The Jackpot (1950)

James Stewart, Barbara Hale, Natalie Wood, Fred Clark, James Gleason ... see more  , Patricia Medina , Alan Mowbray , Tommy Rettig , Robert Gist , Lyle Talbot , Charles Tannen , Bigelow Sayre , Dick Cogan , Jewel Rose , Eddie Firestone , Estelle Etterre , Claude Stroud , Caryl Lincoln , Joan Miller , Walter S. Baldwin , Sid Saylor , John Qualen , Fritz Feld , Kathrun Sheldon , Robert Dudley , Billy Wayne , Minerva Urecal , Milton Parsons , Kim Spalding , Dulce Daye , Andrew Tombes , Jay Barney , Robert Bice , John Bleifer , Harry Carter , Ken Christy , Dick Curtis , Ann Doran , Sam Edwards , Elizabeth Flournoy , Jerry Hausner , Harry Hines , Marjorie Holliday , Billy Nelson , Peggy O'Connor , Tudor Owen , Franklin Parker , Jack Roper , John Roy , Carol Savage , Philip Van Zandt , Colin Ward , Billy Lechner , George Conrad , Guy Way , Jack Mather

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 ... read more 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. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi