The Happiest Millionaire
| The Happiest Millionaire | |
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1967 Theatrical poster
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| Directed by | Norman Tokar |
| Produced by |
Walt Disney Bill Anderson |
| Written by | Cordelia Drexel Biddle (book) A.J. Carothers |
| Starring |
Fred MacMurray Tommy Steele Greer Garson Gladys Cooper Geraldine Page Hermione Baddeley John Davidson Lesley Ann Warren |
| Music by |
Songs: Richard M. Sherman Robert B. Sherman Score: Jack Elliott |
| Cinematography | Edward Colman |
| Edited by | Cotton Warburton |
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Production
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| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
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Release date
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Running time
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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 | $5,000,000 |
| Box office | $5,000,000 (US/ Canada) |
The Happiest Millionaire is a 1967 musical film starring Fred MacMurray and based upon the true story of Philadelphia millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Costume Design by Bill Thomas. The musical song score is by Robert and Richard Sherman. The screenplay is by AJ Carothers based on the play that was based on the book My Philadelphia Father by Cordelia Drexel Biddle. This was the last film with personal involvement from Walt Disney, who died during its production.
Costume Designer Bill Thomas, whose film credits passed the 200 mark in 1965, created more than 250 lavish costumes for the principal "Millionaire" players alone. More than 3000 complete outfits, valued at $250,000, were required for the entire production.
The story begins in Autumn of 1916, and follows an Irish immigrant named John Lawless (Tommy Steele) as he applies for a butler position with eccentric Philadelphia millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle (Fred MacMurray). Even though the family is a bit strange, Lawless soon learns that he fits right in. Mr. Biddle takes a liking to him immediately. For the rest of the film, Lawless serves as the narrator/commentator.
Mr. Biddle busies himself with his Biddle Boxing and Bible School (located in his stable) and with his alligators in the conservatory. He is also anxious to get America into the War in Europe (World War I), despite the government's policy of neutrality. His wife, Cordelia (Greer Garson), stands quietly by, accepting his eccentricities with a sense of pride and class. Their two sons, Tony and Livingston (Paul Petersen and Eddie Hodges, respectively) are headed off to boarding school, never to be seen in the film again. Their daughter, Cordy (Lesley Ann Warren, in her film debut), is a tomboy with a mean right hook who was educated by private tutors and has had limited contact with conventional society. She is frustrated by her apparent inability to attract suitors and wants to see what is beyond the Biddle manor.
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Wikipedia