The Millionairess (1960)

Director:

Anthony Asquith

Writers:

George Bernard Shaw (play)
Riccardo Aragno (adaptation)

Release Date:

22 December 1960 (West Germany)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

The Racy Revelations of the Richest Girl in the World...And Her Wild, Wonderful Ways!

Plot:

When her father dies, Epifania Parerga, an Italian in London, becomes the world's richest woman. She...

Plot Keywords:

Love | Italian | Chemist | Male Female Relationship | Lingerie

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Sophia Loren	...	Epifania Parerga
Peter Sellers	...	Dr. Ahmed el Kabir
Alastair Sim	...	Julius Sagamore
Vittorio De Sica	...	Joe
Dennis Price	...	Dr. Adrian Bland
Gary Raymond	...	Alastair
Alfie Bass	...	Fish Curer
Miriam Karlin	...	Mrs. Maria Joe
Noel Purcell	...	Professor Merton
Virginia Vernon	...	Polly Smith
Graham Stark	...	Butler
Diana Coupland	...	Nurse
Pauline Jameson	...	Muriel Pilkington
Eleanor Summerfield	...	Mrs. Willoughby
Willoughby Goddard	...	President

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

UK:U | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Finland:S

Company:

Dimitri De Grunwald Production

Trivia:

Peter Sellers and Sophia Loren recorded the novelty song "Goodness Gracious Me!" in order to promote the movie. The song became a big worldwide hit.

Quotes:

Epifania Parerga: After all Adrian, I am made of flesh and blood.
Dr. Ahmed el Kabir: You certainly are.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004)

Interesting comic character study that spawned a hit song.

Let me just start off by saying that George Bernard Shaw is one of my all-time favorite playwrights, and Peter Sellers is one of my all-time favorite comic actors. So naturally I think this is a pretty good movie. I admit the concept is more interesting than the actual execution. But certainly the personality of the leads does compensate. And it is a very intriguing idea.

I think the best moments are when Sophia Loren's character gets the good doctor to make a house call, the Doctor trying to give his fortune away on the street and no-one bothering to take it (Would that still be the case today?), as well as Alistair Sims excellent lawyer. And having worked in the medical profession (as a lab clerk), the dry comments on the high-tech lab equipment, and ruthless beurocracy of a large medical institution rang especially true. There are certainly some exceptional social commentary behind the human story, which is the trademark of Shaw's work.

But I like this movie especially for being the inspiration of the classic novelty song "Goodness Gracious Me!", which the two leads recorded in order to promote the movie. I actually think the song works better.