Comment claquer un million de dollars par jour? (1985)

A minor league baseball player has to spend $30 million in thirty days, in order to inherit $300 million. However, he's not allowed to own any assets, destroy the money, gift it, give it to charity or tell anyone about the deal.

Director:

Walter Hill

Writers:

George Barr McCutcheon (based on the novel by), Herschel Weingrod (screenplay)

Stars:

Richard Pryor, John Candy, Lonette McKee

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Pryor	...	Montgomery Brewster
John Candy	...	Spike Nolan
Lonette McKee	...	Angela Drake
Stephen Collins	...	Warren Cox
Jerry Orbach	...	Charley Pegler
Pat Hingle	...	Edward Roundfield
Tovah Feldshuh	...	Marilyn
Hume Cronyn	...	Rupert Horn
Joe Grifasi	...	J.B. Donaldo
Peter Jason	...	Chuck Fleming
David White	...	George Granville
Jerome Dempsey	...	Norris Baxter
David Wohl	...	Eugene Provost
Ji-Tu Cumbuka	...	Melvin
Milt Kogan	...	Heller

Storyline

Brewster is a minor league baseball player. Unknown to him, he had a (recently deceased) rich relative. In order to test if Brewster knows the value of money, he is given the task of disposing of $30m in 30 days. Brewster isn't allowed to have any assets to show for the $30m or waste the money in any way. If successful, Brewster gets to inherit $300m. The biggest problem of all however, is that Brewster can't tell anyone what he's doing, so everyone thinks he's crazy. Add to this the fact that if he fails, two scheming trustees will get their hands on the money, Brewster's task is not an easy one.

---

Plot Keywords:

minor league baseball | baseball player | spending money | wasting money | inheritance challenge | 

---

Taglines:

You don't have to be crazy to blow 30 million dollars in 30 days. But it helps.

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Certificate:

Tous Public

Did You Know?

Trivia

Walter Hill says later he purposefully made the film "to improve his bank account and success quotient".

---

Goofs

It is often claimed that by using the rare postage stamp to mail a postcard Monty violated the clause of the will forbidding destruction of inherently valuable property. However, as Monty was using the stamp for its originally intended purpose this would not go against the terms of the will.

---

Quotes

Monty Brewster: What are you gonna vote?
Crowd: [in unison] None of the above!

---

Connections

Referenced in David Brent: Life on the Road (2016)

---

Soundtracks

In the Nick of Time
Words & Music by Huey Lewis and Ry Cooder
Performed by Patti LaBelle
Courtesy of MCA Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Good Production, Especially Considering the Substance.

Richard Pryor stars as a minor-league baseball pitcher in New Jersey who gets an inheritance, but the inheritance has a large catch. Pryor will inherit $300 million in 30 days if he can spend $30 million in that time, but he must have nothing of value after that time period. A really smart idea that works due to the comedic talents of Pryor more than anything else. His uncanny ability to portray highly sympathetic characters is also very important here. John Candy shines as Pryor's best friend. A nice little film that toes the line on being something really special. It does not quite reach high levels, but it does come close and overall it is an entertaining and noble work. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 August 1985 (France)

Also Known As:

Comment claquer un million de dollars par jour?

Filming Locations:

L'Orangerie - 903 North La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,858,905, 27 May 1985

Gross USA:

$40,833,132

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$45,833,132

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Davis Entertainment, Lawrence Gordon Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1