The Millionaire

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"His First Modern Role-As a sly promoter of Young Romance-In the Most Sparkling, Most Human Drama You Yet Have seen"
  • Passed
  • 1931
  • 1 hr 20 min
  • 7.2  (577)

The Millionaire is a 1931 film that stars George Arliss, Florence Arliss, and David Manners. The movie tells the story of a wealthy businessman named James Alden, who decides to give away his entire fortune to three strangers, who he believes would benefit from the money. Alden's decision to give away his fortune doesn't sit well with his family, who believe that they are entitled to the money. His niece Barbara (played by Florence Arliss), in particular, is outraged by the decision, as she believes that she deserves the money more than anyone else.

As Alden begins to give out the money, the three recipients find themselves facing various challenges, including jealousy, betrayal, and greed. The first recipient is John Lawless, a struggling artist (played by David Manners), who uses the money to pursue his passion for painting. The second recipient is a young woman named Miriam (played by Evalyn Knapp), who uses the money to help her struggling family. The third recipient is a down-on-his-luck businessman (played by Hale Hamilton), who uses the money to gain a new lease on life.

As the three recipients begin to enjoy their new wealth, they find themselves facing a new set of challenges. John Lawless, in particular, becomes the target of greedy art dealers who try to take advantage of his newfound wealth. Meanwhile, Miriam's family members are consumed by their greed and start fighting among themselves, risking their newfound prosperity.

Throughout the film, James Alden watches from afar as the events unfold. He recognizes the value of money and realizes that his decision to give away his fortune wasn't necessarily the right one. However, he's still convinced that he made the right decision, as he sees the positive impact that his money has had on the lives of those who received it.

As the film reaches its climax, James Alden's family makes one last effort to regain his fortune. They try to convince him that he made the wrong decision, and that his gesture of goodwill was a mistake. However, James remains steadfast in his decision, and in the end, his family is forced to accept that they will no longer have access to his wealth.

The film ends on a bittersweet note, as James Alden reflects on his life and his decision to give away his fortune. He realizes that while money is important, it's not the most important thing in life. His decision to give away his fortune was a reflection of his desire to make a positive impact on the world, and he is content in the knowledge that he succeeded in doing so.

Overall, The Millionaire is a thought-provoking film that explores the value of money and the impact it has on people's lives. The film's themes of greed, jealousy, and betrayal are still relevant today, making it a timeless classic that is still worth watching more than 80 years after its release.

The Millionaire
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Description
  • Release Date
    1931
  • MPAA Rating
    Passed
  • Runtime
    1 hr 20 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.2  (577)