Customer Reviews

The Happiest Millionaire

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

How often do you find a millionaire that is actually happy? Well, Fred MacMurray shows that if you can be yourself, regardless of your money, then you can be happy.

I watched this movie as a child, but haven't seen it for years. I was so thrilled to rediscover it here, and be able to buy it for my little girl. As the first scene began, I found myself singing along to songs that I didn't know I remembered.

If you want to introduce your young children (the younger the better) to some old classic musicals, you should start with this one (and Mary Poppins). The wit and charm of these old classic movies is definately lacking in todays world of film.

All in all, this movie is hilarious, well cast, well written, and fun.

A carefree millionaire(Disney Style), played by Fred MacMurray, lives life his own way, sometimes bordering on Addams Family-esque habits, such as keeping Alligators as pets and going on a chocolate cake diet! With his two sons soon to leave for school, he is disturbed to find that his only daughter is now engaged and will be out of his life too. The story is told somewhat from the cheerful Irish butler's musical point of view. Tommy Steele portrays the butler and steals the show! The film is great traditional Disney fun!

I fell in love with non-roadshow version of Happiest Millionaire a few years ago when seeing it on the Disney Channel, and it has since become one of my all time favorite films. Then, I found out there was a roadshow version, and, when I started switching from VHS to DVD a year or so ago, I decided to order both versions from Amazon. I recommend fans of the shorter version do what I did and buy both the shorter one AND this roadshow version. Why? Well, I felt they were so different! I knew I loved the shorter version, so I HAD to see the Roadshow version! It's just a matter of one having more scenes than the other, but the shorter version is simpler, one you'd watch with your kids, and the longer (Roadshow) version is the more grown-up version. Sometimes, you just want to watch the simple, happy, short version, and sometimes you want to watch the real deal. I don't know, but I LOVE them both, but when you started out with the short version, it just won't do to only have the Roadshow.

This film has been MY favorite since third grade (I'm 27). It is wonderfully fun and uplifting with Great singing and dancing. In a world where cartoons can scare kids, my three-year-old loves this film. It may be long, but with all the songs, it makes for a fast watch. Also the story is simple enough that children can turn it off one day and watch more the next.

Fred MacMurray, Tommy Steele, Lesley Ann Warren and John Davidson star in the classic Disney musical THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE, a delightful story centering on the Biddle family of Philadelphia.

Cordy Biddle (Lesley Ann Warren) becomes engaged to Angie Duke (John Davidson). When this should be a happy occasion, Angie's snooty mother (Geraldine Page) still ensures that Angie hangs onto her apron strings. Cordy's mother (Greer Garson) tries to sort things out while Aunt Mary (Gladys Cooper) engages in some bitchy repartee with Mrs Duke!

The entire production is flawless, and while Leonard Maltin has criticised this film for being too long, I think the time flies by.

The Sherman brothers songs are strong throughout, and the supporting cast, including a very young Joyce Bulifant, are wonderful.

Highly recommended.

I have the belief that Disney is going down the tubes now days. With movies such as "Hocus Pocus", and "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and the deeply disappointing movies such as "Pocahontas" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (one that should not have been made at all from my point of veiw, and not fit for children), Disney is very disappointing. THe Happiest Millionaire is just one of those great movies made when movies were kept clean. There is no need of foul language or sex in this movie, you don't even miss them. Tommy Steele was great in this movie, he was witty, funny and charming. Fred MacMurray played the part well, and the paring of Leslie Ann Warren with John Davidson was brilliant. They were just right for the parts, and did them well. Gladys Cooper as the matriarch Aunt Mary, and Geraldine Page as the pompous Mrs. Duke were hilarious in the their duet song "There are Those". The songs in the movie are easy to remember, and fun to listen to. This in one movie (of many, believe me) that my mom and I like to watch together. I believe that you'll recognize Hermione Baddeley as Mrs. Worth, who, when Mr. Drexel Biddle told her "I could be dying!", replied with out batting an eye, "Indeed you could." (Baddeley played the maid who was always fighting with the cook in Mary Poppins.) This movie is one of a kind, and entirely true, based on the book, My Philadelphia Father, by Cordelia Drexel Biddel.

This film is not one of Disney's best, but if, like my wife, you were raised on musicals, it will not disappoint.

What did disappoint was Disney's failure to enhance the Roadshow Edition for 16 x 9 televisions. I recently bought my first HDTV, and in going through my DVD collection to determine which discs were enhanced, this was one of the few issued since 2000 which was not. A bit odd, but buyer beware.

Alright, I admit it - John Davidson was my schoolgirl crush. I grew up watching Happiest Millionaire and to this day I just love that guy. My question is, now that I've got Happiest Millionaire in my video collection, when can we expect One and Only Genuine Original Family Band? I've tried asking Disney Store people but no one seems to remember the movie. Anyone out there know what I'm talking about? It's another great musical with Lesley Ann Warren and John Davidson. Classic Disney. Let's call Michael Eisner if we have to. This movie has got to be made available.

I was a kid when this movie was made. It was magical, musical, fun, sparkling clean and entertaining. We all walked home from the theater singing, dancing or both. How I envy my parents that they didn't have to worry about screening a movie before we saw it. Fred MacMurray was always a sure winner, Tommy Steele was AMAZING, and Leslie Ann Warren was so beautiful! I taped this movie years ago before it was available for purchase. My own kids who are now in their 20's can still sing the words to "By-Um-Pum-Pum!" I shall buy them a copy so that they can share fun musical times of an era that is truly missed. Everyone should have a copy!

I am a very huge fan of the movie. I recently moved from San Diego, California, and I was always able to get all Disney shows there. I have "The Happiest Millionaire" on VHS, and I cannot get anough of it. I have been in Washington State now for a little over two months. Maybe it is because I am homesick, but I am craving for this right now. I found "The One and Only Genuine Original Family Band" a few days ago, but when I found out I could have both of my two ultimate favorites together, at one time, I had to order. My Dad will get the open copy of my movie, and I will get the unopened (which is how it will stay until I cannot resist anymore)!!! Love John Davis and Lesley Ann Warren together. It is so much the match made in heaven. Anyone like her in "Clue"?...

I, too, just saw a screening for this and thought it was brilliant! I love the music and the story is classic Disney...Good, clean fun! It was amazing how many new things I saw in this film.

I love the roadshow edition! The Sherman Brothers score brought out the best moments of the movie, and I love the last song that Greer Garson and Fred MacMurray share. You don't want to miss "There are Those" either. It's hilarious! Lesley Ann Warren is charming and who wouldn't want George and his kin for household pets?