The Millionaire is a 1931 all-talking pre-Code comedy film produced and distributed by Warner Bros. and starring George Arliss in the title role. The film is a remake of the 1922 film titled The Ruling Passion, which also starred Arliss. The film was based on the short story "Idle Hands" by Earl Derr Biggers. In one of his early film roles, James Cagney had a brief but key appearance as a life insurance salesman.[2] The supporting cast features Florence Arliss, David Manners, Evalyn Knapp, Noah Beery Sr., Cagney, J. Farrell MacDonald, Charley Grapewin and Tully Marshall.
| The Millionaire | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical Poster | |
| Directed by | John G. Adolfi |
| Written by | Julien Josephson Booth Tarkington Maude T. Howell |
| Based on | Idle Hands 1921 story in The Saturday Evening Post by Earl Derr Biggers |
| Produced by | John G. Adolfi |
| Starring | George Arliss David Manners Evalyn Knapp Florence Arliss James Cagney |
| Cinematography | James Van Trees |
| Edited by | Owen Marks |
| Music by | Alois Reiser |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $283,000[1] |
| Box office | $835,000[1] |
Plot edit
Wealthy car manufacturer James Alden is forced to retire by his physician, Dr. Harvey. However, idleness soon bores him. He takes the advice of brash life insurance salesman Schofield and buys half interest in a gas station from Peterson without telling his wife Laura or socialite daughter Barbara 'Babs' Alden. Because he is known nationwide, he uses the alias Charles Miller.
He and new partner William 'Bill' Merrick quickly discover that they have been swindled. A new highway opens the next day, and Peterson's new gas station takes nearly all their business away. Refusing to give up, James convinces Bill to borrow $1,000 from his aunt to build a new gas station right across the street from Peterson's. Bill is an architect, so he does the design work. With James' business sense, they thrive, while Peterson languishes.
One day, Babs stops at the station for gas. Bill recognizes her (they met once at a dance at the University of Michigan) and starts a conversation. Soon, Babs is a frequent customer. James is secretly pleased because he disapproved of the rich idler she had been dating, Carter Andrews, but publicly he discourages his daughter from seeing someone not of their lofty social rank.
In the end, Peterson buys James and Bill out (at a substantial profit to them). Bill finally works up the courage to speak to Babs' father about marrying her and is stunned to learn his future in-law's identity.
Cast edit
- George Arliss as James Alden / "Charles Miller"
- Florence Arliss as Laura Alden
- David Manners as William "Bill" Merrick
- Evalyn Knapp as Barbara "Babs" Alden
- James Cagney as Schofield
- Bramwell Fletcher as Carter Andrews
- Noah Beery as L. Peterson
- Ivan F. Simpson as Davis, the butler
- J.C. Nugent as Dr. Harvey
- Sam Hardy as "Mac" McCoy
- J. Farrell MacDonald as Dan Lewis
- Charley Grapewin as Edward "Ed" Powers
- Charles E. Evans as The Gardener
- Tully Marshall as Mr Briggs
Box office edit
According to Warner Bros records, the film earned $542,000 domestically and $293,000 foreign.[1]
Preservation status edit
- A print is preserved in the Library of Congress collection.[3]
References edit
- ^ a b c Warner Bros financial information in The William Shaefer Ledger. See Appendix 1, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, (1995) 15:sup1, 1-31 p 11 DOI: 10.1080/01439689508604551
- ^ The AFI Catalog of Feature Films 1893-1993:The Millionaire
- ^ Catalog of Holdings The American Film Institute Collection and The United Artists Collection at The Library of Congress, (<-book title) p.117 c.1978 by The American Film Institute
External links edit
- The Millionaire at the TCM Movie Database
- The Millionaire at IMDb
- The Millionaire at AllMovie
- The Millionaire at the American Film Institute Catalog 1893-1993
