The Millionairess (1960)

A Millionairess and a doctor cannot marry until they meet conditions set-up by their respective parents.

Director:

Anthony Asquith

Writers:

George Bernard Shaw (play) (as Bernard Shaw), Riccardo Aragno (adaptation)

Stars:

Sophia Loren, Peter Sellers, Alastair Sim

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sophia Loren	...	Epifania
Peter Sellers	...	Doctor Kabir
Alastair Sim	...	Sagamore
Vittorio De Sica	...	Joe (as Vittorio de Sica)
Dennis Price	...	Doctor Adrian Bland
Gary Raymond	...	Alastair
Alfie Bass	...	Fish Curer
Miriam Karlin	...	Mrs. Joe
Noel Purcell	...	Professor
Virginia Vernon	...	Polly
Graham Stark	...	Butler
Diana Coupland	...	Nurse
Pauline Jameson	...	Muriel
Eleanor Summerfield	...	Mrs. Willoughby
Willoughby Goddard	...	President

Storyline

London-based Millionairess Epifania (Sophia Loren) is attracted to Dr. Kabir (MD from Delhi and PhD from Calcutta), who is more intent on treating patients. When she persists, he confides in her that he had made a commitment to his late widowed seamstress mother that he will wed any woman who will manage to survive on just Rs.500/-, for 90 days. She finds out that this sum is equivalent to just 35 shillings but readily accepts this challenge. She also informs him that her late father had also imposed a condition that she must wed a male who will turn £500 into £15000 within the same period. Epifania then finds employment with an Italian firm, ends up re-organizing, and turning up the firm's profits. At the end of 90 days, she goes to meet Kabir and discovers that he has not only given all the money away but also has no interest whatsoever in marrying her.

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Plot Keywords:

river thames | london england | love | italian | indian | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

At 14 minutes into the film, Epifania (Sophia Loren) climbs a bridge railing and jumps into the River Thames. That bridge was the "New" London Bridge, and it now stands. The original bridge, after being dismantled, was shipped to America, and reconstructed at Lake Havasu City, Arizona USA.

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Quotes

Epifania Parerga: Our marriage was just a succession of boxing matches.

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Crazy Credits

The end of the film finishes with 'And they lived happily ever after'.

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Connections

Referenced in Hancock: The Bedsitter (1961)

User Reviews

Poorly written and unconvincing

This film starts off with Sophia Loren inheriting her father's fortune after his death. Early on, I disliked the movie as Loren's character was ridiculous--more of a caricature than a real millionairess. I'm a bit surprised I didn't turn off the movie and actually stuck with it. In so many ways, her selfish and petulant routine was almost like a burlesque of that sort of person, as it was too broad and not the least bit subtle or believable. Rarely have I ever felt this annoyed by Loren--a genuinely bad role for the otherwise talented actress. The only saving grace for this incredibly annoying creature was her solicitor, played by Alistair Sim--whose indifference to her ridiculous behavior was at least enjoyable.

After Loren proves unlucky in love, she happens to run into an Indian doctor (played by Peter Sellers). Unlike other men, he is completely indifferent to her boorish misbehaviors or ample 'charms'. And, since Loren is playing a spoiled screwball, she falls for Sellers and does almost anything to get him. Frankly, this is an interesting but utterly ridiculous idea--and certainly not enough of a basis for a movie, as there is absolutely no chemistry between them and it didn't make sense. Sellers is pretty good and realistic in this role, but it isn't comedic in the least--despite the film being a comedy! In fact, his Indian character from THE PARTY would have probably worked better with this sort of broad comedy.

Overall, a rather pointless waste of the talents of the actors. You'd think they could have done better. But, actors cannot overcome bad writing and indifferent direction. Clearly a misfire.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 October 1960 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Millionairess

Filming Locations:

Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Dimitri De Grunwald Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Colour by) (Eastman Color)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1