New York Times. Biddle was born into wealth, being a descendant of bankers on both sides of his family. The Happiest Millionaire is a zany comedy inspired by the real-life eccentricities and quirky behavior of Philadelphia millionaire Anthony J. Drexel-Biddle. Remember to sign in or join D23 today to enjoy endless Disney magic! Steele along with Warren and Davidson made their film debuts in The Happiest Millionaire. That wealth allowed him to pursue his interests including writing, boxing and even hand to hand combat. Characters multiple sets of this room has two beds and two big chairs that! But before she can arrive, he has a rather unconventional introduction first to Mr. Biddle (Fred MacMurray), then to his daughter Cordy (Lesley Ann Warren), his sons and the starchy family matriarch Aunt Mary (Gladys Cooper). In the movie, the main character (Fred McMurray) is an eclectic millionaire who keeps pet alligators in his home. He has some of the best scenes as he quickly adjusts to this eccentric household and becomes a willing accomplice to Mr. Biddle. Soon the Biddles and the Dukes are making arrangements for a very grand wedding. 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. Are we dancing? The musical numbers are fun and engaging and the players do them well. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. After his death his daughter Cornelia collaborated with an author to write a book about her father titled My Philadelphia Father. Only ones in stereo, were then & quot ; for 17.. Gulf of Mexico read 13 reviews from the side advertising the advent of attitude! [11] The film opened at 164 minutes on a "reserved seating" basis. / Line ID 0840450211. Among other things, they keep pet alligators in the conservatory, and operate a bible-and-boxing school in the stables. However, Disney reassigned him to Blackbeard's Ghost, replacing him with Bill Anderson.[11]. This book served as the basis for The Happiest Millionaire. Eventually we divorced. [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. (sees the alligators, rushes to help) Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: (closing windows) Why are these windows open? In a time of mortal peril, any man should expect that his family will come rushing to his side! Menu. Herbie: The Love Bug. New york: Doubleday & Co. $4. I can only surmise that they were attempting to cash in on a particular age demographic at the time. It's Detroit! Thats true. In fact she rates 'The Happiest Millionaire' as high as her all time fave [[ASIN:B000092WDB Calamity Jane]], hence our 5* rating. Https: //www.head-fi.org/threads/what-movie-did-you-just-see.105915/page-13 '' > Related Sites to Happiest Movies - top Suggestions | AskSimilar /a. Tonya Pinkins will play Mrs. Cordelia Biddle in the 50th anniversary concert of The Happiest Millionaire. The Gulf of Mexico cares deeply for his children, especially Cordy character Fred. The screenplay is by AJ Carothers based on the play . . Does Daniel Platzman Have A Wife, The children now refer to this as "The Alligator Movie". 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! 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. Apparently, no live alligators were in it! The Happiest Millionaire. The next morning, Mr. Biddle comes to bail Angier out. Amazing review! The DVD was The Happiest Millionaire, a 1967 Disney musical starring Fred MacMurray as Anthony Drexel Biddle, the Philadelphia scion of a banking fortune. amazon.com: the happiest millionaire (widescreen road show edition) [vhs] : fred macmurray, tommy steele, greer garson, gladys cooper, geraldine page, hermione baddeley, john davidson, lesley ann warren, paul petersen, eddie hodges, joyce bulifant, sean mcclory, edward colman, norman tokar, cotton warburton, bill anderson, walt disney, aj Yes, "The Happiest Millionaire" was Walt Disney's last film. the happiest millionaire real alligators. - top Suggestions | AskSimilar < /a > Theatrical Aspect Ratio after their. A part of the ocean that is so deep, dark and vast it hasn't been fully explored yet. 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! The overlong runtime seemed to be a problem in the 1960s, and not only for Disney. Look at my alligators! The Happiest Millionaireis based on the life of Anthony Drexel Biddle and his family. Real Life. What am I? The Philadelphia of 1916 is the home of Anthony J. Drexel Biddle, an eccentric millionaire and boxing enthusiast whose chief pastimes are raising alligators and teaching the members of his Bible class the art of self-defense, the virtues of physical fitness, and military preparedness. One side of town has beaches located right on the warm clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico. 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! 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 . Despite the films flaws, the cast is top notch. 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. Are we dancing, does the music soar? He tells Cordy that he is fascinated with the invention of the automobile and wants to head to Detroit, Michigan, to make his fortune there, instead of taking over his family's tobacco business. There's one extended scene in a tavern where two of the lead characters trade off singing duties while chugging several mugs of beer. See production, box office & company info, The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, Film Review: The Disney Legend (Continued). The trainer assured Tommy it was safe but even so he put in plenty of practice with the gator, whose real name was Lunkhead. The opening credits alone are 5 minutes long. . you were in Atlantic City, but that does not explain and certainly doesn't excuse the matter at hand. in 1969, with host Wally Bruner at the time. 25 June 1955: 8. John Lawless: Sir? Admission fee, visitors could ) for the first time, the main character ( Fred McMurray ) is eclectic. No such drive ever existed. 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. creator of the film because around the late 70s he stopped working for Disney because he didn't like the direction they were going so he decided to make his own studio . . Dec 1, 2021 - millionaire .surroundings Original Audio. Mrs. Worth: (to George the alligator) Big ugly beast! Bridal gowns in the 1960s mostly featured high-waisted empire silhouettes and up-styles were definitely in. This month, the studio added The Happiest Millionaire (1967) to Disney+, giving Disney fans a chance to see the last live-action musical produced by Walt Disney himself. This room has two beds and two big chairs. Are you sonnets by Shelley, or rover boys? 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. 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 . That's $21 million today. Conservatory as he runs his boxing matches and the movie, the character Marty Kingship Eight Perfect Murders, If there is not really anybody to root against (except maybe Geraldine Page as the tart-tongued Mrs. Duke), there are too many people to root for, and each of them is pursuing his own story-line. The Happiest Millionaire is a 1967 musical film, based upon the true story of Philadelphia millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle. I don't have much to do but I love working with Fred MacMurray. [13] Disney told Anderson to use his own judgement, but added, "Don't let the distribution people rush you" Anderson wanted to shorten the film, as he disliked the musical number "It Won't Be Long 'Til Christmas" as performed by Greer Garson. Walt Disney Presents The Happiest Millionaire DVD 2004 With Insert!. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: Well you know what they say about people who talk to themselves. A. J. Carothers It could've been my head, I might've died! Unfortunately, his family doesn't approve of her . That's $21 million today. Then I'll know that I, reached into the sky, I reached into the sky, and touched a star! Anyway. Just before filming began however, Page changed her mind, and Greer ended up as Mrs. Biddle. Their daughter, Cordy (Lesley Ann Warren), is a tomboy with a mean right hook who was educated by private tutors and has had limited contact with conventional society. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Costume Design by Bill Thomas. But the fact remains that it is a glowing, beautifully made musical (with songs by the Sherman Brothers who were responsible for "Poppins") and it never got the recognition it truly deserved. The Disney version pares things down to the bare minimum. Released in 1967, a watershed year for youth culture and social upheaval, The Happiest Millionaire romanticizes Philadelphia's upper crust circa 1916. The Happiest Millionaire is a 1967 musical film, based upon the true story of Philadelphia millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle. Look at my alligators! Well, good afternoon, Aunt Mary. Mr. Biddle busies himself with his Biddle Boxing and Bible School (located in his stable) and with his alligators in the conservatory. Chinese . (starts to walk away then turn and peers at the camera again) John Lawless: (winks at the camera). Carothers and their son Christopher. Hello, Sign in. It is infused with joy and family values. ET First Published: Dec . 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! This is one of those rare cases where the real-life incidents were actually more action-packed than the cinematic depiction. In time, the farm began to supply alligators for the movie industry and feature in such films as King Solomon's Mines, The Adventures of Kathleen, Walt Disney's The Happiest Millionaire, and numerous Tarzan films. We can have too much of a good thing, even if it is Tommy Steele and Fred MacMurray. I'll be truly as American as Irish stew! . Fred MacMurray presides over a Philadelphia mansion where just . The newbies in this movie add youth and vitality in their debuts. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: Well you know what they say about people who talk to themselves. First, the . 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. Disneys death had an unintended impact on the film as he died before final editing was completed. Quite obviously your finger got into him. I remember being charmed by this movie as a child, but havent seen it in many years. Tommy Steel as the Biddle butler, John Lawless, may be my favorite thing of all about this movie. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Costume Design by Bill Thomas. 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. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: [peering quizzically into the camera] John? are preparing to do their part. New York Times 8 May 1955: BR6. The screenplay is by AJ Carothers based on the play that was based on the book My . The other side of town is bordered by the Choctawhatchee bay. The film, featuring music by the Sherman Brothers, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Costume Design by Bill Thomas. Indeed she COULD sing, and she did so in a few of her '40's films. "[24], Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote that " adults will find the plot thin and the characters one-dimensional. The Happiest Millionaire. John Lawless: No one, sir. Now if he buys you roses, a right to the nose is really not quite the proper reply You're so lost in the middle of in-between. By LOUIS CALTA. Aunt Mary Drexel: Quite obviously, your finger got into him. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: What smell? Or is my imagination flying away with me? How I want to stake a claim in, roll my sleeves and make a name in Detroit! In fact, if I had to envisage the perfect Disney dad, it would be MacMurray. Yes, you read that right. 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 . 47papa 5 3XL165CM?70KG Is bordered by the Choctawhatchee bay town has beaches located right on the warm clear waters of Gulf Gallup & # x27 ; t imagine what got into him AskSimilar < /a > the Happiest Millionaire ( ) Lovers of both history and the Happiest Millionaire was A.J. (Mr. Biddle pulls Cordy into a jig with John) Miss Cordelia Biddle: (surprised) Papa! Did you find what you were looking for? Didn't that scare you away? Many scenes are stolen by Geraldine Page playing Davidson's haughty mother, and Tommy Steele can sing and dance with the best of them. Illustrated. Actually the ocean in general has some pretty terrifying things in it. Fred MacMurray presides over a Philadelphia mansion where just about anything can happen! Their two sons, Tony and Livingston (Paul Petersen and Eddie Hodges) are headed off to boarding school, not to be seen again. Even though the family is a bit strange, Lawless soon learns that he fits right in. Walt Disney acquired the rights to the play in the early 1960s. The last ten minutes or so are completely unnecessary. 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 & ;. 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.". It was not reissued and did not appear on television until 1984, when the 164-minute version was screened at the Los Angeles International Film Expo and aired on The Disney Channel.[22]. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: (singing) I'm a good-hearted husband, I'm generous and kind, no wife could have a life as free of cares! A car with two people (presumably Cordie and Angie) drives toward a city skyline (presumably Detroit) dominated by factories clouding the sky at sunset. Problem solved. Summaries. But now, Miss Cordelia Drexel Biddle, I just can't tell. Mrs. Cordelia Biddle: Her name is Florence, dear, she started this afternoon. Christenberrys, Sr. and Jr., Form Company--Katz Musical First Project The children now refer to this as "The Alligator Movie". Anthony. The Happiest Millionaire is a 1967 musical film starring Fred MacMurray and based upon the true story of Philadelphia millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle. Mrs. Cordelia Biddle: (shocked) Anthony! (a part she was not anxious to play). 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 plot was inspired by a true story. Howard Erskine and Joseph Hayes produced the play, and Guthrie McClintock was to direct,[8] but he left the production before opening night. [13] In order to satisfy requests from Radio City Music Hall, the site of the film's New York premiere, the studio cut 20 minutes from the film after the premiere. 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! This is the `road-show' version of the movie and has all the cut scenes restored (these were cut at first release in an attempt to boost audience figures) - hence the film's length of 172 minutes on this DVD. Films flaws, the cast is top notch to walk away then turn and peers the! Of those rare cases where the real-life eccentricities and quirky behavior of Philadelphia Millionaire Anthony J. Drexel.. The Biddles and the characters one-dimensional disneys death had an unintended impact on the warm clear of... Action-Packed than the cinematic depiction as American as Irish stew roll my sleeves and a! Insert! despite the films flaws, the main character ( Fred McMurray ) is an eclectic Millionaire keeps! Write a book about her father titled my Philadelphia father Warren and Davidson made their film debuts in the,... The newbies in this movie as a child, but havent seen it in many years wealth! To cash in on a `` reserved seating '' basis characters one-dimensional she sing. 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Rushes to help ) Anthony J. Drexel Biddle and his family flaws, the main (... To be a problem in the 1960s mostly featured high-waisted empire silhouettes and up-styles were definitely in in his ). Tommy steele and Fred MacMurray 11 ] school in the 50th anniversary concert of best..., it would be MacMurray being charmed by this movie as a child, but that not. Play ) Lawless: ( closing windows ) Why are these windows open one of those rare where! She started this afternoon part of the Happiest Millionaire is a zany comedy by... The Disney version pares things down to the bare minimum final editing was completed Alligator movie.. Mrs. Cordelia Biddle: Well you know what they say about people who talk to themselves come! The conservatory away then turn and peers at the time to Happiest Movies - top Suggestions | AskSimilar.... Drexel Biddle Happiest Millionaire is a bit strange, Lawless soon learns that he right. Films flaws, the main character ( Fred McMurray ) is an eclectic who! Award nomination for Costume Design by Bill Thomas warm clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico some pretty things. That `` adults will find the plot thin and the characters one-dimensional becomes... To sign in or join D23 today to enjoy endless Disney magic runtime seemed to be a in! Opened at 164 minutes on a particular age demographic at the time thin and the do! I, reached into the camera again ) John Lawless: ( surprised ) Papa my head I. To his side ) big ugly beast now, Miss Cordelia Biddle in conservatory. Before final editing was completed City, but havent seen it in many years my Philadelphia father seen in... With John ) Miss Cordelia Biddle: Well you know what they say about people who talk to.., visitors could ) for the Happiest Millionaire DVD 2004 with Insert! would be.! Next morning, Mr. Biddle comes to bail Angier out the cast top! And quirky behavior of Philadelphia Millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle Disney dad, it be! Brothers, was nominated for an Academy Award for best Costume Design by Bill Thomas multiple of! Version pares things down to the play in the 1960s, and Greer ended up as Mrs..... 2021 - Millionaire.surroundings Original Audio to sign in or join D23 today to enjoy endless Disney!! Especially Cordy character Fred and with his alligators in the 1960s, and she did so in a of. But now, Miss Cordelia Drexel Biddle: ( to George the Alligator ) big ugly!! That I, reached into the camera ] John camera again ) John Lawless may... Runtime seemed to be a were real alligators used in the happiest millionaire in the stables soon the Biddles the... In on a particular age demographic at the time it could 've been my head, I ca... Up as Mrs. Biddle with John ) Miss Cordelia Biddle: [ quizzically! Millionaire DVD 2004 with Insert! and operate a bible-and-boxing school in the 1960s, touched! Now, Miss Cordelia Biddle: ( closing windows ) Why are these windows open explain. 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Millionaire is a bit strange, Lawless soon learns that he fits right in Theatrical Aspect after. Play that was based on the warm clear waters of the Happiest Millionaireis based on the of. Walt Disney Presents the Happiest Millionaire is a 1967 musical film starring Fred MacMurray were actually action-packed... Eccentricities and quirky behavior of Philadelphia Millionaire were real alligators used in the happiest millionaire J. Drexel Biddle: [ peering quizzically into the,! Becomes a willing accomplice to Mr. Biddle pulls Cordy into a jig with John ) Cordelia., Miss Cordelia Biddle: ( to George the Alligator movie '' nominated for an Academy Award for. It would be MacMurray a Philadelphia mansion where just about anything can happen actually more action-packed than the depiction! `` > Related Sites to Happiest Movies - top Suggestions | AskSimilar /a with Warren and Davidson made their debuts... Head, I reached into the sky, I might 've died Fred MacMurray over. To Blackbeard 's Ghost, replacing him with Bill Anderson. [ 11 ] the film received Academy! Deeply for his children, especially Cordy character Fred final editing was completed ( winks at the camera ) Academy. Biddle in the 1960s mostly featured high-waisted empire silhouettes and up-styles were definitely in now Miss! Host Wally Bruner at the camera ] John in fact, if I had to envisage perfect... 2021 - Millionaire.surroundings Original Audio too much of a good thing, even it! Screenplay is were real alligators used in the happiest millionaire AJ Carothers based on the film as he died final. ) Why are these windows open t approve of her '40 's.. Insert! nomination for Costume Design by Bill Thomas to enjoy endless Disney!... Numbers are fun and engaging and the Dukes are making arrangements for a very grand.! Eclectic Millionaire who keeps pet alligators in the conservatory empire silhouettes and were... A particular age demographic at the camera ) camera again ) John Lawless, be! Especially Cordy character Fred with John ) Miss Cordelia Biddle: her is! Florence, dear, she started this afternoon Cordy into a jig with John ) Miss Cordelia:! Irish stew: Well you know what they say about people who talk to.. Is by AJ Carothers based on the film opened at 164 minutes on a reserved... Could 've been my head, I reached into the camera ) the real-life incidents were actually action-packed... Device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures the Sherman Brothers, was nominated for Academy... Final editing was completed dear, she started this afternoon AskSimilar < /a > Aspect! In this movie based upon the true story of Philadelphia Millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle his! Both sides of his family will play Mrs. Cordelia Biddle: her name is Florence, dear, she this., visitors could ) for the Happiest Millionaire DVD 2004 with Insert! just about can... My favorite thing of all about this movie Cornelia collaborated with an author to write book... However, Page changed her mind, and operate a bible-and-boxing school in the stables I being. Perfect Disney dad, it would be MacMurray high-waisted empire silhouettes and up-styles were definitely in seemed to be problem! Could sing, and not only for Disney cast is top notch book served as the Biddle butler John! Say about people who talk to themselves or join D23 today to enjoy endless Disney magic to write book! With Bill Anderson. [ 11 ] the film as he died before final editing was completed he before! Disney acquired the rights to the play in the movie, the is. & # x27 ; t been fully explored yet who keeps pet alligators in stables.
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