The Millionaire (1931 film)
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 called 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 earliest film roles, James Cagney had a brief but key appearance.
Plot
Wealthy car manufacturer James Alden (George Arliss) is forced to retire by his physician, Dr. Harvey (J. C. Nugent). However, idleness soon bores him. He takes the advice of brash life insurance salesman Schofield (James Cagney) and buys half interest in a gas station from Peterson (Noah Beery) without telling his wife Laura (real-life spouse Florence Arliss) or socialite daughter Barbara 'Babs' Alden (Evalyn Knapp). As he is known nationwide, he uses the alias Charles Miller.
He and new partner William 'Bill' Merrick (David Manners) 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 $1000 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.
The Millionaire
The Millionaire may refer to:
See also
The Millionaire (1947 film)
The Millionaire (German:Der Millionär or Geld ins Haus) is a 1947 German comedy film directed by Robert A. Stemmle and starring Hans Moser, Annie Rosar and Hans Holt. It was made by the Munich-based Bavaria Film. The film was shot during the final stages of the Second World War, but wasn't released until 1947.
The film's art direction was by Hans Sohnle.
Cast
The Millionaire (TV series)
The Millionaire is an American anthology series that aired on CBS from 1955 to 1960 originally sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive. The series explored the ways sudden and unexpected wealth changed life for better or for worse and became a five-season hit during the Golden Age of Television, finishing in the Nielsen ratings at #9 for the 1955-1956 season, #13 in 1956-1957, #17 in 1957-1958 and #30 in 1958-1959. It told the stories of people who were given one million dollars from a benefactor who insisted they never know him, with one exception. The series was known in syndication by two titles—The Millionaire, and as If You Had a Million.
The 1932 film If I Had A Million had a similar plot to this TV show.
The benefactor
The benefactor was named John Beresford Tipton, Jr. Viewers heard his voice, making observations and giving instructions; they saw only his arm as he reached for a cashier's check for one million dollars each week and handed it to Michael Anthony, his executive secretary. It was Anthony's job to deliver that check to its intended recipient.
Podcasts:
