The Happiest Millionaire (1967) User Reviews

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

[phillindholm · 8/10 · 4 May 2006]

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.

A most musical musical!

[GEM-20 · 8/10 · 30 July 2004]

When I was a boy, I'm in my 40s now, my mother would get Disney albums in the mail. They contained music from the soundtracks of movies. Consequently, I was familiar with the songs long before I had seen the films. 'Happiest Millionaire' was one of them, but I have never seen the movie until 2004 when I bought it on DVD, and it was fantastic!

The version on the disc lasts close to 3 hours. It is a 'Roadshow Edition,' and that is entirely enjoyable. It begins with a music overture. In the middle of the film is an intermission, and after the movie is over, there is another musical medley with the word 'Exit' on the screen. That must have been there to remind people to leave the theater!

I see that on IMDb it gets an average rating of 5.5. Maybe that comes from the shorter, lesser cuts of the film. This restored edition is much better than that. My children loved it, too! They were literally glued to the screen for the duration of the movie.

This is easily the most musical of any film I have ever seen. That is one of the reasons the movie is so entertaining. Tommy Steele looks as if he is having a lot of fun, and that feeling is contagious.

'Happiest Millionaire' was released in 1967, the year after Walt Disney died, but he loved this film. The music is by the Sherman brothers, the same duo who gave us the unforgettable tunes in 'Mary Poppins.' I think it is sad that these kinds of films are no longer made. The great family oriented musicals are gone. Can anyone recommend 'Moulin Rouge' or 'Chicago' to their children?

And yet, this is not necessarily a kids' movie. Walt Disney had the genius to understand that things need to appeal to everyone. That was the inspiration behind Disneyland.

Out of four stars, I rate this: ***

A fun, lighthearted musical with excellent songs by Disney's Sherman Brothers.

[adavis77 · 8/10 · 18 October 2002]

This picture has some excellent songs written by the same team of song writers that wrote the award winning songs for Walt Disney's MARY POPPINS. The opening number of "Fortousity" is a delight. Although this movie is based on a true story about Cordelia Drexel Biddle, I would recommend it more as a lighthearted and fun movie for the whole family.

An under-rated Disney Classic

[nataliefanone · 7 October 2002]

"The Happiest Millionaire" is a lively musical adaptation of the hit 1957 Broadway play that starred Walter Pidgeon as Anthony Drexel Biddle. The play was written by Kyle Crichton, who adapted it from a biographical book he co-wrote with Biddle's daughter Cordelia, "My Philadelphia Father."

As adapted to the screen by AJ Carothers (who would go on to create the TV sitcom "Nanny and the Professor"), "Millionaire" tells the story of eccentric millionaire Biddle and his family in 1916 Philadelphia.

The movie actually isn't really about Biddle at all, instead it focuses on his daughter Cordelia [Lesley Ann Warren in her big screen debut] and her impending romance with Angier Duke [John Davidson in his big screen debut].

The two youngsters fall in love much to the dismay of Angier's mother [Geraldine Page]. The clash between Philadelphia "old money" [the Biddles] and New York's nouveau riche [the Dukes] comes into play, but ultimately love conquers all in the final reel.

Thrown in for good measure is Tommy Steele as "John Lawless", an Irish immigrant whose landed a job as the Biddles' new butler. He's the film's "narrator" of sorts and oversees the proceedings as they unfold.

The score is provided by Disney veterans Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman [of "Mary Poppins" fame], and while this score does not exactly reach the caliber of their work in "Poppins" it's not entirely bad either. There are some "gems": "Fortuosity", "Let's Have A Drink On It", "Valentine Candy" and "Are We Dancing" among them.

The choreography by Marc Beaux and Dee Dee Wood ["Poppins" and "The Sound of Music"] is brought to life by both Tommy Steele and Lesley Ann Warren.

Screen legend Greer Garson is Cordelia Drexel Biddle, Sr. and generally plays it straight opposite MacMurray's eccentric-slightly goofy portrayal. Also in the cast Gladys Cooper ["My Fair Lady"] as Aunt Mary, Paul Petersen ["The Donna Reed Show"] as Anthony, Jr., Eddie Hodges as Livingston and Hermoine Baddeley ["Mary Poppins"] as the Biddle's maid.

At an original 164 minute running time, "Millionaire" may seem to some a bit excessive in length, and while this may be true it is still in my opinion a very entertaining movie which for some reason or another Disney has ignored [save for an occasional 3 am screening on "The Disney Channel"]. It took Anchor Bay Entertainment to save this gem from relative obscurity when in 1998 they licensed the film from the Disney studios and released it on VHS and DVD in both a general release and road show edition. Disney finally got wise and finally dusted off the film's soundtrack and released the long out-of-print score in August 2002.

I recommend this film for it's music, it's light-heartedness and a compelling motion picture debut by the multi-talented Lesley Ann Warren.

Happiest Millionaire- Money the Root of All Fun **1/2

[edwagreen · 6/10 · 4 August 2007]

Despite a phenomenal cast, "The Happiest Millionaire" really never takes off.

This is probably because the star of the film should have been butler Tommy Steele who begins the picture on a high note with the clever tune Fortuosity. Steele is toothy and with that broad smile, he could easily captivate audiences. Unfortunately, he soon falls into a rather supporting role to an eccentric Biddle family.

Fred MacMurray is all right for the part but his monotone voice is annoying at times. As his wife, Greer Garson, is wonderful. She depicts that regal elegance that made her so famous through the years. She is just an older, elegant version of Mrs. Miniver and all the other great roles she had in the 1940s.

Gladys Cooper is a rather tame Auntie here. Cooper was always at her best when she was an upper class mean person. The upper class is certainly there but where is her usual nastiness? Ditto for Geraldine Page. Page as Lesley Ann Warren's prospective mother-in-law causes mayhem as she usually did in pictures. This being a musical comedy, her usual frustrations are missing and we could have used them there.

Enough with the alligator scenes already. MacMurray and family wear their bible shirts and practice boxing. MacMurray is anxious for the U.S. to be prepared for World War 1 and he urges President Wilson for this preparedness.

The big surprise of this film is that all our players could carry a tune. I thought that the argument scene between Cooper and Page would have been exacerbated.

The film falters as we have seen the bar-room brawls and social fights among the upper classes in society before.

Fantastic Family Film

[AkiraKaneda · 10/10 · 10 May 2002]

I have always loved musicals, but I've never cared for the most popular ones from the 50s and 60s, such as "The Sound Of Music". However, "The Happiest Millionaire" scores on every level. The music is superb, and there's a ton of it. Tommy Steele does indeed steal the show as a new immigrant who shows up for an interview to become a butler, not quite realizing how wacky the Biddle family really is. His tunes are the most lively, particularly the bar scene. However, others such as Fred Macmurray and Leslie Anne Warren really shine here too. And who knew John Davidson had talents outside of being a game show host? This is a real diamond in the rough.

Some minor guidelines - the Roadshow edition has quite a bit of extra footage, and for those of us who know the standard edition by heart, it's great to find little bits and pieces (20 minutes worth, overall) that we've never seen, including parts of some of the songs. However, the standard edition is a tighter movie and keeps things moving more quickly - and since the standard edition is already over 2 hours and 20 minutes, I'd recommend it first. Then if you like it, the Roadshow gives you more of the best stuff.

This was Disney's last picture, and from all accounts he loved it, even though it was unsuccessful due to being released at just the wrong time. With 30 years distance, though, it is still so much fun that I'd love to see it made into an actual Broadway show. Oh, well, one can dream...

Another Philadelphia Story

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 13 June 2008]

Live Disney musicals that were made after Mary Poppins had an almost impossible standard to meet. Even with a lot of the same talent that brought us Mary Poppins, The Happiest Millionaire falls well short of the accolades that Mary Poppins won.

Not that it's a bad film by any means, just not an outstanding one. Uncle Walt once again made use of the Sherman Brothers to write the score. Their best number is right at the beginning of the film and sung by Tommy Steele, Fortuosity.

The film is based originally on a book of memoirs that Cordelia Biddle Duke wrote about growing up in Philadelphia with her eccentric father. The book was co-authored with Kyle Crichton who also authored a Broadway play The Happiest Millionaire which ran a respectable 271 performances in 1956-57 and starred Walter Pidgeon.

Taking Pidgeon's place for the screen is Disney's favorite star Fred MacMurray. The story takes place 1916-17 in Philadelphia where we meet Anthony Drexel Biddle a man who keeps pet alligators he captured in the Everglades and believes that Christianity should walk hand in hand with pugilism. He gives both Bible and boxing classes in the stately Biddle manor.

Although she did television through the next decade occasionally The Happiest Millionaire marked the farewell big screen appearance of Greer Garson. Greer's fine in the part as the ever patient wife, but I see traces of that other perfect wife of the big screen, Myrna Loy in the part.

Although daughter Cordelia wrote the book, the film is really seen through the eyes of the newly hired butler, who himself is newly arrived from Ireland. My favorite in this film is Tommy Steele as John Lawless the butler who just fits right into the general zaniness of things. And Steele has the best song.

Lesley Ann Warren and John Davidson make an appealing pair of young lovers as Davidson is quite intimidated by the eccentric MacMurray. Others in the cast are Geraldine Page as Davidson's grand dame of a mother, Gladys Cooper as an even grander dame as MacMurray's aunt and Hermione Baddely as a maid who lets nothing faze her.

The Happiest Millionaire is not Mary Poppins, but it's still contains it share of magic from the Magic Kingdom.

instantly out-of-date family musical -- for kids

[hbs · 5/10 · 25 August 2000]

It's hard to believe that this was made in 1967 -- it seems like something from the 40's. It's not bad, and young kids will probably like it, but it apparently was released with a big thud, and it's easy to see why. Greer Garson is as unbelievably elegant as ever, but she doesn't have a lot to do. MacMurray is okay, but no musical star, and you long for the days of "Double Indemnity" when you see the indignities he suffered in his later years. Leslie Ann Warren is as cute a button, and surely deserves better than John Davidson, who at least can sing, but not much else. Gladys Cooper provides some much needed edge and Hermione Baddeley some humor, but they have near-cameo roles. Tommy Steele provides the only real energy, but it just isn't enough.

What's more interesting is that this pablum is based on real people, and poking around on the internet I got a glimpse of what appears to be far more interesting and complex lives than you'd dream of from the movie. Apparently this Biddle was a decendent of the Drexels, who founded Drexel Institute and the investment banking firm that bore his name (and was far from the first important banker of that name). Also, these Biddles married into the Duke (of Duke University and "big tobacco" fame) more than once. The character played by Davidson in the movie died in 1923, having fathered 3 children (if I counted right) and his sister married his wife's oldest brother.

The Biddle father went on to become a colonel in WWI and then either his oldest son or he became a Major General in WWII. The father wrote a book on hand-to-hand combat which is out of print, but listed on Amazon.com. His grandson served as head of two U.S. State Dept. missions.

I'm sure that there are some fascinating stories in the history of this extended family given that I was able to find all this in about 1/2 hour using Google and looking in an encyclopedia. This has nothing to do with the movie, but it seemed related enough to put it in.

Anyway, get the movie for your kids if you are sick of "Mary Poppins". They'll like it and it will be a nice change for you.

The last true example of Disney brilliance

[todd836 · 10/10 · 15 October 2003]

The Happiest Millionaire has stayed with me since the first time I saw it when I was a child of four. Since then I have watched this brilliant blend of brilliant writing, music and even better acting dozens, perhaps a hundred times. Why should my comments weigh a little heavier than other posted? Because I am only 21 years old. This movie came out twenty five years before I did and my love for it speaks of its timeless charm. I won't give away one single hint of the plot for those who are checking this having never seen the film. Do yourself a favor and let the picture remind us of a time ( a time some of us have never known) of great innocence and beauty. I speak not only of 1916, when the film took place but also of 1967 when shortly before his death Walt Disney himself oversaw the making of this movie. It has been said in reviews that this film was supposed to compete with the earlier success of Mary Poppins and while the box office or revenue reports will show that the masses did not experience it, it does not show that they would not have appreciated it. I am your run of the mill 21 year old college student who likes all sorts of movies but I treasure this and several other films of the era with many of the same actors, DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!!!!!

Fine work from the Shermans, and some other good stuff too

[marcslope · 7/10 · 2 July 2019]

I loved this movie when I was eight, and a re-viewing of the 172-minute roadshow version on DVD reveals it to be a pleasant, tuneful, middle-of-the-road Disney effort that showed up at an unfortunate moment (when too many big musicals were clogging the market). Based on a hit Broadway play from ten years earlier, it's a leisurely--maybe a little too leisurely--look at the Biddles of Philadelphia during the runup to America's entry into the First World War, and the rather overlong romance of Cordelia Drexel Biddle and Angier Duke. Since they're played by a young Lesley Anne Warren and John Davidson, they're at least nice to look at and listen to, and there are some other standouts in the cast as well. As bickering representatives of both families, Gladys Cooper and Geraldine Page share a duet, "There Are Those," with lyrics worthy of Cole Porter--"posing cozy on their rosy status quos." Tommy Steele has a couple of energetic numbers and isn't as relentlessly hyper as he is in "Half a Sixpence" or "Finian's Rainbow," and Greer Garson, in the uninteresting mom's role, is warm and elegant. It's a sumptuous production, costing $10 million in 1967 dollars, and the costumes, sets, and cinematography are knock-your-eye-out. (The "Detroit" montage sequence is particularly luscious.) The Sherman Brothers are working at the same high level they brought to "Mary Poppins," and a couple of numbers, "It Won't Be Long Till Christmas" and MacMurray's "What's Wrong With That?" reprise, are really pretty deep and touching about family relationships and letting go of the kids, not something you'd expect from a big Disney musical. MacMurray's character is more than a little annoying and one-note, and AJ Carothers' screenplay is trite, and there's no dramaturgical reason this thing has to run on for nearly three hours. Nevertheless, to me it's comfort food, a lavish relic from the last gasp of Hollywood's studio system, and far less of a misfire than some other enormous '60s musicals that helped kill off the genre for decades.

Forced happiness...

[moonspinner55 · 3/10 · 20 June 2006]

Kyle Crichton's non-musical play, based on the book "My Philadelphia Father" by Cordelia Drexel Biddle, has been given the Walt Disney treatment with songs. But Broadway audiences got Walter Pigeon in the lead and moviegoers were saddled with Disney mainstay Fred MacMurray (cast at Walt's insistence), and he's about as joyless as always. MacMurray plays wealthy Anthony J. Drexel Biddle, heading up the household of a frantically gay, unconventional family in 1916 Philadelphia. 'Old-fashioned' in the worst sense, the movie seems to combine the weakest qualities of "Mary Poppins" with the scenarios of other morally uplifting family dramas of the 1940s (such as "Life With Father"). Lesley Ann Warren tries hard as MacMurray's daughter (about to be wed to John Davidson, playing a mama's boy) and Geraldine Page is a surprising choice as a high-society in-law (she has a terrific number, "There are Those", with Gladys Cooper). However, the escaped alligators, the generally colorless songs by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman, and Tommy Steele--often addressing the camera directly as an Irish immigrant employed as the family's butler--are fearsome. The film premiered at 164 minutes and was later shortened for general release to 118 minutes--and it still feels too long. *1/2 from ****

A DELIGHT

[mntwister · 10/10 · 19 April 2003]

I am not sure why some of the people disliked the film so much. The musical score by the Sherman Brothers is first class, the casting excellent, and the story moving. It seems to me those who review films like this in the negative really can't sit down and be entertained for a few hours. One doesn't always need a deep movie....a person can watch this film and feel good when it's over, and to me, that's what film is best at.

I just watched for the 6th time the dvd of the roadshow edition, and it is much better than the edited version. The ending was too abrupt before, and now we have not only an extra song, but a much better climax, that of a grand musical.

Leslie Ann Warren and John Davidson make their screen debut, and both are perfectly cast. The soundtrack on the dvd has been restored and sounds wonderful, especially in scenes with an orchestra, and the picture quality is very good for the period.

The best thing about this film is the score of the wonderful Sherman Brothers. Songs like FORTUOSITY,ARE WE DANCING, I'LL ALWAYS BE IRISH, DETROIT, NO DILLY DALLY, THERE ARE THOSE are much under-rated. This is an excellent original musical score.

Highly recommend for kids, families, and grown ups with a child still within.

The Sherman Brothers try, in vain, to recapture past magic.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 18 February 2022]

After the tremendous success of "Mary Poppins", the musical writing duo of the Sherman Brothers were on top of the world. Their songs were truly memorable and the film a huge hit. But, amazingly, just a few years later, the duo tried again to have a hit musical...only to have it flop miserably. There were two main problems...the quality of the songs in "The Happiest Millionaire" simply wasn't there (such as the oft repeated "Fortuosity") AND a few of the singers had no right to ever sing a note in any musical. Perrenial game show guest Joyce Bulifant was godawful in the film when she sang....and Fred MacMurray wasn't much better nor was Gladys Cooper. Why they would have any of them sing is beyond me. No wonder the film did poorly simply because of these two big problems.

You also know that the film was a troubled project when it clocked in at nearly three hours but the studio chopped it down several times to shorter lengths in an attempt to gain traction. And traction is something the film just couldn't establish.

The story is about an eccentric rich guy (MacMurray) and his family, in particular, his comely daughter (Leslie Ann Warren). It's on the eve of the US entry into WWI and although life seems sweet, problems are on the horizon. Anthony Biddle (MacMurray) operates a strange Bibile school, which is like a combination of a Bible program and YMCA...stressing exercise and manliness. He also keeps pet alligators for some inexplicable reason. In the midst of this manliest of households is Biddle's youngest daughter, Cordelia (Warren)...a tom-boy who wants to go away to college and live like a normal lady. And, in the process, she falls in love...which means a lot of singing. Unfortunately, the boyfriend's family, though rich, is nothing like Cordelia's and it threatens their pending nuptuals.

Overall, this is NOT a bad film...though a disappointing one. The story itself is good...the songs, certainly, are not. And, since there are so many forgettable songs, it makes the story drag. Worth seeing but considering the film's length, you might just want to pass on this one.

Mousterpiece of Awfulness

[davepitts · 2/10 · 3 February 2010]

This laughably bad musical gets 2 stars just because it's fun to watch in the "What were they thinking?" mode. It's impossibly long. On DVD, in the road show version, it is the death and burial of 172 minutes of your life. Every 5 minutes, another horrible song, usually in the bad music hall style of 60s variety shows. For the beau you get the #1 Macy's mannequin of 60s TV, John Davidson, here named ANGIE DUKE!! (Again, what were they thinking? Angie Duke, a name to be archived for a denim-thonged cutie on the Dukes of Hazzard?) For cheery butler, you get Tommy Steele, grinning insanely and kicking up his heels -- very much like the Lawrence Welk vocalists who smile, smile, smile, smile as they sing. Number after number, all done in an exaggerated, high-stepping, head-tossing style. As I watched it, I dreaded any line of dialogue that might result in another inane song. And by the way, what child wants to sit through this many charmless easy listenin' ditties just to see a few scenes with runaway alligators? In 172 minutes, there's almost no story. Fred MacMurray (pretty good, but he can't do much with a part that has him saying, "Blast!" in every scene) is a Philadelphia millionaire who raises alligators and conducts musical Bible lessons with local marine recruits. His daughter gets engaged to a young New Yorker with an equally boring family. That's pretty much it. A few mysteries: Why did they include the 2 sons(Eddie Hodges and Paul Peterson)? After an early scene where they scare off their sister's suitor (and, of course, perform a cheery, exaggerated song), they vanish. Why were voice doubles used for MacMurray and Greer Garson toward the end? I guess the DVD included a restored scene with a damaged soundtrack. The MacMurray double was notably "off." Good cast in a long, charmless, cheerless stinker.

Disney's Last Live Action Film is One of His Greatest!

[BobLib · 15 September 1999]

I remember the first time I saw this terrific film. I was nine going on ten and living in Westchester County, New York, at the time. "Happiest Millionaire" was the Christmas attraction at Radio City Music Hall that year [1967] and it was a delight! The performances, particularly those of Tommy Steele, Fred MacMurray, and Leslie Ann Warren are all bursting with effervescence and energy, and the Sherman brothers' songs, if not up to their work on "Mary Poppins," (But, then, what could be?) are consistently pleasant and enjoyable. As the last complete film that Walt Disney was to oversee before his death, it's one of his best latter-day works.

Which is why I find the critical drubbing it's taken over the years, particularly Leonard Maltin's in his book "The Disney Films," so hard to understand. "Happiest Millionaire" is what many family films try to be today, rarely succeeding. I was given a video of it as a present recently and found it just as enjoyable as I did 32 years ago, if not more so. Plus, living in the Philadelphia area as I do today, there's the historical interest, as well.

In short, "Happiest Millionaire" was great in 1967, and even better today. If you can see it, by all means do. You'll be in for a rare treat and a hidden treasure from the Disney vaults!

This movie will always be Irish and full of Alligators

[fom4life · 6/10 · 12 October 2008]

"In the tradition of Mary Poppins". That is the tag line on the DVD cover that Disney put on the cover of 'The Happy Millionaire' to try and entice potential viewers. What's wrong with that?

I got this film from the library expecting a regular normal comedy. But instead I got a musical. I like musicals but was surprised because I wasn't expecting it. What's wrong with that? It is not a musical classic and a minor Disney classic if it is at all. It has the same type off charm that 'High School Musical' has. The songs aren't all that memorable but the characters have such fun singing them, that it is at least fun to watch. What's wrong with that?

The dancing is fun to watch to. There is something always fun about watching people break out into song when they could just as easily said what they wanted to say without singing. It is so unlike real life where boring people just talk to one another with out music coming from nowhere to liven up their lives. This is the type of picture that if you watched often enough you would grow to really like it. It's likable as it is, but maybe not enough to watch it again.

The film has some fun things in it, such as Fred MacMurray. He is amusing as a 'happy millionaire', the founder of Biddle Boxing and Bible School, who owns of all things, pet alligators. Doesn't everyone want one? The new maid at one point leaves the window open during the wintertime, freezing all the alligators in their tubs of water. When they de-thaw they aren't dead and crawl around the mansion scaring the new maid half to death. That's fun. He also likes to challenge various visitors to put on the boxing gloves. For an old guy he is quite good. Who would have thought? What is also fun is watching Fred run his Bibble Bible class. That is his name by the way, Mr. Bibble. It is a spiritual work out of body, mind, and soul. It is Exercise while learning about the good book. That is Fortuosity. That's me bi word.

An Irishman (John Lawless) played by Tommy Steele, a popular singer. He has a fun time singing a song about how he will always be Irish even if he becomes an American. He then has a fun little short number dancing while holding the alligator on a leash. Another great moment in the film., in her film debut), At one point as he is talking to the audience, Fred comes over to ask what who he is talking to. He says no one. He replies 'Well you know what they say about those who talk to themselves.' A fun little gag.

There is also Fred's beautiful daughter, Cordy played by Lesley Ann Warren in her film debut. Man is she gorgeous. I was thinking before I wrote this review that this is at least a rental, but I have enjoyed it more the second time I put it in after taking a break from it. So I'll see what my opinion is by the end of the film. At this point the 2nd part of the film has just started.

The 2nd half has an amusing dance number in a beer hall that turns into an amusing brawl. The Irishman is in the middle of the whole thing and never once gets hit. Yeah for the Irish!

After watching this film, I have concluded that this movie has many amusing and fun bits. But as a whole it's only kina so so. So it is at least worth a rental. If some of the scenes were edited down to a few parts it would be worth keeping. What's wrong with that ?

Interesting little fact. This was the last live-action feature film that Walt Disney saw completed before his death in December 1966. He never saw the film released to the public.

One of my all-time favorites!

[captgeoslady · 10/10 · 9 April 2002]

When I saw this movie as a little girl, in the movie theater, I loved it for its songs and the dancing and especially Tommy Steele! Now that I am a grandmother, I still love it - for the above and for lots more. This movie makes me feel good - and isn't that what movies are for?

A lot of commitment and effort, but overlong and lacking emotional weight

[IonicBreezeMachine · 6/10 · 22 March 2021]

Set in 1916 Philadelphia, the story centers on Anthony J. Drexel Biddle (Fred MacMurray) an eccentric millionaire who thumbs his nose at the conventions of high society expectations and uses his fortune to pursue interests in Christianity, athletics, and theatricals just to name a few. After his daughter Cordy (Lesley Ann Warren) goes off to boarding school with her father's reluctant permission she returns home with fiancee, Angier Buchanan Duke (John Davidson), in tow and finds himself challenged in accepting the situation.

The Happiest Millionaire is based on the book, My Philadelphia Father, by Cordelia Drexel Biddle which chronicled the exploits of her father Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle Sr. It had been adapted into a successful Broadway stage production in 1956 with MGM securing the film rights, but nothing came of it. The film rights were then obtained by Walt Disney in the 60s who originally had planned on more of a straightforward biopic, but after the successes of big elaborate roadshow musicals such as Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, and Disney's own Mary Poppins, it was decided to turn the film into a musical epic with the intention to outdo Mary Poppins. Unfortunately the movie ended up less than the sum of its parts because while the Happiest Millionaire does have clear trade craft and effort on display, it falls far short of justifying itself as a musical epic.

I think the biggest issue with the movie is that it just doesn't lend itself to a musical format despite the filmmakers earnest attempts to do so. While true(ish) stories have been adapted to musicals quite successfully with the likes of Sound of Music, The King and I, Evita, or Gypsy are usually based on very turbulent and dynamic stories. While Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle Sr. is certainly a point of curiosity for those interested in his roles in WWI and II training marines or his work with Athletic Christianity, his life story just doesn't have enough drama to work well with in the framework of a straight forward film narrative, let alone a musical.

There are large sections of this movie where the titular "happiest millionaire" is completely absent from the movie and instead we focus on Cordy and her relationship with her future husband (whom she later divorced in real life) Angie and even though there's slightly more narrative drive in these scenes, it's a very basic romance that doesn't feel passionate or even all that well developed. The movie does get a little more engaging after intermission when the engagement of Cordy and Angie is announced and there's some mildly funny exchanges and jibes poking fun at the snootiness of the New York High Society of the 1910s, and it does lead to the most memorable musical number, There Are Those, where two wealthy women from New York and Philadelphia exchange thinly veiled insults at each other while the Butler impotently tries to defuse any escalation but even with more focus and drive in the second half there's still remarkably little that actually happens.

Director Norman Tokar is extremely out of his element here as it's clear from the first scene he has absolutely no idea how to handle or frame epic musicals. Having started his career with sitcoms like Leave it to Beaver or the Donna Reed Show Tokar transitioned to Disney movies in the early 60s with some very middle of the road animal movies and a comedies with only one or two standouts getting okay reviews. Why Disney thought it was a good idea to give Mary Poppins director Blackbeard's Ghost and a sitcom director a musical is anyone's guess but it's a huge miscalculation as shots often feel overly empty or tightly cramped. One sequence, a theoretical showstopper, Let's Have a Drink on It is lacking in scope as an elaborate tavern sequence with good choreography and well coordinated flips and jumps isn't given the room or framing it needs to give a proper experience to the sequence as it's either filmed too close to principal actors or at an awkward angle diagonally from a static crane shot.

The music by the usually reliable Sherman Brothers is mostly disappointing. While some songs do stand out such as There Are Those and Let's Have a Drink on It are very well done, the majority of the songs just don't leave much of a lasting impact and don't pack the duos usual heft.

The Happiest Millionaire isn't very good, it's not a terrible film, but a subject matter that doesn't lend itself to musical format and a director who can't maintain pacing or trim bloat result in a rather underwhelming experience by Disney standards.

A musical that is at least one hour too long

[leandros-1 · 2/10 · 2 February 2008]

The Sherman brothers did their best..... (trying to copy the sound and atmosphere of "Mary Poppins" as much as they could) and Uncle Walt did what he could, I do understand that this movie never became popular and the big hit.

Where "Mary Poppins" or "The Sounds of Music" are still a joy and good stories, this one leads to nowhere. Scenes with Alligators and all the boxing that make no sense, songs in every place to prolong the movie into an almost 3 hour drama/sit.

The only interesting and -really- humorous scene is the first meeting of Mrs. Duke (Geraldine Page) and Aunt Mary Drexel (Gladys Cooper). And that is it....

I wish I had seen the Swedish copy, as it has only 118 minutes runtime. Probably the film would have been a little bit more to my liking..... and at least an hour shorter!!

Charming, underrated Disney musical!

[bmbdsm · 10/10 · 12 May 2012]

A young Irish man, fresh off the boat, immediately scores a job as the butler in the home of millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle. The Biddle home is no ordinary home- Biddle runs Bible classes in his home, keeps alligators in the conservatory, and is preparing to help with the war. His lovely young daughter, concerned that the goings-on in the home are keeping her from finding a beau, announces her desire to go to boarding school; reluctantly, Anthony lets her go. She comes back with a fiancée-Angier Duke, of the New York Dukes. Biddle gradually warms up to the engagement, and make plans for an elaborate wedding. But the young lovers didn't count on their families having a bitter argument between them. Will they ever find happiness amidst the troubles? This fine musical (somewhat reminiscent of "You Can't Take It With You", IMO) is known for being the last film produced by Walt Disney before his death. With the success of MARY POPPINS, Disney decided to gather some of the POPPINS team to try and recreate it's success. Unfortunately, the film didn't do as well as hoped, and the film was cut to try and make it more popular (the complete roadshow print is available on DVD). That is unfortunate, because the film is a pure delight from start to finish. The score by the Sherman Brothers is a lovely one, full of showstoppers (my personal favorite being the love song "Are We Dancing?"). An all-star cast delivers great performances, including Fred MacMurray, Greer Garson, energetic and ever-grinning Tommy Steele, Geraldine Page, and Lesley Ann Warren (CINDERELLA) and John Davidson in their film debuts. The production and costume design is impeccable, and remind one of the classic MGM musicals of the day. Check this one out; it is fun for the family, and you are guaranteed a great time! Recommended. 10/10.

"The Happiest Millionnaire" - Radiates True Happiness and Joy

[dorothysinger7 · 6/10 · 7 May 2012]

Great, old-fashioned musical for the family. As we began watching this action-packed musical, we were a little confused at first. I love the plot, which is loosely based on the true story of the Biddle family of Philadelphia. I loved the fact that the story is about a Christian man who is rich and even eccentric! Played by Fred MacMurray, one of my favorites, he showcases a great singing talent. Leslie Anne Warren made her debut in this film and also shows her dancing, singing talent, as well as acting (and looks beautiful in her costumes). The scenery caught my eye, but at first, I thought there was too much singing and dancing. I think Robert Sherman, who wrote the beautiful songs for "Mary Poppins" could have composed some better, more catchy tunes. (Although "Detroit" had been on my mind a long time after the movie). Tommy Steele is absolutely adorable. (I loved when he was speaking to the camera and Fred MacMurray, Mr. Biddle, asks, "Who are you talking to?" Hilarious.

John Davidson also looks great and showcases his singing, dancing and acting talents in his debut performance. What kept me watching during this long movie, at first, was the scenery and the alligator pets! I think this was a great film, but the songs, again, could have been better--to keep viewers better engaged. (Maybe not so many songs, also). The ending was a bit disappointing--maybe could have showed the alligators just one more time to add humor. But, all in all, a great family film. I applaud Walt Disney films!

I'm Not The Happiest Viewer

[boblipton · 5/10 · 3 September 2019]

Fred MacMurray is Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle I (1874-1948), the real-life scion of the banking family who practiced "Athletic Christianity", collected alligators and insisted that the Marine Corps box. The movie, the last live-action film that Walt Disney worked on personally, has a stellar cast (Greer Garson, Gladys Cooper, Lesley Ann Warren, Geraldine Page), a score by the Shermans, and was clearly intended to be as big a hit as MARY POPPINS. Unfortunately, the songs are not as good (although that may be a result of having MacMurray sing) and at more than 140 minutes, it seems ramshackle. Miss Warren as the daughter of the house, is cute as a button and her musical numbers are sweet and cute, but Tommy Steele as the butler, intended as the point-of-view character, is utterly muddled in this faux-LIFE WITH FATHER story.

Like many of the musicals of the 1960s, it was thought that the way to make a successful musical was to make it a roadshow production. Unfortunately, most of them were bloated.

Fun and Heart Warming Musical

[wingodsays · 10/10 · 29 August 2007]

This movie has been in my top ten of all time since I was a little girl. The music and the storyline are engaging, romantic, and family friendly. It is one that the whole family can enjoy together. It will make you and yours fall in love with musicals, theater, and the like again and again. For young girls, it is one of those movies that whisks you into an enchanted dream of the romance that awaits and the exciting possibilities of things to come. All the actors are amazing, but Lesley Ann Warren is astounding. Anyone who remembers the long and sadly forgotten age of musicals should gladly add this movie to their DVD collection as it is a classic.

long film, SO many songs.

[ksf-2 · 6/10 · 3 September 2019]

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.

Tall on Sugar, Short on Plot

[Dash_O_Pepper · 2/10 · 30 May 2008]

I purchased this as a gift for a friend, who had raved for the longest time about how enjoyable this film was. She was happy; I was bored.

The good: Bright, bubbly, effervescent Disney cinema. Excellent set design, with colourful sets. Tommy Steele is engaging, although his use of breaking the fourth wall becomes tedious after a while -- Dick Van Dyke he's not. Fred MacMurray surprised me. I'd forgotten that he actually did have a musical background, and while even Dennis Day would never have to fear his singing talent, he did manage to breathe emotion into his songs. (Not an easy task, considering how insipid the lyrics were.)

The bad: It's clear from the opening music that the intention of Walt Disney was to top Mary Poppins. Having set the bar that high to begin with, the film falters, sputters and stalls before it ever leaves the starting gate. The songs are forgettable. While the dancing is energetic, it's clear that the choreographer lifted the Chimney Sweep dance whole cloth from Mary Poppins, so few steps were changed.

The ugly: This is a movie in search of a plot. Whereas Meet Me in St. Louis had a brilliant score and strong direction to make up for its lack of plot, The Happiest Millionaire just drags. It's rather hard to cheer for MacMurray's Mr. Biddle, who is apparently a non-conformist who marches to his own drum, when he seems so white bread and square. (For the role as it should have been played, see Clifton Webb's turn in The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker.) There's also some down home Disney politicization occurring in the film. MacMurray's Mr. Biddle is very much in favour of America's joining England and France in World War I. While no one expects a Disney film to readily acknowledge the horrors of war, at a time when gas attacks and the brutality of trench warfare were known (the film was set in 1916), MacMurray's gung-ho attitude is off-putting. As this film was released in 1967, at a time when US involvement in Vietnam was starting to turn), it's pretty obvious that Uncle Walt was attempting some kind of pro-war message.

The film is safe for children, and they'd likely find it enjoyable. However, you might want to show it in two parts. At nearly three hours, the padding is very visible.