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The Millionaire ()

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A millionaire automaker retires upon the advice of his doctor, but becomes so bored he buys half interest in a gas station and works it on the sly.
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James Alden
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Mrs. Laura Alden
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Bill Merrick
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Barbara Alden
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Schofield
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Carter Andrews
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Peterson
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Davis (as Ivan Simpson)
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Dr. Harvey
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McCoy
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Dan Lewis
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Ed Powers (as Charles Grapewin)
Charles E. Evans ...
The Gardener
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Briggs
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
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Mrs. Andrews (uncredited)
Ben Hall ...
Al (uncredited)

Directed by

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John G. Adolfi

Written by

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Earl Derr Biggers ... (based on "Idle Hands")
 
Booth Tarkington ... (dialogue)
 
Julien Josephson ... (screen play) (as Julian Josephson)
 
Maude T. Howell ... (screen play) (uncredited)

Produced by

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John G. Adolfi ... producer (uncredited)

Music by

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Alois Reiser ... (uncredited)

Cinematography by

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James Van Trees ... (photographed by)

Editing by

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Owen Marks ... (edited by)

Art Direction by

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Esdras Hartley

Costume Design by

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Edward Stevenson ... (uncredited)

Makeup Department

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Perc Westmore ... makeup artist (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department

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Earl Luick ... wardrobe

Music Department

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Leo F. Forbstein ... conductor: Vitaphone Orchestra
Crew verified as complete

Production Companies

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Distributors

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Special Effects

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Other Companies

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Storyline

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Plot Summary

Automaker James Alden is told to retire by his doctors and does so in deference to his wife Laura and daughter 'Babs.' He is not only bored after six months, but is told by a life insurance salesman that retired men are bad risks. So James secretly responds to an ad in the newspaper about a garage being for sale, but he (using the alias Charlie Miller) buys only half of the garage, since the other half was already sold to Bill Merrick, who becomes his partner. The ex-owner, Peterson, was dishonest in not revealing he was opening a new gas station near the new highway a mile down the road where most of the traffic will be. Not willing to be slickered by anybody, Charlie and Bill buy and elegantly rebuild a decrepit building across the street from Peterson's new station and compete handily with the charlatan. James uses a pretense to get away every day, but wonders how long he can keep up his double life. Written by Arthur Hausner

Plot Keywords
Taglines A new Arliss...playing a comedy drama so human, so true to life, you feel you know the man..which is why Mr. Arliss is America's First Actor (Print Ad- Elmira Star-Gazette, ((Elmira, NY)) 8 May 1931) See more »
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Parents Guide Add content advisory for parents »
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Additional Details

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Also Known As
  • Le millionnaire (France)
  • Миллионер (Russia)
  • Fars millioner (Denmark)
  • Milionário (Portugal)
  • O Milionário (Brazil)
  • See more »
Runtime
  • 80 min
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Did You Know?

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Trivia It was James Cagney's small role (as a fast-talking insurance salesman) in this film that made William A. Wellman decide to cast him in the lead role of Tom Powers in The Public Enemy (1931). He had initially been cast as Matt Doyle, with Edward Woods playing Tom, but Wellman was so impressed by Cagney that he reversed the roles. See more »
Movie Connections Referenced in Beer and Blood: Enemies of the Public (2005). See more »
Soundtracks Auld Lang Syne See more »
Quotes Schofield: Well, Mr. Alden, if you must know, we don't care to touch them when they're retired.
See more »
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