A strange one from Walt Dizzy himself... Fred MacMurray was already a HUGE hollywood star (Double Indemnity !).. and made this WHILE he was still doing My Three Sons television show. Co-stars Greer Garson, another long time hollywood star. Geraldine Page, Joyce Bulifant. Lesley Warren ( Victor Victoria, but she's still a teenage girl in "millionaire" ), and Hermione Baddeley - Maude's maid! and she plays a maid here too! it's a bit silly, like an old time musical, with lightweight songs, beginning with brit singer Tommy Steele. This one would have been SO much better without the musical numbers. they just keep bringing things to a halt. and it's SO long... two hours plus! (many) songs by the Sherman brothers, who also wrote songs for Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. and of course, the very famous "It's a Small World After All" ! this one is clearly aimed at the younger crowd... so bouncy and over the top. the plot seems to be getting the daughter (Warren) off to school; we're an hour in, and that's all the discussion so far. AND.. it's a period piece (another strike for me.) they keep talking about President Wilson. Directed by Norman Tokar; he started in television in the 1950s, but directed films in the 1960s. did lots of disney stuff, but croaked quite young at age 59. heart attack This one just goes on and on. if you have the stamina to get to the end, have at it. there's a good story in here, buried deep, and its fun to see all the big names. but it's a long, long film.
Review of The Happiest Millionaire
