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 | guardhouse | tycoon | condemned man | road hog | 

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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

Three sequences intended for the movie were not in the final print: "The Pheeneys" with Cary Grant, Richard Arlen and Miriam Hopkins, "The Man Who Drops Dead" by Oliver H.P. Garrett, directed by Thornton Freeland with Tallulah Bankhead, and Clive Brook, and "The Randall Marshalls" with Sylvia Sidney, Carole Lombard, Randolph Scott and Fredric March, and directed by Lothar Mendes. It is not known if the first two segments were filmed and dropped or simply not filmed. The last sequence was partially filmed, but dropped because March would not participate in retakes without salary.

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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

John Wallace: I don't want my soul saved! I want to live!

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Alternate Versions

Some local censors deleted objectionable scenes in the "Violet" and "Death Cell" segments. In "Violet," when she throws off the covers and removes her stockings, and in "Death Cell," the preparation for execution and the opening of the door to the execution chamber.

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Connections

Referenced in Shadows of Suspense (2006)

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Soundtracks

(I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You
(1931) (uncredited)
Written by Spo-De-Odee
Sung by an unidentified male voice on a record

User Reviews

Excellent

Superb, episodic film showing what various people would do if they got a million dollars. The cast includes all of Paramount's biggest stars at the time and all the segments are by different directors. All the episodes are excellent--some are tragic, some are hilarious (the Fields one especially). All the acting is great (Raft especially) and there's never a dull moment. All of the episodes are short and don't wear out their welcome (the film is under 90 minutes). Basically, one of the best all-star films of the 30s--right up there with "Grand Hotel" or "The Women". If you get a chance, see it! It's well worth it.