The Happiest Millionaire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Happiest Millionaire |
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1967 Theatrical poster
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| Directed by | Norman Tokar |
| Produced by | Walt Disney Bill Anderson |
| Screenplay by | A. J. Carothers |
| Story by | A. J. Carothers |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Jack Elliott |
| Cinematography | Edward Colman |
| Editing by | Cotton Warburton |
| Studio | Walt Disney Productions |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
| Release date(s) | June 23, 1967 (Hollywood premiere)November 30, 1967 (Radio City Music Hall) |
| Running time | 164 minutes (Los Angeles premiere) 144 minutes (New York City premiere) 118 minutes (General release) 172 minutes (Director's Cut) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $5 million |
| Money made | $5 million (U.S./Canada rentals) |
The Happiest Millionaire is a fun musical film from 1967. It stars Fred MacMurray and tells the true story of a unique millionaire from Philadelphia named Anthony J. Drexel Biddle. This film has catchy songs by the famous Sherman Brothers, who also wrote music for many other Disney movies. It was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Costume Design for its amazing costumes! The movie's story is based on a book called My Philadelphia Father by Cordelia Drexel Biddle, who was Anthony Biddle's daughter. Walt Disney himself started making this movie, but sadly, he passed away while it was being made. It was the last live-action musical he produced.
What's the Story About?
The story begins in the autumn of 1916. A young Irish immigrant named John Lawless (Tommy Steele) comes to work as a butler for the very unusual Anthony J. Drexel Biddle (Fred MacMurray) and his family in Philadelphia. Even though the Biddle family is a bit strange, John quickly realizes he fits right in. Mr. Biddle likes him immediately!
Mr. Biddle is a very busy man. He runs a special "Biddle Boxing and Bible School" in his stable. He also keeps alligators in his greenhouse! He is very eager for America to join World War I in Europe, even though the government wants to stay neutral. His wife, Cordelia (Greer Garson), calmly accepts all his quirks with pride. Their two sons, Tony and Livingston, head off to boarding school. Their daughter, Cordy (Lesley Ann Warren), is a tomboy who loves to box. She was taught at home and hasn't met many people her age. Cordy feels a bit stuck and wants to see more of the world outside their big home.
Mr. Biddle finally agrees to let Cordy go to boarding school after she and his Aunt Mary (Gladys Cooper) convince him. At school, Cordy's roommate teaches her how to be more "girly" and attract boys. At a dance, Cordy meets Angier Buchanan Duke (John Davidson) and they fall in love. Angie tells Cordy he is fascinated by the new automobiles. He wants to go to Detroit, Michigan, to make his own fortune there, instead of taking over his family's tobacco business.
That winter, Cordy returns home and tells her parents she is engaged! At first, Mr. Biddle finds it hard to accept that his little girl is growing up. But after meeting Angie and seeing his Jiu Jitsu skills, Mr. Biddle likes him and agrees to the marriage. Cordy and Angie then travel to New York City to meet Angie's mother (Geraldine Page). Soon, both families are busy planning a very grand wedding.
It's now spring 1917. Angie's mother often makes rude comments, which makes Cordy angry. Also, the families' huge wedding plans make both Cordy and Angie feel left out. Things get worse when Cordy learns that Angie has given up his dream of going to Detroit. He's decided to join his family's business instead, just like his mother wanted. Cordy gets very angry and calls off the wedding, thinking Angie is a "mama's boy." Angie storms out of the house. Both families are very upset. Mr. Biddle sends John Lawless to find Angie.
John finds Angie at a tavern, wondering what to do next. John tries to convince Angie to go back to Cordy. But Angie is stubborn and talks about joining the French Foreign Legion. Angie accidentally starts a bar fight (with a little help from John) and ends up in jail.
The next morning, Mr. Biddle comes to bail Angie out. He tells Angie that he needs to forget his own dreams and accept his place in the family business. This makes Angie realize he should follow his dreams! He decides to defy his mother and elope with Cordy to Detroit. Cordy, however, thinks her father talked Angie into it. To prove he's serious, Angie picks Cordy up, throws her over his shoulder, and carries her out of the jail. All the other people in jail cheer as they leave to start their new life together!
Later, Mr. and Mrs. Biddle return home. A group of Marines arrives to tell Mr. Biddle he is now a "provisional captain" in the Marine Corps. He is needed immediately at Parris Island to train new recruits, now that America is finally joining the war. Mr. Biddle is thrilled and accepts with joy, as his Bible Boxing Class suddenly appears to congratulate him! The movie ends with a car, likely carrying Cordy and Angie, driving towards a city skyline filled with factories, heading towards their new life in Detroit.
Meet the Characters
Here are the main actors and the characters they play in "The Happiest Millionaire":
- Fred MacMurray as Anthony J. Drexel Biddle
- Greer Garson as Cordelia Biddle
- Gladys Cooper as Aunt Mary
- Geraldine Page as Mrs. Duke
- Tommy Steele as John Lawless
- Hermione Baddeley as Mrs. Worth
- John Davidson as Angier Buchanan Duke
- Lesley Ann Warren as Cordy
- Paul Petersen as Tony
- Eddie Hodges as Livingston
- Joyce Bulifant as Rosemary
- Sean McClory as Police Sgt.
- Jim McMullan as Lt. Powell
- William Wellman Jr. as Lt. Grayson
- Aron Kincaid as Walter Blakely
- Larry Merrill as Charlie Taylor
- Frances Robinson as Aunt Gladys
