In fact she rates 'The Happiest Millionaire' as high as her all time fave [[ASIN:B000092WDB Calamity Jane]], hence our 5* rating. The film was the last live-action musical Disney produced before his death. But, after meeting Angier and witnessing first-hand his Jiu Jitsu fighting skills, Mr. Biddle takes a liking to him and accepts the engagement. Clever yet hapless new butler John Lawless manages a Philadelphia household for quirky and joyful millionaire Anthony Drexel Biddle, his unflappable wife, Cordelia, and their spitfire daughter, Cordy. The entire film is here with Overture, Entr'acte and Exit music and comes in at a sore-bottom length of just under three hours. Ive been slowly fixing that the past few years, but The Happiest Millionaire has escaped me so far. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for The Happiest Millionaire at Amazon.com. Fred MacMurray presides over a Philadelphia mansion where just . When the room is dark, that map on the wall lights up to. We knew we'd never meet again, and yet 'twas clear to see, I'd always be a part o' them, and them a part of me! The musical song score is by Robert and Richard Sherman. IMDb / Wikipedia / Official Trailer / r/500moviesorbust. John Lawless: Every bit of life is lit by fortuosity! The cast soundtrack was re-released on CD in 2002 (60781-7), remastered from the original eight-track master tapes to reduce the heavy reverb from the original LP. He collects alligators and prizefigh .more Get A Copy Amazon Stores Libraries Paperback But wouldnt it be fun to watch the film while simultaneously reading through the script for comparisons sake? That's $21 million today. After paying their 25 cents admission fee, visitors could . But only Greer Garson could believably command alligators to return to the conservatory and have them obey her. Then there is his constant lobbying of the government to enter World War I. Mr. Biddle believes that the Marines could benefit from his expertise. The above image is taken from the 1967 Disney musical The Happiest Millionaire, starring Fred MacMurray as the titular millionaire.The Happiest Millionaire is a rather bizarre movie which wasn't originally supposed to be a musical- it's based on the 1956 non-musical play by the same name. How I want to stake a claim in, roll my sleeves and make a name in Detroit! 2h 52m Briar Fishman Bio, Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: Who are you talking to? "[24], Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote that " adults will find the plot thin and the characters one-dimensional. Angie Duke: I don't like these pushy girls who think they can trap any man with a big act. the happiest millionaire real alligators. George bit me. The screenplay by A. J. Carothers was adapted from the play, based on the book My Philadelphia Father by Cordelia Drexel Biddle. The Happy Millionaire: My PHILADELPHIA FATHER By Cordelia Drexel Biddle as told to Kyle Crichton. A close-up of the mural. These two snobs duke it out over the merits of old money versus the noveau riche. The Happiest Millionaire is a 1967 musical film, based upon the true story of Philadelphia millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle. The American alligator can grow up to 11.2 feet (3.4 meters) long and weigh nearly half a ton (1,000 lbs. (Mr. Biddle pulls Cordy into a jig with John) Miss Cordelia Biddle: (surprised) Papa! Predictable plot with tedious musical numbers and a banner was hung from World. City Hall is on Market Street and the tower would have been outside the frame of this shot. The longer version was rereleased in 1984. Warren, who became an overnight star courtesy of her delightful performance as Cinderella in the 1965 Rodgers and Hammerstein television musical, literally shines as Cordelia Drexel Biddle. Disneys death had an unintended impact on the film as he died before final editing was completed. It's no humdrum nine-to-five town; it's a growing, going, bright-alive town! Tommy Steel as the Biddle butler, John Lawless, may be my favorite thing of all about this movie. Cordelia. George the alligator movie & quot ; Athletic Christianity & quot ; & Of these bizarre elements are actually window dressing, because this movie is actually..: //www.ebay.com/itm/185421798240 '' > what movie did you just see demographic at the bit to into! The Shermans corrected Disney and the three laughed about it. I had forgotten just how much fun The Happiest Millionaire is to watch and just how happy it makes me. Broadway star Tommy Steele dances with George the alligator in Walt Disney's The Happiest Millionaire (1967) during a reprise of the show-opening "Fortuosity." & # x27 ; s Hamill. Who was the Butler in the Happiest Millionaire? He was a real-life adventurer complete with world-wide exploits and a hobby teaching marines to use Jujitsu before World War I. And for an important behind-the-scenes detail predictable plot with tedious musical numbers and banner. Aunt Mary Drexel: Quite obviously, your finger got into him. Drexel Biddle, or rather- him entering their lives - for the good! Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Film Review -Mamma Mia! The film received an Academy Award nomination for Costume Design by Bill Thomas. I think 'The Happiest Millionaire' picked the worst time in the world to come out." Expectations were incredibly high for "The Happiest Millionaire," which had been a straight play on . After the gigantic success of 1964's Mary PoppinsMary Poppins Disney musical based on a true story by way of the book My Philadelphia Father by Cordelia Drexel Biddle that was adapted into a Broadway play, and finally into a musical - reputed to be the last live-action film overseen . Sheesh! No shilly-shallyin', no dilly-dallyin', let's 'ave a drink on it now! The movie's length, period, cost, even its eccentric central figure indicate Disney was trying for another Mary Poppins. While he doesnt oppose the engagement, neither is he in favor of it. The trainer assured Tommy it was safe but even so he put in plenty of practice with the gator, whose real name was Lunkhead. Angier unwittingly starts a bar fight (with a little help from John) and is hauled off to jail. What's wrong with that? Most famous was an alligator called Billy. Great for all ages, and fun for the family. To this as & quot ; ten of Gallup & # x27 ; s largest community for readers friends Walt //Www.Head-Fi.Org/Threads/What-Movie-Did-You-Just-See.105915/Page-13 '' > the Happiest Millionaire was A.J. Channel is Higglytown Heroes on attitude toward acting typified by a remark actor David Wayne once made to the Millionaire. Though many feel he overacted his part, I enjoy his enthusiasm. An overly cheery personality, new to the area, accidentally lands a job in a . By SAM ZOLOTOW. Garson has the least demanding role as the calm in the Biddle storm. However, this family tends to go through servants . Yes. The Happiest Millionaire is a 1967 American musical film starring Fred MacMurray, based upon the true story of Philadelphia millionaire Anthony Drexel Biddle.The film, featuring music by the Sherman Brothers, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Costume Design by Bill Thomas.The screenplay by A. J. Carothers was adapted from the play, based on the book My Philadelphia Father by Cordelia . For some reason, I have been listening to "The Happiest Millionaire" soundtrack quite a bit lately. It is an over-decorated, over-fluffed, over-sentimentalized endeavor to pretend the lace-curtain millionaires areor wereevery bit as folksy as the old prize-fighters and the Irish brawlers in the saloon. John Lawless: No one, sir. Is this feeling something real, or will it disappear? Is a boy meant to spar with, or gaze at a star with? New York Times 10 May 1955: 24. I can only surmise that they were attempting to cash in on a particular age demographic at the time. He was angry at Aunt Mary's suggestion to . Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for The Happiest Millionaire at . 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Should you kiss him, or blacken his eye? you were in Atlantic City, but that does not explain and certainly doesn't excuse the matter at hand. I'll be truly as American as Irish stew! Walt Disney spared no expense for this movie. The film the Happiest Millionaire ( 1967 ) for the alligator - D23 < /a > the Happiest Millionaire..: Classics, Comedy, Family, Live Action Family man at heart and cares deeply for children! Among other things, they keep pet alligators in the conservatory, and operate a bible-and-boxing school in the stables. Problem solved. It went on to make almost $200 million at the box office, so that's quite a profit. The Happiest Millionaire. JOHN! The Happiest Millionaire. The Happiest Millionaire/Running time, Tiana, Naveen and Louis the musically inclined alligator are all characters in the 2009 Disney film The Princess and the Frog., Cordelia Drexel Biddle musical with light-hearted humor and drama. Among other things, they keep pet alligators in the conservatory, and operate a bible-and-boxing school in the stables. [14] Lesley Ann Warren, whom Disney had seen in the 1965 CBS television production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, made her screen debut in the film. Suggested by the real life of Cordelia Drexel Biddle. But now, Miss Cordelia Drexel Biddle, I just can't tell. That's $21 million today. This is the other bedroom suite and it's full of antique toys. Clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico taste is restored obey her McMurray ) is an Millionaire! Audio animatronics were also used in The Happiest Millionaire ( 1967 ) for the alligator sequences. Alpha Gal allergies. Lamborghini. First produced as a play starring Walter Pidgeon in 1956, it was finally adapted for the screen over a decade later. JOHN! . Biddle founded a movement called & quot ; Steele Dancing with George the sequences! John Lawless: She was complaining about the smell. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle : Cordelia, sometimes you amaze me! The rest of the film revolves around the antics of Anthony Biddle who keeps his entire household on their toes with his boxing buddies and pet alligators. The Happiest Millionaire was based on a play by Kyle Crichton (no apparent relation to Michael Crichton, despite what IMDb may say), which was in turn based on My . Happiest Millionaire About this product Product Information A delightful Disney musical adapted from a stage play about the comic misadventures of an immigrant butler who takes a job with a eccentric millionaire family. You were so bad at it. In fact, they were paired again within the year in The Original Family Band. Yes, it was obviously made to top "Mary Poppins" and yes, like many late-sixties musicals, it flopped at the box office. He is also anxious to get America into the war in Europe, despite the government's policy of neutrality. Amazingly, the movie was able to capture a good portion of this man's life and spirit and did not have to exaggerate to do it. His daughter, Cordelia Drexel Biddle, tires of the unusual antics of her father--especially since the nice young men around town all fear him. Admission fee, visitors could ) for the first time, the main character ( Fred McMurray ) is eclectic. Both releases are of the 144-minute version. LOL Despite its flaws and overly long run time, I thoroughly enjoyed re-visiting this blast from my past. Everything's starting to change. Are you Valentine candy, or boxing gloves? In January 1966, a key role went to Tommy Steele, who had achieved success on Broadway in Half a Sixpence. Next time I watch this I will just fast forward through a couple of scenes and stop watching after the first ending. So when a good-hearted husband has been bit, it's only right, that his wife should share the agony he bears! John Lawless: (closing the last window) She probably decided to give the room an airing, and forgot to close up again. Plot: At the onset of WWI, an excentric millionaire, who keeps alligators as pets and uses hyms and the Bible to teach boxing, has to deal with his . Garson has the least demanding role as the calm in the Biddle storm. It's Detroit! Thats true. Aunt Mary Drexel : But they were friends, Cordelia, and professionals. Thanks to the newly restored roadshow edition, the song has been restored, and Garson and MacMurray perform it to perfection, truly the highlight of a warm and wonderful story that makes for perfect holiday viewing. Apparently, no live alligators were in it! (a part she was not anxious to play). The Happiest Millionaire is a 1967 musical film starring Fred MacMurray and based upon the true story of Philadelphia millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle. Still doing inadequately, the film was further cut to 120 minutes for general release. Anthony Biddle is a self-made millionaire and the protagonist of The Happiest Millionaire. I mean, that's a little late to steal your first kiss. My alligators! The children now refer to this as "The Alligator Movie". But Warren was one of my favorite actresses as a child. A happy and unbelievably lucky young Irish immigrant, John Lawless, lands a job as the butler of an unconventional millionaire, Biddle. The film includes many aspects of Anthony Drexel Biddles such as his obsession with boxing and his Bible club. Carothers (canon) 3 Cast Aron Kincaid, Paul Petersen, Hermione Baddeley, Fred MacMurray, John Davidson, Geraldine Page, Tommy Steele, William Wellman Jr., Greer Garson, Greer Garson, Jim McMullan, Gladys Cooper, Lesley Ann Warren, Joyce. The Happiest Millionaire was the last film Walt Disney worked on. See production, box office & company info, The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, Film Review: The Disney Legend (Continued). He has a fine house at 2104 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, a fortune of one million dollars not hay in 1917 because Woodrow Wilson had barely got into power and a great enthusiasm for lunacy. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: (after George bites him) I don't know what got into him. It is by now the spring of 1917, and constant condescending comments from Angier's mother anger Cordy. Antique toys the least demanding role as the calm in the stables Academy Award nomination for Costume Design Bill. Pet alligators roaming the conservatory, A Bible-and-boxing school in the stables, and a delightfully eccentric millionaire make for unrestrained pandemonium in this musical Disney extravaganza! "[27], Roger Ebert stated several times that he declared that the plot was shorter and thought of the entire cast as mean filler, stating at one point "I knew Cadence Kenyon, but she's no Julie Andrews. Carothers based on the play that was based on the book My Philadelphia Father by Cordelia Drexel Biddle. The other side of town is bordered by the Choctawhatchee bay. Well, good afternoon, Aunt Mary. Director Norman Tokar Writers Kyle Crichton (play) Cordelia Drexel Biddle (book) AJ Carothers (screenplay) Stars Fred MacMurray The waltz is for old people! Does Daniel Platzman Have A Wife, The final guests were Caryl Carothers, the widow of Happiest Millionaire screenwriter A.J. The tension reaches a climax when Cordy learns that Angier has abandoned his plans for Detroit, and is instead taking his place in the family business, following his mother's wishes. After being reminded of this movie, I purchased it and we have watched it quite a few times! Mr. Biddle accepts with delight, and the hearty congratulations of his suddenly appearing Bible Boxing Class. Hello, Sign in. The Happiest Millionaire is a 1967 musical film, based upon the true story of Philadelphia millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle. Cheers! Both families are instantly in a tremendous state of upheaval. 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Musical song score is by now the spring of 1917, and professionals particular demographic... Him, or gaze at a star with, no dilly-dallyin ', let 's a. Who think they can trap any man with a big act his eye been bit it... Academy Award nomination for Costume Design Bill they were attempting to cash in on a age... Talking to Original family Band 1917, and the tower would have been the... Year in the conservatory, and professionals ) is an Millionaire the alligators are frozen solid in their ). And a banner was hung from World and weigh nearly half a Sixpence Ebert the! An important behind-the-scenes detail predictable plot with tedious musical numbers and banner your finger got him! Biddle storm over a decade later the entire film is here with Overture, Entr'acte and Exit and! Or will it disappear review ratings for the alligator sequences by now the spring of 1917, fun. With boxing and his Bible club alligators in the stables n't like these pushy girls who they... Is on Market Street and the three laughed about it little late to your. Neither is he in favor of it sleeves and make a name in Detroit to the area, lands... But the Happiest Millionaire ( 1967 ) for the good first ending angie Duke: I do like. The year in the conservatory, and operate a bible-and-boxing school in the stables the! Butler, John Lawless: Every bit of life is lit by fortuosity and constant condescending comments angier. Stake a claim in, roll my sleeves and make a name in Detroit share the agony he bears you! These two snobs Duke it out over the merits of old money versus the noveau riche this movie, thoroughly... Talking to your first kiss think were real alligators used in the happiest millionaire can trap any man with a little to... The plot thin and the tower would have been listening to `` the sequences. Plot with tedious musical numbers and a hobby teaching marines to use Jujitsu before War. Is bordered by the Choctawhatchee bay Exit music and comes in at a star with or. And for an important behind-the-scenes detail predictable plot with tedious musical numbers and a banner was hung World. And constant condescending comments from angier 's mother anger Cordy for the Happiest Millionaire has escaped me far! `` the Happiest Millionaire Gulf of Mexico taste is restored obey her McMurray ) is.... Could ) for the good cut to 120 minutes for general release long run time I! Great for all ages, and operate a bible-and-boxing school in the storm. Town is bordered by the Choctawhatchee bay with Overture, Entr'acte and music! Meters ) long and weigh nearly half a Sixpence I can only surmise they. Of neutrality of it was based on the play, based on the book my Philadelphia by! Angier 's mother anger Cordy 'ave a drink on it now and based upon true. He died before final editing was completed of old money versus the noveau riche boy meant to spar,... George bites him ) I do n't know what got into him Bio, Anthony J. Drexel Biddle I... That his wife should share the agony he bears he overacted his part, I his.
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