The Happiest Millionaire (1967)

Director:

Norman Tokar

Writers:

Kyle Crichton (play)
Cordelia Drexel Biddle (book) ...
(more)

Release Date:

7 December 1967 (Australia)

Genre:

Family | Romance | Comedy | Musical

Tagline:

It's the happiest musical of the year!

Plot:

A happy and unbelievably lucky young Irish immigrant, John Lawless, lands a job as the butler of an unconventional millionaire...

Plot Keywords:

Family Relationships | Based On A Stage Play Based On A Book | Pet Alligator | Based On Play | Based On Book

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Fred MacMurray	...	Father
Greer Garson	...	Mother
Gladys Cooper	...	Aunt Mary
Geraldine Page	...	Mrs. Duke
Tommy Steele	...	John Lawless
Hermione Baddeley	...	Mrs. Worth
John Davidson	...	Angie
Lesley Ann Warren	...	Cordy
Paul Petersen	...	Tony
Eddie Hodges	...	Livingston
Joyce Bulifant	...	Rosemary
Sean McClory	...	Police Sgt.
Jim McMullan	...	Lt. Powell
William Wellman Jr.	...	Lt. Grayson
Aron Kincaid	...	Walter Blakely
Larry Merrill	...	Charlie Taylor
Frances Robinson	...	Aunt Gladys
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Norman Grabowski	...	Joe Turner (uncredited)
Jim Gurley	...	Marine lieutenant (uncredited)
Joan Marshall	...	Maid (uncredited)
Lou Nova	...	Bill O'Brien (uncredited)

Directed by
Norman Tokar

Writing credits
Kyle Crichton		(play)
Cordelia Drexel Biddle		(book) and
Kyle Crichton		(book)
AJ Carothers		(screenplay)

Produced by
Bill Anderson	....	co-producer
Walt Disney	....	producer (uncredited)

Cinematography by
Edward Colman		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Cotton Warburton

Art Direction by
Carroll Clark
John B. Mansbridge

Set Decoration by
Emile Kuri
Frank R. McKelvy

Costume Design by
Bill Thomas

Makeup Department
Gordon Hubbard	....	makeup artist
Vivienne Walker	....	hair stylist (as Vivienne Zavitz)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Paul Cameron	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Robert O. Cook	....	sound supervisor
Dean Thomas	....	sound mixer

Special Effects by
Peter Ellenshaw	....	special effects
Eustace Lycett	....	special effects

Stunts
Jerry Brutsche	....	stunt performer (uncredited)
Gene LeBell	....	stunt coordinator (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Chuck Keehne	....	costumer
Neva Rames	....	costumer
Joan Joseff	....	costume jeweller (uncredited)

Music Department
Marc Breaux	....	stager: musical numbers
Jack Elliott	....	conductor
Jack Elliott	....	music arranger
Jack Elliott	....	music supervisor
Evelyn Kennedy	....	music editor
Dee Dee Wood	....	stager: musical numbers

Other crew
Walt Disney	....	presenter
Howard Erskine	....	produced on the New York Stage by
Joseph Hayes	....	produced on the New York Stage by
Tom Leetch	....	assistant: producer
Alan Maley	....	title designer

Production Companies

• Walt Disney Productions

Distributors

• Buena Vista Distribution Company (1967) (USA) (theatrical)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (19??) (USA) (DVD)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (BVHE) (2004) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

141 min | Sweden:118 min | USA:159 min (re-release) | USA:164 min (original version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:G (video rating) | Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:G

Company:

Walt Disney Productions

Trivia:

Cordelia Biddle Duke Robertson (1898 - 1984) co-wrote (with Kyle Crichton) the book upon which both the movie and play "The Happiest Millionaire" were based, "My Philadelphia Father." After her divorce from Angier Buchanan Duke (who, unlike his character in the movie, was actually more than a decade her senior), she made a far happier marriage to architect Thomas Robertson, a marriage which lasted until his death in 1962. Like her father, she enjoyed an active life devoted to many charitable activities. By most accounts, she was one of those women who grew more attractive as they grew older, prompting a reporter to state "The aura of youth clinging to this illusion. It is no product that can be bought in a beauty shop or designer's salon. Hers is a youth that laughs at the insolent years..." Active almost to the end of her life, she died at her home in Southhampton, New York.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The Biddle Mansion at 2104 Walnut Street is shown as being directly across Walnut Street(the North side of Walnut Street) from Rittenhouse Square. In fact, Rittenhouse Square is between 18th and just beyond 19th Street on the South side of Walnut Street. 2104 is two blocks West and also on the South side of Walnut Street. This block is now occupied by a high-ride apartment building.

Quotes:

[first lines]
John Lawless:[singing] Well now, ain't this an elegant neighborhood, all the residents dressed so fine! One day off the boat am I, with a job that's nearly mine! 'Tis a job with an elegant millionaire, and his elegant family! Today I move from immigrant - to high society!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001)

Soundtrack:

DETROIT

''Let's Have A Drink On It!''

Yes, "The Happiest Millionaire" was Walt Disney's last film. Yes, it was obviously made to top "Mary Poppins" and yes, like many late-sixties musicals, it flopped at the box office. 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 cast, headed by Disney Stalwart Fred MacMurray and legendary star Greer Garson (in her last film appearance) is excellent. The musical numbers are fun and engaging and the players do them well. Both Lesley Ann Warren and John Davidson were introduced in this film and proved an ideal pair of romantic leads. 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. Many scenes are stolen by Geraldine Page playing Davidson's haughty mother, and Tommy Steele can sing and dance with the best of them. There is also a grand performance from Gladys Cooper as the family matriarch. And, for "Poppins" fans, Hermione Baddely appears as the Irish housekeeper. There is also a brief bit by Joan Marshall, the star of William Castle's "Homicidal" (billed as Jean Arless) as a maid. The fact that this story is (loosely) based on the prominent Biddle family of Philadelphia, adds to the fun. Because the film was released after Disney's death and exhibitors complained about its long running time, it was drastically edited, shortening and removing several scenes, as well as one musical number ("It Won't Be Long Till Christmas"), and here is where the controversy comes in. Garson was originally cast as Mrs. Duke, after the part was turned down by several actresses, including Geraldine Page. Just before filming began however, Page changed her mind, and Greer ended up as Mrs. Biddle. (a part she was not anxious to play). She agreed to the switch when she heard the score--especially "It Won't Be Long Till Christmas" which was her one musical number. Indeed she COULD sing, and she did so in a few of her '40's films. 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. 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.