If I Had a Million (1932)

A dying tycoon gives million-dollar windfalls to eight people picked from the city directory.

Directors:

James Cruze (uncredited), H. Bruce Humberstone (uncredited)

Writers:

Robert Hardy Andrews (based on a story by) (as Robert D. Andrews), Claude Binyon

Stars:

Gary Cooper, Charles Laughton, W.C. Fields

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gary Cooper	...	Steve Gallagher
Charles Laughton	...	Phineas V. Lambert
George Raft	...	Eddie Jackson
Jack Oakie	...	Private Mulligan
Richard Bennett	...	John Glidden
Charles Ruggles	...	Henry Peabody (as Charlie Ruggles)
Alison Skipworth	...	Emily La Rue
W.C. Fields	...	Rollo La Rue
Mary Boland	...	Mrs. Peabody
Roscoe Karns	...	Private O'Brien
May Robson	...	Mrs. Mary Walker

Storyline

Tycoon John Glidden, dying though still vigorous, is so dissatisfied with his relatives and associates that, rather than will his money to any of them, he decides to give it away in million-dollar amounts to strangers picked from the city directory. He picks a meek china salesman; a prostitute; a forger; two ex-vaudevilleans who hate road hogs; a condemned man; a mild-mannered clerk; a boisterous marine; and an oppressed inmate of an old ladies' home.

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Plot Keywords:

screwball comedy | tycoon | condemned man | road hog | relative | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 February 1933 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

China Shop

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min 83 min (USA) (DVD release)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Marc Lawrence.

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Goofs

The La Rues purchase 9 vehicles from the used car lot and drive out in one car followed by 8 other vehicles. At the end of the day when they are down to one car, they only pay off 6 drivers.

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Quotes

Agnes: And I wish you'd remember you're not handling cigar boxes but an automobile.
Rollo La Rue: I find it very difficult at this time to remember that you're a woman.
Agnes: I wish you'd forget it. I'd like nothing better than to knock your ears down into your neck.
Rollo La Rue: [Fields pulls back as if shocked or afraid. As Agnes walks away, he calls after her] I suppose you forget the day I busted you in the nose in Cincinnatah... ah, ha, ha.
Emily La Rue: Come along, Rollo dear.
Rollo La Rue: Yes, my little glow worm.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Hist-o-Rama: W.C. Fields (1961)

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Soundtracks

Sweet Genevieve
(1869) (uncredited)
Music by Henry Tucker
Lyrics by George Cooper
Played as dance music at the Idylwood home
Also sung a cappella by Richard Bennett

User Reviews

A great batch of short stories

Thank heavens for fans of W.C. Fields, because it is they who have kept this diamond in the public forum after all these years. The film certainly does not belong to Fields, as his Road Hog routine is just one of eight stories of varying lengths. But fortunately, his fans discovered this film so the rest of us can truly enjoy everything else it has to offer, as well. A collection of writers presented eight stories of people who get an unexpected windfall from a steel tycoon. Some are funny, some are touching, some are brilliant in their brevity, some just make you think. Just desserts is the main theme. The Eddie Jackson (George Raft) segment is twistedly ironic enough to be a "Twilight Zone" episode. And EVERYBODY wants to be Phineas Lambert (Charles Laughton). Great writing, great cast - a good time.