Marvin Miller: Michael Anthony

Quotes 

• Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters the study to observe Tipton seated in a high-backed chair at his desk examining an old class photo in a school yearbook from decades before. Only Tipton's hands are visible to the viewers]  You sent for me, sir?

  John Beresford Tipton : Mike, I was just paying a visit to the past.

  [Tipton shows Anthony the photograph in the yearbook. Anthony smiles. Tipton chuckles] 

  John Beresford Tipton : You must have one of these.

  Michael Anthony : [Beaming, as he reviews the picture]  I should say I have, sir.

  John Beresford Tipton : Now, Mike, don't you smile. You may be a good many years younger than I am, but I'll wager you look just as silly in your class picture.

  [Anthony grins broadly] 

  John Beresford Tipton : However, those years were the most important of my life.

  Michael Anthony : [Returning the book]  I'd say they were the most important in any boy's life.

  John Beresford Tipton : I agree.

  [Tipton hands an envelope to Anthony] 

  John Beresford Tipton : I agree so completely, Mike, that that's why I picked our next millionaire.

  [Anthony accepts the envelope and bows] 

• [first lines] 

  Michael Anthony : My name is Michael Anthony. Until his death, I was executive secretary to one of the world's richest men - John Beresford Tipton. He had what was perhaps the strangest hobby in the world, and one of the few fortunes large enough to indulge it. This is Silverstone, Mr. Tipton's fabulous 60,000-acre estate. Here, after his retirement from the world of business and high finance, he pursued this hobby, which was nothing less than, every now and then, giving away to a total stranger the sum of $1,000,000. And because he insisted on remaining anonymous, I was the man who actually delivered the check.

• Michael Anthony : The name of our new millionaire was John Richards. He was principal in a high school on the south side of a large industrial city, a district held in the grip of terror. The scourge of hoodlumism struck at the south side. No one knew where it would break out next.

• Ellen Richards : [Ellen Richards answers the apartment doorbell]  Hello.

  Michael Anthony : Is Mr. Richards in?

  Ellen Richards : Yes, he is.

  Michael Anthony : [John Richards approaches from the next room]  Mr. John Richards?

  John Richards : Yes.

  Michael Anthony : My name is Michael Anthony.

  John Richards : How do you do?

  [Shakes hands with Anthony] 

  John Richards : This is Mrs. Richards.

  [smiles at Ellen] 

  Ellen Richards : Won't you come in?

  Michael Anthony : [Anthony enters]  I have something of importance I'd like to discuss with you.

  [Anthony starts to retrieve paperwork from is briefcase] 

  Ellen Richards : [Starts to leave]  Excuse me, please.

  Michael Anthony : It's quite all right for you to stay, Mrs. Richards.

  John Richards : Is it something about the school, Mr. Anthony?

  Michael Anthony : Not exactly. I have a gift for you.

  [Anthony displays a check] 

  Michael Anthony : A cashier's check, a gift from an unknown benefactor who must remain unknown. But he knows about you.

  John Richards : [Staring at the check]  A million dollars. From a...

  Ellen Richards : What?

  John Richards : For me?

  Michael Anthony : On condition that you tell no one the amount of this money or the way in which you came to receive it. Only your wife may know that. If you should violate this condition, the rest of the money will be reclaimed.

  John Richards : [Stammering]  You - Why - you see... You say that this... this man knows about me. What what... what can he possibly know that would warrant this?

  Michael Anthony : Believe me, he makes his decisions very carefully.

  [Offering the document and a pen] 

  Michael Anthony : Now, if you'll, uh, just sign here, please.

  John Richards : It's fantastic. It's a fairy tale.

  Ellen Richards : But there it is. I believe it!

  John Richards : One million dollars! But a cashier's check is real.

  [Signing the pledge] 

  John Richards : I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't admit that I was delighted. But this does not make any sense at all.

  Michael Anthony : [Placing the agreement and pen into his briefcase]  I understand, Mr. Richards. But perhaps it makes more sense than you realize. If it were completely pointless, you wouldn't look so happy.

  [Turns to depart] 

  Michael Anthony : Goodbye, sir. Goodbye, Mrs. Richards.

  John Richards : Goodbye.

  Ellen Richards : [Anthony leaves the apartment]  John, it's a miracle. Think of it. We can do anything in the world we want to.