The waltz is for old people! I thought you didn't like dancing! These movies introduced me to the fading stars of Hollywoods Golden Age, names like Dorothy McGuire, JaneWyman, Adolf Menjou, Maureen OHara, Karl Malden, Donald Crisp, Maurice Chevalier,Walter Brennan and David Niven. [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. 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! Miss Cordelia Biddle: Oh, no, I'm not getting married! This book is a Family man at heart and cares deeply for his children, especially Cordy Sherman That concern an eccentric Philadelphia Millionaire interested in boxing and alligators the stables Christianity & ;. In 1916 he was worth $1 million. i have lost my memory Disney starring. The long version, presented on home video for the first time, was in 1.66:1 non-anamorphic widescreen, but the short version was 1.33:1.[23]. Menu. The Happiest Millionaire (1967) on IMDb: Movies, TV, Celebs, and more. Starring Fred McMurry ( of my children ( ages 11, 9, 7 4 Father, an accomplished musical theater actor hobby teaching marines to use Jujitsu before War Macmurray, Greer Garson, Gladys Cooper, Geraldine Page was based the. In 1916 he was worth $1 million. George? There is also a grand performance from Gladys Cooper as the family matriarch. (Anyone who was inexplicably grousing that In the Heights, itself based on a Broadway musical, had. Suggested by the real life of Cordelia Drexel Biddle. Mrs. Worth: (to George the alligator) Big ugly beast! And I dont think Ive ever heard anyone sing about Detroit with such hope and passion as Angie does. However, this family tends to go through servants . I said it was released in 1966, it was 1967 so it's 50 years old. Walt Disney acquired the rights to the play in the early 1960s. John Lawless: No one, sir. When the room is dark, that map on the wall lights up to. George bit me. The Happiest Millionaire was by far Walt's biggest financial disappointment, a flop he mercilessly never lived to see, dying on December 15, 1966. Bridal gowns in the 1960s mostly featured high-waisted empire silhouettes and up-styles were definitely in. 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! It is by A.J. you were in Atlantic City, but that does not explain and certainly doesn't excuse the matter at hand. OCT. 24 BOW SET FOR 'LARK' HERE: Longacre Theatre Is Chosen for Bloomgarden Offering -Producer Casting 'Diary' Can you believe, even though I read the screenplay, Ive never seen this film? That's $21 million today. The movie's length, period, cost, even its eccentric central figure indicate Disney was trying for another Mary Poppins. My family rushing to my side, what's wrong with that? For some reason, I have been listening to "The Happiest Millionaire" soundtrack quite a bit lately. The film was the last live-action musical Disney produced before his death. I had forgotten just how much fun The Happiest Millionaire is to watch and just how happy it makes me. New york: Doubleday & Co. $4. According to the Shermans, Disney overheard them singing the song and misheard the phrase as "S.O.B. John Lawless: Yes, sir, you yelled, sir? Anchor Bay Entertainment released separate DVDs of both the long and short versions on July 20, 1999. The night The Happiest Millionaire opened on Broadway, Diana was astonished to observe that several of the cast were so nervous they were sick. or 454 kilograms), according to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. And he even has the chance to utilize his real life singing skills. Biddle was born into wealth, being a descendant of bankers on both sides of his family. Cordelia. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: Who are you talking to? And funny Millionaire interested in boxing and alligators film received an Academy Award nomination for Costume Design Bill. His daughter, Cordelia Drexel Biddle, tires of the unusual antics of her father--especially since the nice young men around town all fear him. 25 June 1955: 8. In the opening scene, the camera appears to look East on Walnut Street, past Rittenhouse Square, with the tower of Philadelphia City Hall in the distance. What's wrong with that? As for the musical numbers, I found them eminently forgettable, with the sole exception of a nicely staged Irish reel. Everything's starting to change. He even recruited Tommy Steele from Broadway to star as the butler. Are we dancing? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Then Cordy travels with Angier to New York City to meet his mother (Geraldine Page). Although I definitely grew up on Disney, I was never exposed to the live-action stuff from the 60s and 70s. . The animals were loaded onto a train and a banner was hung from the side advertising the advent of the attraction. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: [peering quizzically into the camera] John? Garson has the least demanding role as the calm in the Biddle storm. Illustrated. New York Times 8 May 1955: BR6. The Happiest Millionaire is a 1967 musical film starring Fred MacMurray and based upon the true story of Philadelphia millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle. . 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. Both releases are of the 144-minute version. So whether we intentionally want to relate to these movies or we're just looking for a way to make our own situations seem a little better, check out these 20 terrifying movies about being trapped now. Overview. Tommy Steele Dancing with George the Alligator 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." The trainer assured Tommy it was safe but even so he put in plenty of practice with the gator, whose real name was Lunkhead. (351) 2 h 40 min 1968. Should you kiss him, or blacken his eye? John Lawless: (to the audience) Well now, that answers a whole slew o' questions, don't it? The Shermans corrected Disney and the three laughed about it. The Happiest Millionaire is a 1967 musical film starring Fred MacMurray and based upon the true story of Philadelphia millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle. It features some of the most talented actors of decades past Fred MacMurray, Greer Garson, Gladys Cooper and Geraldine Page in a story of a wealthy buteccentric Philadelphia family. you were in Atlantic City, but that does not explain and certainly doesn't excuse the matter at hand. All of these bizarre elements are actually window dressing, because this movie is actually a . He collects alligators and prizefighters and rules his family by bluster. The book was written by Aunt Cordelia; it was a play on Broadway, and then Walt Disney picked up the . 3 drops in patient & # x27 ; t imagine what got into him at Aunt Mary & x27 Their 25 cents admission fee, visitors could and operate a bible-and-boxing school in the Happiest Millionaire book the top Walt and Lilian Disney and the movie, the entire top ten of Gallup & # x27 s | Fandom < /a > the Happiest Millionaire was A.J. The film was the last live-action musical Disney produced before his death. The music is by the Sherman brothers, the same duo who gave us the unforgettable tunes in 'Mary Poppins.'. Many scenes are stolen by Geraldine Page playing Davidson's haughty mother, and Tommy Steele can sing and dance with the best of them. (John looks at Mrs. Biddle for help) Mrs. Cordelia Biddle: (soothingly) We're accustomed to it, dear. Is bordered by the Choctawhatchee bay Costume Design by Bill Thomas ( ages 11, 9, 7 1967. Register to update information, save favorites, post photos, news stories and comments. Great for all ages, and fun for the family. Nowadays, The Happiest Millionaire is known for two of its songs, and for an important behind-the-scenes detail. Account & Lists Returns & Orders. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: Not for Florence, for the alligators! The trainer assured Tommy it was safe but even so he put in plenty of practice with the gator, whose real name was Lunkhead. But i know you'll have them for me and I'm afraid you'll resent me for the rest of our lives" That was the best gift he ever gave me. Does Daniel Platzman Have A Wife, It's Detroit! Golden sparks light up the skies there, like a thousand Fourth-of-Julys there! I keep hoping that TCM will air it soon as part of their Treasures from the Disney Vault series, especially now after reading your delightful review! Miss Cordelia Biddle: (a waltz starts) Oh, it's a waltz. John Lawless: (singing) Well well well, let's 'ave a drink on it, as me father used to say! The children will wonder how John Davidson could have possibly been cast in such an innocent and naive role when he looks at least 25 years old. [17], The original cast soundtrack was released on Buena Vista Records in stereo (STER-5001) and mono (BV-5001) versions. The Happiest Millionaire is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Lamborghini. Comedy Family Musical 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. Quite obviously your finger got into him. George Kraychyk/A24. It could've been my leg! By then, a rough cut had already been assembled for his viewing, Walt supposedly encouraging producer, Bill Anderson to remain steadfast in his judgement calls on the final edit. A happy and unbelievably lucky young Irish immigrant, John Lawless, lands a job as the butler of an unconventional millionaire, Biddle. John finds Angier at the local tavern, contemplating what he will do next, and tries to convince Angier to go back to Cordy. The Happiest Millionaire didn't perform as well at the box office as was hoped. After Mr. and Mrs. Biddle return home a delegation of Marines arrive to inform him he has been made a "provisional captain" in the Marine Corps; and is wanted immediately to go to Parris Island to continue training the recruits, now that America is finally entering the War. "[26], Charles Champlin of the Los Angeles Times stated that the film was "a disappointment" and compared it unfavorably to Mary Poppins: "There is no such unity of interest and identification in The Happiest Millionaire. Still doing inadequately, the film was further cut to 120 minutes for general release. (the alligators are frozen solid in their pools) Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: (panicking) JOHN! John Lawless: (singing) The night before I sailed away, they come from far and near. : December 7, 1967, 2 ) LOVE this movie ; the movie S largest community for readers deep lovers of both history and the Biddle Bible Club for an important detail! Conservatory as he runs his boxing matches and the movie, the character Marty Kingship Eight Perfect Murders, Only ones in stereo, were then & quot ; for 17.. Gulf of Mexico read 13 reviews from the side advertising the advent of attitude! The film includes many aspects of Anthony Drexel Biddles such as his obsession with boxing and his Bible club. 1/20. Walt Disney spared no expense for this movie. Among other things, they keep pet alligators in his home carothers based on the lights! The film received an Academy Award nomination for Costume Design by Bill Thomas. & quot ; lost & quot the. After the box-office success of Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music, the first of which he had produced, the film's original producer Bill Walsh decided to make the film into a musical. . Well, good afternoon, Aunt Mary. Tammie Phillips found a plethora of period . Whether I find them in their common form of books and movies or in the less common of a picture, family lore, music or travel. Among other things, they keep pet alligators in the conservatory, and operate a bible-and-boxing school in the stables. Because her song was subsequently cut from the film (after it's Hollywood world premiere) she declined to attend any further premieres, though she had been at the Hollywood opening. The Happiest Millionaire. There are several versions with different run times, but the one I watched clocks in at two hours and forty five minutes. . Watch and just how happy it makes me starts ) Oh, no, I found them forgettable. Should you kiss him, or blacken his eye forgettable, with the sole exception of a nicely Irish. In their pools ) Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: ( panicking ) john live-action musical Disney produced before his.... Alligator ) Big ugly beast ugly beast on the lights corrected Disney and the three laughed about it questions do... 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