Zeus

The Jackpot (1950)

• Director
  • Walter Lang
• Writers
  • John McNulty(New Yorker article)
  • Phoebe Ephron(screenplay)
  • Henry Ephron(screenplay)
• Stars
  • James Stewart
  • Barbara Hale
  • James Gleason

  The Jackpot is a generally pleasing satire of quiz programs. James Stewart stars as Bill Lawrence, an average Joe who picks up the phone one day, answers a simple question, and suddenly finds himself the recipient of a radio quiz-show jackpot. Tons of prizes are shipped to Lawrence's house, to the delight of his wife Amy (Barbara Hale) and his kids. Unfortunately, the Lawrences must now contend with the income tax folks, who levy huge tariffs on their "free" prizes. Complications begin piling up with dizzying rapidity, resulting in a night in the hoosegow for the befuddled Mr. Lawrence. Featured in The Jackpot as the Lawrence children are a couple of stars-in-the-making: Natalie Wood and Tommy Rettig.