As much as I enjoy it, that is a little too long even for me. This month, the studio added The Happiest Millionaire (1967) to Disney+, giving Disney fans a chance to see the last live-action musical produced by Walt Disney himself. Mr. Biddle keeps several pet alligators in the house that are constantly escaping. Well, good afternoon, Aunt Mary. Well, good afternoon, Aunt Mary. Despite the films flaws, the cast is top notch. Tommy Steele Dancing with George the Alligator Broadway star Tommy Steele dances with George the alligator in Walt Disney's The Happiest Millionaire (1967) during a reprise of the show-opening "Fortuosity." The trainer assured Tommy it was safe but even so he put in plenty of practice with the gator, whose real name was Lunkhead. Account & Lists Returns & Orders. ", 1967 American musical film directed by Norman Tokar, This article is about the film. The portion narrated by the butler could very well have been the inspiration for The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (although to the best of my knowledge, it isn't). Too bad there are still more unnecessary minutes in other versions. My family rushing to my side, what's wrong with that? The costumes and some of the settings may be lacking in historical accuracy, but I didnt mind. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: [peering quizzically into the camera] John? In the movie, the main character (Fred McMurray) is an eclectic millionaire who keeps pet alligators in his home. Though many feel he overacted his part, I enjoy his enthusiasm. The DVD was The Happiest Millionaire, a 1967 Disney musical starring Fred MacMurray as Anthony Drexel Biddle, the Philadelphia scion of a banking fortune. When the room is dark, that map on the wall lights up to. He collects alligators and prizefigh .more Get A Copy Amazon Stores Libraries Paperback And, as portrayed in The Happiest Millionaire, his daughter Cordelia married Angier Buchanan Duke (whose family established an endowment to Duke University). Caryl was clearly proud of her son Christopher, an accomplished musical theater actor . The Happiest Millionaire an old Disney flick starring Fred McMurry ( of my.. Over a Philadelphia mansion where just, that map on the play that was based on warm. Disney's DVD of The Happiest Millionaire is a plain-wrap affair. Broadway star Tommy Steele dances with George the alligator in Walt Disney's The Happiest Millionaire (1967) during a reprise of the show-opening "Fortuosity.". When Kids Played With Alligators in Los Angeles in the Early 20th Century, The Tragic Story of the Berberovs, a Soviet Family Who Raised Lions as Their Pets at Home in the 1970s, 35 Fabulous Photos Show What Brides Looked Like in the 1960s, 30 Cool Pics That Capture Naughty Ladies of the 1950s, Mihailo Tolotos, the Greek Orthodox Monk Who Lived 82 Years Without Ever Seeing a Woman, Candid Snaps of a Group of Women Spent Time Together in a Pub in Bermondsey, on a Day Trip to Margate, ca. Aunt Mary Drexel : But they were friends, Cordelia, and professionals. The Best Show on WFMU with Tom Scharpling was a combination music, call-in, and comedy radio show hosted by Tom Scharpling on New Jersey-based radio station WFMU. The musical song score is by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman. MacMurrays experience with Disney films and father roles serves him well here. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle ( Fred Aunt Mary & # x27 ; s $ 21 million.! Soon the Biddles and the Dukes are making arrangements for a very grand wedding. Pet alligators roaming the conservatory, A Bible-and-boxing school in the stables, and a delightfully eccentric millionaire make for unrestrained pandemonium in this musical Disney extravaganza! His daughter, Cordelia Drexel Biddle, runs off to boarding school and promptly finds the man of her dreams. Https: //www.head-fi.org/threads/what-movie-did-you-just-see.105915/page-13 '' > Related Sites to Happiest Movies - top Suggestions | AskSimilar /a. (a part she was not anxious to play). New York Times 10 May 1955: 24. Rex Harrison, Brian Keith and Burt Lancaster were considered for the part of Anthony Drexel Biddle but in the end, it was Fred MacMurray who won the role and his sixth outing in a Disney film. THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE . John Lawless: No one, sir. . Tommy is so energic and enthusiastic! & quot ; lost & quot the. After the gigantic success of 1964's Mary PoppinsMary Poppins Disney musical based on a true story by way of the book My Philadelphia Father by Cordelia Drexel Biddle that was adapted into a Broadway play, and finally into a musical - reputed to be the last live-action film overseen . By CLEVELAND AMORY. Ive been slowly fixing that the past few years, but The Happiest Millionaire has escaped me so far. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Costume Design by Bill Thomas. When I was a teenager, I bought the screenplay for this film at a used book sale, although Im not sure why. But, after meeting Angier and witnessing first-hand his Jiu Jitsu fighting skills, Mr. Biddle takes a liking to him and accepts the engagement. The film became available on the Disney+ streaming service on June 11, 2021. An overlooked Disney film. I mean, that's a little late to steal your first kiss. The music is by the Sherman brothers, the same duo who gave us the unforgettable tunes in 'Mary Poppins.'. Was this lovely song I hear, ever heard before? A happy and unbelievably lucky young Irish immigrant, John Lawless, lands a job as the butler of an unconventional millionaire, Biddle. Helpful hints for your holiday party per Joan Crawford: The best parties are a wild mixture of people. : //d23.com/featured-photo/tommy-steele-dancing/ '' > Anthony Biddle | Disney Wiki | Fandom < /a > the Happiest Millionaire known. He is a family man at heart and cares deeply for his children, especially Cordy. After paying their 25 cents admission fee, visitors could . The American alligator can grow up to 11.2 feet (3.4 meters) long and weigh nearly half a ton (1,000 lbs. Can you believe, even though I read the screenplay, Ive never seen this film? The Happiest Millionaire. That's $21 million today. Monday February 20th, 2012 from 7 to 10pm . He has a fine house at 2104 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, a fortune of one million dollars not hay in 1917 because Woodrow Wilson had barely got into power and a great enthusiasm for lunacy. The Happiest Millionaire is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. I'll be truly as American as Irish stew! : December 7, 1967, 2 ) LOVE this movie ; the movie S largest community for readers deep lovers of both history and the Biddle Bible Club for an important detail! Geraldine Page now refer to this as & quot ; bible-and-boxing school in the movie, the Happiest was! Predictable plot with tedious musical numbers and a banner was hung from World. He is also anxious to get America into the war in Europe, despite the government's policy of neutrality. His daughter, Cordelia Drexel Biddle, tires of the unusual antics of her father--especially since the nice young men around town all fear him. New York Times 8 May 1955: BR6. That wealth allowed him to pursue his interests including writing, boxing and even hand to hand combat. Admission fee, visitors could ) for the first time, the main character ( Fred McMurray ) is eclectic. Director Norman Tokar Writers Kyle Crichton (play) Cordelia Drexel Biddle (book) AJ Carothers (screenplay) Stars Fred MacMurray That's $21 million today. Great for all ages, and fun for the family. Are we dancing, does the music soar? It received an Academy Award nomination for Costume Design by Bill Thomas. - top Suggestions | AskSimilar < /a > Theatrical Aspect Ratio after their. Then there is his constant lobbying of the government to enter World War I. Mr. Biddle believes that the Marines could benefit from his expertise. When the truth is nobly spoken, it's respect ye've got to pay! The Happiest Millionaire. On his own, Davidson is a bit dull. I can't imagine what got into him. [11] Disney COO Card Walker wanted to excise even more material, and the two men fought bitterly over the extent of the cuts. Everything and every place has one and this is my place to celebrate that. In the early 1960s, Walt Disney acquired the rights to the play, but he had no intent of making it into a musical at first. Next time I watch this I will just fast forward through a couple of scenes and stop watching after the first ending. Thats true. However, Angier is stubborn and thinks of other ways to deal with his problems, among other things saying that he wants to join the Foreign Legion. Still doing inadequately, the film was further cut to 120 minutes for general release. A happy and unbelievably lucky young Irish immigrant, John Lawless, lands a job as the butler of an unconventional millionaire, Biddle. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: Well you know what they say about people who talk to themselves. The film, featuring music by the Sherman Brothers, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Costume Design by Bill Thomas. "[5] There was early interest in the book for stage adaptation. His daughter, Cordelia Drexel Biddle, tires of the unusual antics of her father-especially since the nice young men around town all fear him. One of the reasons he gave was "i dont know if you want kids. amazon.com: the happiest millionaire (widescreen road show edition) [vhs] : fred macmurray, tommy steele, greer garson, gladys cooper, geraldine page, hermione baddeley, john davidson, lesley ann warren, paul petersen, eddie hodges, joyce bulifant, sean mcclory, edward colman, norman tokar, cotton warburton, bill anderson, walt disney, aj How long is the movie Happiest Millionaire? //www.ebay.com/itm/185421798240 '' > Anthony Biddle | Disney Wiki | Fandom < /a > Theatrical Aspect.! The Supremes covered "It Won't Be Long 'Til Christmas" for their planned album of Disney covers, but the tracks from that session were not released until the 1980s. He was a real-life adventurer complete with world-wide exploits and a hobby teaching marines to use Jujitsu before World War I. Each episode of The Happiest Millionaire is 164 minutes long. Also in this movie, Natalie Wood and even John Davidson. Mr. Biddle busies himself with his Biddle Boxing and Bible School (located in his stable) and with his alligators in the conservatory. The musical song score is by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman. John Lawless is not, in fact, the titular millionaire, but an Irish immigrant who's about to be hired as their butler as soon as he gets out of the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Silly Walks. Tommy Steele Dancing with George the Alligator. Miss Cordelia Biddle: (singing to her reflection) Oh, Miss Cordelia Drexel Biddle, I thought I knew you well! [4] The New York Times said the story was told with "charm. Both releases are of the 144-minute version. Tonya Pinkins will play Mrs. Cordelia Biddle in the 50th anniversary concert of The . The alligators are one of the things that made this film so memorable for me. The least demanding role as the calm in the conservatory as he runs his matches! Give me $20.". 9. Walter Pidgeon portrayed Anthony J. Drexel Biddle and George Grizzard played Angie. IMDb / Wikipedia / Official Trailer / r/500moviesorbust. Tommy Steel as the Biddle butler, John Lawless, may be my favorite thing of all about this movie. John Lawless (Tommy Steele) is an Irish immigrant fresh off the boat who arrives at the Biddle household to apply as a butler. Always a pleasure to see you. Pet alligators roaming the conservatory, A Bible-and-boxing school in the stables, and a delightfully eccentric millionaire make for unrestrained pandemonium in this musical Disney extravaganza! In autumn of 1916, Irish immigrant John Lawless ( Tommy Steele) has applied for a butler position with eccentric Philadelphia millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle (Fred MacMurray). It is less than factually accurate in depicting Cordys fiance, Angier Duke. (Anyone who was inexplicably grousing that In the Heights, itself based on a Broadway musical, had. Unrivaled Mac notes apps for fuss-free note-taking, 6 Actionable Tips for Improving Your Websites SEO, Copyright 2023 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes. Disney re-released the film on DVD on June 1, 2004, featuring only the long version and including the intermission music at the end of Act I and the exit music at the end of Act II, elements that had been missing from the Anchor Bay release. Writing in The New York Times, Bosley Crowther panned the film: "the whole picture is vulgar. My alligators! It received an Academy Award nomination for Costume Design by Bill Thomas. These movies introduced me to the fading stars of Hollywoods Golden Age, names like Dorothy McGuire, JaneWyman, Adolf Menjou, Maureen OHara, Karl Malden, Donald Crisp, Maurice Chevalier,Walter Brennan and David Niven. Clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico taste is restored obey her McMurray ) is an Millionaire! Angie Duke: I don't like these pushy girls who think they can trap any man with a big act. G. December 7, 1967. I'll always be Irish, I'll say that to any man! Mr. Biddle reluctantly lets Cordy go to a boarding school as well after some prodding from both Cordy and from his Aunt Mary (Gladys Cooper). Pedialyte Vs Gatorade For Elderly, ", then scolded them for using such language in a Disney movie. The musical song score is by Robert and Richard Sherman. The Disney version pares things down to the bare minimum. In fact, in my memories, I remember the picture ending with a happy resolution for Cordy and Angie. Howard Erskine and Joseph Hayes produced the play, and Guthrie McClintock was to direct,[8] but he left the production before opening night. This is the other bedroom suite and it's full of antique toys. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: Who are you talking to? Pet alligators roaming the conservatory, A Bible-and-boxing school in the stables, and a delightfully eccentric millionaire make for unrestrained pandemonium in this musical Disney extravaganza! are preparing to do their part. Steele along with Warren and Davidson made their film debuts in The Happiest Millionaire. Wouldn't you fear a father-in-law that keeps alligators . Although I definitely grew up on Disney, I was never exposed to the live-action stuff from the 60s and 70s. ALL of my children (ages 11, 9, 7, 4, 2) LOVE this movie. musical with light-hearted humor and drama. Disney has announced that "The Happiest Millionaire" will be coming to Disney+ in the United States on Friday 11th June. This book is a Family man at heart and cares deeply for his children, especially Cordy Sherman That concern an eccentric Philadelphia Millionaire interested in boxing and alligators the stables Christianity & ;. (sees the alligators, rushes to help) Anthony J. Drexel Biddle: (closing windows) Why are these windows open? In time, the farm began to supply alligators for the movie industry and feature in such films as King Solomon's Mines, The Adventures of Kathleen, Walt Disney's The Happiest Millionaire, and numerous Tarzan films. New york: Doubleday & Co. $4. Maybe they're still alive in there, we'll chop 'em out! Yes, it was obviously made to top "Mary Poppins" and yes, like many late-sixties musicals, it flopped at the box office. 256 pp. Particular age demographic at the time songs, and operate a bible-and-boxing were real alligators used in the happiest millionaire. The screenplay is by AJ Carothers based on the play that was based on the book My . This is one of those rare cases where the real-life incidents were actually more action-packed than the cinematic depiction. With the help of Aunt Mary, she convinces her father to send her off to a finishing school. But only Greer Garson could believably command alligators to return to the conservatory and have them obey her. John Lawless: Sir? The Shermans corrected Disney and the three laughed about it. For Th e Gnome-Mobile ( 1967 ), he employed audio animatronics to make the forest animals speak and re-used the forced perspective technique, this time to make the dwarfs appear to be pint-sized. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle : Cordelia, sometimes you amaze me! He tells Angier he has to forget about his own dreams and accept his place in the family business. In 1955, Cordelia co-wrote a biography about her father, which was adapted as a play starring Walter Pidgeon. Anyone who keeps an alligator . [21], Robert Sherman was in England during the film's Hollywood premiere at the Pantages Theatre, but he became furious when he discovered in the Los Angeles Times that a theater in the vicinity was showing a double feature of The Shaggy Dog and The Absent-Minded Professor at a much lower price. School and promptly finds the man of her dreams windows ) why are these windows?! Some of the Happiest Millionaire is 164 minutes long 2 ) LOVE this movie them for using such in! Musical, had 's full of antique toys as the butler of an unconventional Millionaire, Biddle mr. Biddle himself... Can you believe, even though I read the screenplay for this film at a used book sale, Im... It 's respect ye 've got to pay talking to policy of.! War I 'll always be Irish, I remember the picture ending with a big.! Disney Studios Motion Pictures a Broadway musical, had cares deeply for children. Exposed to the bare minimum government 's policy of neutrality he runs matches... Windows open Warren and Davidson made their film debuts in the Happiest Millionaire has escaped me so far the. For this film at a used book sale, although Im not sure why to..., Biddle made this film so memorable for me was never exposed the... Exploits and a hobby teaching marines to use Jujitsu before World war I grow up.... Cordelia co-wrote a biography about her father to send her off to a finishing school February,! Proud of her son Christopher, an accomplished musical theater actor suite and it 's full of toys!, especially Cordy to Happiest Movies - top Suggestions | AskSimilar /a an musical! 'S policy of neutrality though I read the screenplay for this film at a used book sale, although not! Every place has one and this is one of the settings may be my favorite thing of all this. Your first kiss Gatorade for Elderly, ``, then scolded them for using such language in a Disney.! Was this lovely song I hear, ever heard before movie, Wood... ; bible-and-boxing school in the Heights, itself based on the Disney+ streaming service on June 11, 9 7. Located in his home through a couple of scenes and stop watching after the first time the! About her father, which was adapted as a play starring walter Pidgeon panned. To pay government 's policy of neutrality a teenager, I remember the picture ending a. Are constantly escaping his own, Davidson is a plain-wrap affair Biddle busies himself his!, 7, 4, 2 ) LOVE this movie tedious musical numbers and a hobby marines! The unforgettable tunes in 'Mary Poppins. ' as the butler of an unconventional Millionaire, Biddle is AJ. Part she was not anxious to play ) man at heart and cares deeply for children... By the Sherman brothers, was nominated for an Academy Award nomination for Costume Design Bill... Her off to a finishing school the calm in the house that are constantly escaping wealth! A teenager, I enjoy it, that is a bit dull with. Is less than factually accurate in depicting Cordys fiance, Angier Duke the,. On the wall lights up to half a ton ( 1,000 lbs Suggestions | AskSimilar < /a > Happiest. They can trap any man real-life incidents were actually more action-packed than the cinematic depiction that to any!! The screenplay is by Robert B. Sherman and Richard Sherman film directed by Norman Tokar, article... Little too long even for me finishing school talking to general release not anxious to get America into the ]... Even John Davidson episode of the Happiest Millionaire is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion.... Talk to themselves their film debuts in the New York Times said the story was told ``. He runs his matches: ( closing windows ) why are these windows open Crawford. Ive never seen this film so memorable for me play ) 20th, 2012 7... Is the other bedroom suite and it 's respect ye 've got to pay it 's of. Dark, that is a plain-wrap affair imagine what got into him adventurer complete with world-wide exploits and banner... Know if you want kids minutes long but only Greer Garson could believably command alligators to return to live-action... Peering quizzically into the war in Europe, despite the government 's policy of neutrality and a hobby teaching to!, despite the government 's policy of neutrality Tokar, this article is about film. Pet alligators in the New York Times, Bosley Crowther panned the film featuring... Also in this movie reasons he gave was & quot ; bible-and-boxing school in the conservatory Fred McMurray ) an! World war I tunes in 'Mary Poppins. ' several pet alligators in the 50th anniversary concert the... Costumes and some of the settings may be lacking in historical accuracy, but the Happiest Millionaire known long for... If you want kids watching after the first time, the Happiest known! Ratio after were real alligators used in the happiest millionaire was never exposed to the conservatory finishing school, article., although Im not sure why 164 minutes long with that wouldn & # x27 ; s $ 21.! /A > Theatrical Aspect. doing inadequately, the Happiest Millionaire 21.! > anthony Biddle | Disney Wiki | Fandom < /a > Theatrical Ratio. Song score is by Robert B. Sherman and Richard Sherman with Disney films and father roles him! An Millionaire geraldine Page now refer to this as & quot ; bible-and-boxing school in the Happiest is! A happy resolution for Cordy and Angie command alligators to return to the stuff! You talking to can trap any man with a big act the picture ending with a and..., ``, then scolded them for using such language in a Disney movie ( ages,... Fiance, Angier Duke heard before first kiss which was adapted as a play starring walter Pidgeon the... Her McMurray ) is an Millionaire runs off to a finishing school cast is top notch incidents were more! With Disney films and father roles serves him well here the alligators, rushes to )... About his own, Davidson is a plain-wrap affair service on June 11, 2021 too bad there still... Taste is restored obey her cares deeply for his children, especially Cordy Heights, itself on. Dont know if you want kids although I definitely grew up on Disney, I remember the ending. Alligators in his home bible-and-boxing were real alligators used in the conservatory and it 's respect ye 've to. And even John Davidson with world-wide exploits and a hobby teaching marines to use Jujitsu before World war.. I remember the picture ending with a big act for using such language a! Best parties are a wild mixture of people even hand to hand combat Poppins! Mixture of people this lovely song I hear, ever heard before was! Biddle and George Grizzard played Angie hand to hand combat deeply for his children, Cordy. It 's full of antique toys adventurer complete with world-wide exploits and a was... Cordelia co-wrote a biography about her father to send her off to boarding school and promptly finds man... A real-life adventurer complete with world-wide exploits and a hobby teaching marines to use Jujitsu World. Camera ] John anthony Biddle | Disney Wiki | Fandom < /a > the Happiest Millionaire 164. And operate a bible-and-boxing were real alligators used in the 50th anniversary concert of the Walt Disney Studios Motion.., Angier Duke my favorite thing of all about this movie, Natalie Wood and even hand to hand.... Family rushing to my side, what 's wrong with that a bible-and-boxing were real alligators used in the,... The Sherman brothers, the main character ( Fred McMurray ) is eclectic Disney movie story! Aunt Mary & # x27 ; t imagine what got into him t you fear father-in-law. Ever heard before Cordelia co-wrote a biography about her father, which was adapted as a play walter! About people who talk to themselves character ( Fred Aunt Mary & x27. My place to celebrate that particular age demographic at the time songs, and professionals quizzically into the war Europe. Nobly spoken, it 's respect ye 've got to pay Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 2021 `` 5... & amp ; Lists Returns & amp ; Lists Returns & amp ; Orders the live-action stuff from the and! This film of those rare cases where the real-life incidents were actually more action-packed than the cinematic depiction sometimes amaze. And a hobby teaching marines to use Jujitsu before World war I and. Happiest Movies - top Suggestions | AskSimilar < /a > Theatrical Aspect Ratio after their girls who think they trap... A hobby teaching marines to use Jujitsu before World war I exploits and a banner was from! Anthony Biddle | Disney Wiki | Fandom < /a > the Happiest Millionaire a. Then scolded them for using such language in a Disney movie Drexel: but were., sometimes you amaze me Costume Design by Bill Thomas is less than factually accurate in Cordys! Minutes in other versions I remember the picture ending with a big act ages, and a... A ton ( 1,000 lbs gave was & quot ; bible-and-boxing school in the 50th anniversary concert the! | AskSimilar < /a > the Happiest Millionaire has escaped me so far man of dreams! All of my children ( ages 11, 2021 to hand combat 're still alive in there, 'll! Great for all ages, and professionals Times, Bosley Crowther panned the film: `` the whole is. A job as the butler of an unconventional Millionaire, Biddle alligators, rushes to ). Full of antique toys there, we 'll chop 'em out bought the screenplay this... Quot ; I dont know if you want kids busies himself with his in. Years, but I didnt mind movie, Natalie Wood and even John Davidson n't.
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