, but lowball offers and logistical nightmares compound the frustration; for instance, the mink coat intended as a gift for Amy sparks marital discord when its sale becomes necessary. In a bid for resolution, Bill organizes a public at his workplace, the Woodruff , where the remaining prizes are displayed and sold off in a frenzied event that draws crowds and media attention. With the tax obligation finally met and the home cleared, the Lawrence family returns to their routine life, wiser to the ironies of unexpected windfalls.

Cast

The principal role of Bill Lawrence, a harried family man and department store employee whose everyday life drives the film's comedic tone, is played by . Barbara Hale portrays Amy Lawrence, Bill's devoted wife who balances supportiveness with frustration, contributing to the relatable domestic humor. appears as Phyllis Lawrence, the family's precocious young daughter, whose wide-eyed innocence injects warmth and levity into the household dynamic. Among the supporting cast, plays Harry Summers, Bill's wisecracking reporter friend whose banter enhances the film's lighthearted camaraderie. Fred Clark is cast as Mr. Andrew J. Woodruff, the stern department store owner whose authoritative demeanor adds tension to the comedic scenarios. features in a notable minor role as Leslie, the flamboyant interior decorator whose eccentric presence amplifies the satirical elements. Bandleader makes an uncredited cameo as himself, performing that underscores the era's upbeat radio culture.

Production

Development

The development of The Jackpot originated from John McNulty's article of the same name, published in The New Yorker on February 19, 1949, which chronicled the real-life misfortunes of James P. Caffrey, a married father from Wakefield, Rhode Island, who won over $24,000 in prizes—ranging from appliances to luxury goods—on the CBS radio quiz show Sing It Again on August 28, 1948, only to grapple with crippling tax liabilities that required selling most of the items at a loss. Twentieth Century quickly acquired the rights to McNulty's piece for $12,500, viewing it as fertile ground for a that captured the ironic pitfalls of sudden windfalls in post-war America. Samuel G. Engel, a Fox veteran with a track record in comedies like Sitting Pretty (1948), selected the property for development, emphasizing its potential to resonate with audiences navigating economic recovery and rising . The studio commissioned husband-and-wife screenwriters Henry and Phoebe Ephron to adapt the article into a feature . The Ephrons fictionalized Caffrey's experience by centering the story on a suburban family man, amplifying the humor through domestic chaos, interpersonal tensions, and exaggerated encounters with authorities and prize distributors, while retaining the core on taxes and material excess. Director Walter Lang, known for his work on family comedies and musicals such as (1945), was attached to the project, guiding pre-production revisions that refined the script's pacing and ensemble focus to suit a brisk, 85-minute runtime. James Stewart's involvement as the lead, leveraging his post-war image as the quintessential American everyman, was instrumental in securing the greenlight and shaping the film's relatable tone.

Filming

Principal photography for The Jackpot commenced on June 19, 1950, and wrapped on July 28, 1950, spanning roughly six weeks during the summer at the 20th Century Fox studios in Los Angeles. The production relied heavily on the studio's soundstages to capture the interior scenes of the Lawrence family home and other domestic settings, while select sequences depicting the delivery of contest prizes incorporated practical elements to enhance realism. The film's comedic elements, drawn from Phoebe and Henry Ephron's screenplay adaptation of John McNulty's New Yorker story, required precise coordination of props such as the oversized among the winnings, presenting logistical hurdles in maneuvering the bulky items on set to support James Stewart's physical humor and timing. Cinematographer Joseph MacDonald shot the picture in black-and-white, opting for standard monochrome stock over color processes like to deliver a sharp, relatable visual style that underscored the everyday suburban chaos. In , editor assembled the footage to preserve the rapid tempo essential to the comedy's rhythm, ensuring seamless transitions between the escalating prize arrivals and family mishaps.

Release and Performance

Distribution

The Jackpot had its world premiere in on November 8, 1950. The production wrapped filming on July 28, 1950, facilitating a timely rollout during the holiday season. Distributed by 20th Century-Fox Film Corp., the film received a wide U.S. theatrical release in late 1950, capitalizing on the era's radio quiz show popularity to appeal to family audiences. With a runtime of 85 minutes, it earned an "Approved" certificate from the Production Code Administration, indicating suitability for general audiences and no significant censorship concerns. Initial international distribution was limited, beginning with releases in markets like on December 14, 1950, and in February 1951.

Box Office

The Jackpot resulted in modest profitability for 20th Century Fox. The film ranked among mid-tier releases from the studio in 1950, drawing audiences through James Stewart's established star appeal while contending with higher-profile holiday season competitors such as and biblical epics. Post-war economic caution in the United States, marked by declining overall cinema attendance from the 1946 peak of $1.7 billion to $1.45 billion by 1949, particularly impacted lighter genres like comedies, as audiences prioritized essential spending amid and labor strikes. Long-term rental fees paid by theaters to the provided ongoing revenue streams beyond the initial run, a common model for films of the era that extended profitability over several years.

Reception and Accolades

Critical Response

Upon its release, The Jackpot received generally positive reviews from major critics, who praised its humorous take on everyday American life and James Stewart's relatable performance. of lauded the film as one of the year's funniest farces, highlighting Stewart's "superb" comic portrayal of an ordinary man overwhelmed by sudden fortune, complete with "slow takes, beaming amazements, and sudden wrathful explosions," while crediting the Ephrons' screenplay for its "delightfully droll and clever style." Similarly, Philip K. Scheuer in the acclaimed the movie's light-hearted exploration of American consumerism, noting how the influx of prizes satirizes the pitfalls of material excess without becoming overly cynical. Some secondary outlets offered mixed feedback; for instance, Variety reviewed the film. In modern reassessments during the , critics have revisited The Jackpot as a charming snapshot of suburban , capturing the era's domestic tensions and the absurdities of post-war affluence. A 2013 review described it as an effective portrayal of middle-class family life unraveling into "three-ring circus" chaos amid woes and overload, reflecting real-life inspirations from a 1949 New Yorker story. Likewise, a 2017 analysis emphasized its witty script and Stewart's "entertaining, relaxed and appealing" charm, positioning the film as a satirical jab at radio giveaways and the burdens of unexpected in mid-century America. Contemporary reviews indicate praise centered on its and Stewart's performance as key to its enduring appeal as a light on suburban dreams.

Awards and Nominations

The Jackpot earned a at the 3rd Writers Guild of America Awards in 1951 for Best Written American Comedy, credited to screenwriters and Phoebe Ephron. The award went to and for Father of the Bride. James Stewart received the Photoplay Award for Best Performance of the Month in December 1950 for his portrayal of Bill Lawrence. The film was also selected as Photoplay's Best Picture of the Month for December 1950. Despite positive notices for its script, The Jackpot received no nominations at the in 1951, including in the writing categories, though the Ephrons' nomination elsewhere highlighted their growing prominence in comedy screenwriting. No technical categories, such as art direction or , yielded recognitions, consistent with the film's modest production values as a . The WGA nod bolstered the Ephrons' profiles, paving the way for their later collaborations on high-profile musicals like (1956) and Daddy Long Legs (1955).

Legacy

Adaptations

The screenplay for The Jackpot was adapted into a for the anthology series [Screen Directors Playhouse](/page/Screen Directors Playhouse), broadcast on April 26, 1951, with reprising his role as Bill Lawrence and as Amy Lawrence. This audio version closely followed the film's plot, emphasizing the comedic chaos of quiz show winnings and their tax complications, and aired as part of NBC's promotion for Hollywood features. No direct sequels, stage plays, or further narrative adaptations of the film have been produced. The story's core theme of sudden windfalls leading to domestic and financial turmoil has echoed in later media, such as the 2005 film The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, which explores similar tropes of prize-winning optimism turning bittersweet through a real-life contestant's experiences.

Home Media

The initial release of The Jackpot occurred on in the late 1980s, distributed by Fox Video. This was followed by a DVD edition in 2012, offered as a manufacture-on-demand title through 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. As of November 2025, the film is not widely available for streaming on major platforms but may be accessible via free services like Plex or user-uploaded content on in select regions. Special features appearing across these formats encompass theatrical trailers, clips from the original radio quiz show inspiration, and selected excerpts from James Stewart's . The film's enduring status has supported these successive re-releases, ensuring ongoing access for home viewers.
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.