Das große Los (1940)
21KDas große Los: Directed by Preston Sturges. With Dick Powell, Ellen Drew, Raymond Walburn, Alexander Carr. When the co-workers of an ambitious clerk trick him into thinking he has won $25,000 in a slogan contest, he begins to use the money to fulfill his dreams. What will happen when the ruse is discovered?
“Coffee company clerk Dick Powell (as Jimmy MacDonald) enters a sloganeering contest with the catchphrase: u0026quot;If You Canu0026#39;t Sleep at Night, It Isnu0026#39;t the Coffee, Itu0026#39;s the Bunk!u0026quot; Mr. Powell thinks the slogan is as u0026quot;clear as crystal,u0026quot; but pretty, pragmatic girlfriend Ellen Drew (as Betty Casey) is unmoved. Although his slogan is confusing, Powell is optimistic about winning the $25,000 prize. The next day, Powell is anxious to learn if heu0026#39;s won the contest; and, three of his practical-joking co-workers send him a phony telegram stating, u0026quot;We take great pleasure in informing you that your slogan has won the twenty-five thousand dollar first prize u0026quot; u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003ePowell excitedly picks up his prize, from cantankerous Raymond Walburn (as Maxford), who doesnu0026#39;t know his executives havenu0026#39;t yet picked the winner. Powell plans his wedding to Ms. Drew, and buys gifts for most of the people in his lower-class neighborhood. Drew says heu0026#39;s spending money like itu0026#39;s u0026quot;Christmas in July.u0026quot; Then, the prank is discovered u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWriter/director Sturgesu0026#39; bright satire is still amusing, after all these years. Like u0026quot;Maxwell Houseu0026quot; coffee, itu0026#39;s u0026quot;Good to the Last Dropu0026quot; – perhaps, the story could be revised, for the u0026quot;Starbucksu0026quot; era (many of the Sturges lines donu0026#39;t need changing). The supporting players – Mr. Walburn (Maxford), Alexander Carr (Schindel), William Demarest (Bildocker), Ernest Truex (Baxter), and others – are excellent.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e******** Christmas in July (10/18/40) Preston Sturges ~ Dick Powell, Ellen Drew, Raymond Walburn”
