THE MILLIONAIRE
US, 1931, 80 minutes, Black and white
George Arliss, Florence Arliss, David Manners, Evelyn Knapp, Noah Beery, James Cagney, J. Farrell Macdonald.
Directed by John G. Adolfi.
George Arliss had a very successful screen career although he did not start to act until he was in his 50s. He won the Academy Award in 1929 as Best Actor for Disraeli. He made a number of brief films in the United States in the early 30s including this one as well as The Kings Vacation and Working Man. He was to go on to play Rothschild, Cardinal Richelieu, and the Duke of Wellington.
This is a story about the car industry in the 1930s, a successful company aiming for quality, but the founder and president is found to be too sick to continue, is advised to go west and stay in a health resort. He is bored to tears, resents his medication but is visited by an insurance agent, a very vivid two minutes or so from James Cagney urging him to look at opportunity ads. Florence Arliss plays his wife and Evelyn Knapp his daughter with David Manners as his business partner when he establishes a service station to occupy himself – but they are tricked by an owner, played by Noah Beery, who sets up a rival station.
The film was directed by John G.Adolfi who directed George Arliss in several films.
1. A 1930 story, film style? Black-and-white photography, the cast, the score?
2. The title, Jim Alden, the presence of George Arliss? His origins, working with engines, working class, marrying his wife, establishing the company, standards of excellence, the loyalty of the staff? His age, turning 60, the challenges about expenses and material? Not accepting the resignation of his staff? The visit of the doctor, examination, his being unwell? His farewell to the staff?
3. Manufacture of cars in the 1930s, the scenes in the factory, industry, marketing? Service stations?
4. After six months of the resort, his wife, relationship with his daughter, obeying the doctor, the medication, the rest? Davis and his fussing?
5. The visit of the insurance man, a vital sequence from James Cagney? The advertisements, finding the ad about the garage?
6. The deal, the owner, the notary, the legal adviser, Alden and his partner, their being tricked? Signing the check in Charlie Miller’s name? Bill, his enthusiasm, wanting to be an architect?
7. The opening of the highway, the opening of the rival garage? No sales? The decision to sell? The visit to the site opposite the garage? The decision to renovate, Bill and his architectural design, getting the money from his aunt? Wanting to ask Alden for money, Charlie forbidding him, his going to the house, the refusal, despite Babs intervention?
8. The opening of the new garage, the Mission design, the reactions of the opposition? Lowering the prices, Jim advertising for better quality? Customers’ reactions?
9. Babs, her visit, discovering her father, keeping the secret? Attracted to Bill? Going out with him, the previous suitor and his being unsuitable, no work and visiting his committees? Alden warning his daughter?
10. His wife, the outing, going to the garage – and Jim concealing himself and her never knowing, until he kissed her?
11. The visit of the doctor, Jim being well, being occupied, not taking his medication? The visit of the doctor on behalf of the managers? Asking him to come back? The doctor agreeing?
12. Jim regaining his health, his wife happy, Babs and her engagement with Bill, the return to work and happy ending?
