20th Century-Fox did this Hollywood remake of a 1935 Italian film of the same translated title, the setting switched to the South of France, featuring a cast filled with contract players led by Warner Baxter ("The Prisoner of Shark Island"). His character, Tony Newlander, is the millionaire tiring of the sycophants around him, none of whom he can rely on as a trusted friend, who rescues a drowning man known as Louie 'The Dope' Monteau (Peter Lorre), a homeless derelict. Tony would be happy just to find one person who could befriend him without the promise of monetary gain, leaving Louie a million dollars for his troubles. Once the newspapers publish a story claiming that a millionaire is masquerading as a bum, a fortune awaiting the person who shows him any kindness, the entire city is quickly overrun with derelicts looking for handouts, while Tony finds himself falling for an impoverished circus performer (Marjorie Weaver) with a trained chimp named Darwin, who excels at judo and cigarette smoking. Amidst the Moto series, Peter Lorre thoroughly enjoys this comic change of pace, joined in mischief during the latter stages by John Carradine's Kopelpeck, resplendent in top hat and cane. Among the many familiar faces are Fritz Feld, Jean Hersholt as a clown, and Frank Reicher as the Prefect of Police, who himself takes in a bum off the street and ends up getting robbed.
15 Reviews
"One can get very tired just buying things."
utgard144 June 2017
Warner Baxter plays a millionaire who is sad to discover that no one cares about him for anything but his money. This includes his butler (and he thought friend) of many years, as we see in one pathetic scene early on. He's drowning himself in pity on a yacht when he sees hobo Peter Lorre drowning himself in the ocean. So he jumps in and helps out. This leads to some soul-searching on Baxter's part and some wrong assumptions on Lorre's part, which sets up the movie's game of telephone screwball plot where the word gets out that a millionaire is disguising himself as a hobo and will give a million dollars to anyone who is kind to him.
I enjoyed this movie but I admit to being a little let-down it wasn't better than it is. Lorre is not in it much, for one thing. He's great when he's around but ultimately he's a minor character, screen time-wise. It's also not a particularly funny movie. Pleasant is a good word for it. The second half is weaker than the first. I would recommend you see it if you find the plot and cast interesting. After all my 6 might be your 7 or 8.
I enjoyed this movie but I admit to being a little let-down it wasn't better than it is. Lorre is not in it much, for one thing. He's great when he's around but ultimately he's a minor character, screen time-wise. It's also not a particularly funny movie. Pleasant is a good word for it. The second half is weaker than the first. I would recommend you see it if you find the plot and cast interesting. After all my 6 might be your 7 or 8.
Quite enjoyable...but where can I find the original film?
planktonrules27 January 2016
"I'll Give a Million" is silly escapist film. It's based on a 1935 Italian film and is, inexplicably, set in France. When the film begins, Tony (Warner Baxter) is aboard his huge yacht. However, despite his wealth, he doesn't particularly love his life...and this is apparent when he jumps overboard to save a drowning hobo, Louis (Peter Lorre). The folks aboard the boat don't realize he's jumped and Tony swims ashore with his new friend. But as I said, he didn't love his life and instead of going to the nearest authorities to tell them who he is, he dons Louis' clothes and decides to be a hobo!
In the meantime, Louis comes into town in a tux and a wad of cash and is a sensation. He informs everyone it's from his millionaire benefactor and the same man had told him he was tired of phonies and would give 1,000,000 francs if someone just did something nice for him without expectation that they'd ever get paid back. After telling the press this story, it makes the newspaper and suddenly everyone in town is being super-nice to all the hobos! In the meantime, Tony has met a lovely woman, Jean (Marjorie Weaver) and she's taken him under her wing at the circus. What's next? See the film.
I sure would love to find a copy of the original Italian film because the American version is very enjoyable and I'd love to see how good the first version is. Regardless, nice acting and a cute story make this one worth your time.
In the meantime, Louis comes into town in a tux and a wad of cash and is a sensation. He informs everyone it's from his millionaire benefactor and the same man had told him he was tired of phonies and would give 1,000,000 francs if someone just did something nice for him without expectation that they'd ever get paid back. After telling the press this story, it makes the newspaper and suddenly everyone in town is being super-nice to all the hobos! In the meantime, Tony has met a lovely woman, Jean (Marjorie Weaver) and she's taken him under her wing at the circus. What's next? See the film.
I sure would love to find a copy of the original Italian film because the American version is very enjoyable and I'd love to see how good the first version is. Regardless, nice acting and a cute story make this one worth your time.
Who wants to be a millionaire?
bkoganbing14 April 2017
I'll Give A Million is the proposition that Warner Baxter after being disillusioned that people are only interested in him for his money gives to Peter Lorre after he jumps off his yacht to save him from drowning. While they're asleep Baxter changes clothes with Lorre and also leaves many francs in his coat pocket.
As a tramp he's befriended by Marjorie Weaver and her uncle Jean Hersholt who run a small circus.
In the meantime Lorre attired in Baxter's abandoned evening wear gives the story to the newspaper that somewhere lurking in this French Riviera town is a tramp who's really a millionaire. The forgotten men of France descend on the town like a plague of locusts hoping to be treated well if people think they are incognito millionaires.
I'm guessing Tyrone Power and Don Ameche were otherwise occupied so Warner Baxter got the lead. A bit older than the other two he does nice as the weary cynical millionaire. Lorre is a fine figure as the tramp who can't believe his good fortune which rapidly becomes a curse as the hunt for the incognito millionaire intensifies.
A good screwball comedy from 20th Century Fox in that age of the screwballs, the Thirties.
As a tramp he's befriended by Marjorie Weaver and her uncle Jean Hersholt who run a small circus.
In the meantime Lorre attired in Baxter's abandoned evening wear gives the story to the newspaper that somewhere lurking in this French Riviera town is a tramp who's really a millionaire. The forgotten men of France descend on the town like a plague of locusts hoping to be treated well if people think they are incognito millionaires.
I'm guessing Tyrone Power and Don Ameche were otherwise occupied so Warner Baxter got the lead. A bit older than the other two he does nice as the weary cynical millionaire. Lorre is a fine figure as the tramp who can't believe his good fortune which rapidly becomes a curse as the hunt for the incognito millionaire intensifies.
A good screwball comedy from 20th Century Fox in that age of the screwballs, the Thirties.
A great idea that stalls out somewhat halfway
AlsExGal4 June 2021
This film starts out with great promise. Tony (Warner Baxter) is a wealthy man, out on his yacht, who suddenly becomes aware that everybody onboard is just nice to him because of his money. As he stands leaning over the railing of the yacht, pondering this fact, he notices a man yelling for help, apparently drowning in the ocean. His yells of man overboard are not heard, so he jumps in and rescues the man. The yacht is out of range, so he swims to shore with Louis (Peter Lorre) in tow.
They camp on the beach for the night, and Tony tells Louis that if he could find just one person who was nice to him and not expecting a payout that he would give that person one million francs (today one dollar = 5 francs). The next day Louis awakens and finds Tony gone but his clothes and money still there. He goes into town wearing Tony's clothes and spending Tony's money. This gets the attention of the police, where Louis tells the story of the rich man, incognito dressed like a tramp, who will give one million francs to anybody who does a good deed for him with no expectations of reward. Soon everybody is being nice to all of the hobos. Meanwhile, Tony has become friends with a woman in a circus who knows nothing about this . Complications ensue.
Now all of this sounds pretty good, but it just seems to bog down a bit after Tony and Louie separate. A 1930s Fox screwball comedy is a rarity, and there is a reason for that. This would have been even better and probably ringed a bit truer if it had been made over at Warner Brothers, retaining the natural performance of Baxter as the millionaire and Lorre as the impish tramp and maybe using some of Warners' great contract players to fill in the blanks.
Still, it is funny and like "My Man Godfrey" has something to say about how your pocketbook often dictates your treatment by your fellow man towards the end of the Great Depression. A rare message-comedy from Fox.
They camp on the beach for the night, and Tony tells Louis that if he could find just one person who was nice to him and not expecting a payout that he would give that person one million francs (today one dollar = 5 francs). The next day Louis awakens and finds Tony gone but his clothes and money still there. He goes into town wearing Tony's clothes and spending Tony's money. This gets the attention of the police, where Louis tells the story of the rich man, incognito dressed like a tramp, who will give one million francs to anybody who does a good deed for him with no expectations of reward. Soon everybody is being nice to all of the hobos. Meanwhile, Tony has become friends with a woman in a circus who knows nothing about this . Complications ensue.
Now all of this sounds pretty good, but it just seems to bog down a bit after Tony and Louie separate. A 1930s Fox screwball comedy is a rarity, and there is a reason for that. This would have been even better and probably ringed a bit truer if it had been made over at Warner Brothers, retaining the natural performance of Baxter as the millionaire and Lorre as the impish tramp and maybe using some of Warners' great contract players to fill in the blanks.
Still, it is funny and like "My Man Godfrey" has something to say about how your pocketbook often dictates your treatment by your fellow man towards the end of the Great Depression. A rare message-comedy from Fox.
Good Remake Of A De Sica Starring vehicle
boblipton7 July 2020
This Fox B remake of a a farce starring De Sica is nicely directed by Walter Lang with a sprawling supporting cast that the big studios' B departments could use when given the chance.
The story has millionaire Warner Baxter dive off his yacht to rescue suicidal Peter Lorre, then head off to deal with the real world instead of the parasites on board. Lorre spreads the word that a millionaire is wandering around in tramp clothes, and will give a million francs to anyone who is kind to him without any pecuniary interest. With a cast of dozens of character actors, this is an example of why I consider Fox' B movies in this period the best....and often better than most studios' As.
The story has millionaire Warner Baxter dive off his yacht to rescue suicidal Peter Lorre, then head off to deal with the real world instead of the parasites on board. Lorre spreads the word that a millionaire is wandering around in tramp clothes, and will give a million francs to anyone who is kind to him without any pecuniary interest. With a cast of dozens of character actors, this is an example of why I consider Fox' B movies in this period the best....and often better than most studios' As.
agreeable comedy about the wide-ranging effects of a rumor
myriamlenys23 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
In "I'll give a million", a rumor gets born according to which a millionaire disguised as a tramp will give a million dollars to the first person who treats him with kindness. The newspapers carrying this fairytale sell like hot cakes. Of course pandemonium arises, with hundreds of well-off people showering random beggars with generosity and hundreds of random beggars pretending to be the millionaire.
The movie is a comedy with elements both of rom-com and satire. It illustrates an age-old truth, to wit that it is easy to give if one expects a reward, but far more difficult if one believes no reward will materialize. Both protagonists do well, but it is Peter Lorre who steals the show in a magnificent comedic turn as a terminally confused tramp. What a range that man had !
The action is set in France, which is a bit of a puzzle since the 1930's USA did not lack in either very rich or very poor people. As a result the story could easily have been adapted to a purely American context. But then, perhaps people were going for some exotic "couleur locale". Part of the plot evolves against a circus background. Although this was not the intention, the scenes with the animals explain with a dreadful clarity why it's to wrong to grab wild creatures and force them into a life of hated slavery.
The movie is a comedy with elements both of rom-com and satire. It illustrates an age-old truth, to wit that it is easy to give if one expects a reward, but far more difficult if one believes no reward will materialize. Both protagonists do well, but it is Peter Lorre who steals the show in a magnificent comedic turn as a terminally confused tramp. What a range that man had !
The action is set in France, which is a bit of a puzzle since the 1930's USA did not lack in either very rich or very poor people. As a result the story could easily have been adapted to a purely American context. But then, perhaps people were going for some exotic "couleur locale". Part of the plot evolves against a circus background. Although this was not the intention, the scenes with the animals explain with a dreadful clarity why it's to wrong to grab wild creatures and force them into a life of hated slavery.
Marjorie Weaver should have become a major star
morrisonhimself23 May 2019
For some strange Hollywood reason, the lovely, talented, adorable Marjorie Weaver had only about 45 credits -- despite the fact she stole this movie and many if not most of the others she played in.
Watching her here, in "I'll Give a Million," one has to be just grabbed by her gorgeous eyes, first, then by her bubbly personality, and I was really taken by her speech: She is a native of Tennessee, retaining the charm of the Southern belle.
Warner Baxter is the nominal star and here he gives one of his best casual performances. He plays the put-upon millionaire quite believably.
Peter Lorre gives a very different portrayal for him and is charming and likable, proving that he had an extraordinary range as an actor.
Jean Hersholt is mostly hidden by his role, as is John Carradine, as a rather flamboyant tramp.
Several exotic players give performances ranging from understated to over the top, but overall are quite watchable and enjoyable.
"I'll Give a Million" is fun, with settings ranging from a millionaire's yacht to a circus to the police station. I recommend it, and there is a quite good print at YouTube.
Watching her here, in "I'll Give a Million," one has to be just grabbed by her gorgeous eyes, first, then by her bubbly personality, and I was really taken by her speech: She is a native of Tennessee, retaining the charm of the Southern belle.
Warner Baxter is the nominal star and here he gives one of his best casual performances. He plays the put-upon millionaire quite believably.
Peter Lorre gives a very different portrayal for him and is charming and likable, proving that he had an extraordinary range as an actor.
Jean Hersholt is mostly hidden by his role, as is John Carradine, as a rather flamboyant tramp.
Several exotic players give performances ranging from understated to over the top, but overall are quite watchable and enjoyable.
"I'll Give a Million" is fun, with settings ranging from a millionaire's yacht to a circus to the police station. I recommend it, and there is a quite good print at YouTube.
Better Than Average Capraesque Film - I'll Give a Million
arthur_tafero7 May 2021
In the heart of the Depression, moviegoers needed screwball comedies to cheer themselves up for a quarter. In that vein, they were heartily treated to some of the best comedy of all time from Laurel and Hardy to Frank Capra. This film is tn that tradition. Similar to Mr. Deeds Goes to Town and Sullivan's Travels in the sense that a powerful person is living as a common man among the masses of the poor, the film has a certain charm that is no longer found in films after the Golden Age of Hollywood. Fortunately, we have Youtube to access some of these gems from the past. Lots of fun.
I'll give anything
AAdaSC8 May 2023
Not to watch this film again. That was both annoying and boring.
Wealthy Warner Baxter (Tony) decides that life amongst his guests on his massive yacht is not worth bothering with any more. After all, no-one really likes him for his personal qualities (I don't know why as he seems a reasonable fellow) but they prefer to use and abuse his position and connections. Anyway, he has had enough and through a meeting with vagrant Peter Lorre (Louie) in the ocean, decides on his next course of action, which is to lose himself in town and find a true friend. In the meantime, word has spread that Baxter is willing to give 1 million dollars to anyone who is nice to him and the newspapers spearhead a campaign to find this wealthy millionaire disguised as a tramp wandering around town.
It's an idea which has mileage and had been done before in other films. However, this film just falls flat. The action relocates to a circus - groan - where we meet Marjorie Weaver (Jean) and her monkey act. Guess what? Yep, Baxter and Weaver fall in love. The film should have concentrated more on the tramps who start appearing in town to ride on the sudden benevolence towards them from the population. It would have been much funnier to focus on tramp John Carradine (Kopelpeck) as he lords things up. Eventually, after a clunkily slow storyline filled with unfunny characters shouting a bit and getting flustered, we get a poorly constructed misunderstanding which needs to be resolved. When is this thing going to finish! The obvious conclusion is long overdue by the time it comes.
Wealthy Warner Baxter (Tony) decides that life amongst his guests on his massive yacht is not worth bothering with any more. After all, no-one really likes him for his personal qualities (I don't know why as he seems a reasonable fellow) but they prefer to use and abuse his position and connections. Anyway, he has had enough and through a meeting with vagrant Peter Lorre (Louie) in the ocean, decides on his next course of action, which is to lose himself in town and find a true friend. In the meantime, word has spread that Baxter is willing to give 1 million dollars to anyone who is nice to him and the newspapers spearhead a campaign to find this wealthy millionaire disguised as a tramp wandering around town.
It's an idea which has mileage and had been done before in other films. However, this film just falls flat. The action relocates to a circus - groan - where we meet Marjorie Weaver (Jean) and her monkey act. Guess what? Yep, Baxter and Weaver fall in love. The film should have concentrated more on the tramps who start appearing in town to ride on the sudden benevolence towards them from the population. It would have been much funnier to focus on tramp John Carradine (Kopelpeck) as he lords things up. Eventually, after a clunkily slow storyline filled with unfunny characters shouting a bit and getting flustered, we get a poorly constructed misunderstanding which needs to be resolved. When is this thing going to finish! The obvious conclusion is long overdue by the time it comes.
Awwww!
Anne_Sharp11 May 2001
An amiable, workmanlike farce that's like "My Man Godfrey" without the archness, this Hollywood studio product has an unusually European flavor, perhaps due to the number of newly arrived Holocaust refugee actors in its cast. Especially worth seeing for Peter Lorre's engaging turn as a kittenish hobo.
I'll Give a Million
CinemaSerf7 January 2024
"Newlander" (Warner Baxter) is a bored millionaire who dives into the sea from his ocean-going yacht to rescue a man. Turns out that "Louis" (Peter Lorre) didn't actually want to be rescued - he's a homeless vagrant with little to look forward to in life. "Newlander" suddenly quite fancies this life and swapping clothes, vows that he will give one million francs when he is convinced that someone actually likes him for himself rather than his cash. His adventures take him to a circus where he fits in quickly and meets "Jean" (Marjorie Weaver) whilst his tramp pal, now replete with a dinner suit and a large bundle of banknotes, tells everyone that there's this wealthy man out there offering a large reward for some respect and affection... What ensues now is a quite predictable and occasionally slapstick story that exposes the fatuous, obsequious and the greedy in equal measure amongst the citizenry of all classes. His hopes of finding a genuine person, well they look slight! Lorre features too sparingly to do much of his Chaplin-esque stuff, but when he does he steals the scenes as we head to the increasingly obvious conclusion. Not exactly laugh out loud, but watchable.
Very charming comedy full of great character actors
dcole-229 December 2006
This is another turn on the 'rich guy goes hobo' routine, but it's grand fun. Millionaire Warner Baxter tires of all the hangers-on; when he saves tramp Peter Lorre from drowning, he switches clothes and tries out life with no dough. But Lorre tells the press that there's a millionaire dressed as a tramp who's going to give someone a million francs just for being nice to him. So the whole French town takes in all the tramps and gives them everything. Meanwhile, Baxter falls in -- and falls in love with -- Marjorie Weaver at the local circus. Lorre gives one of his best performances; and when he teams up with fellow tramp John Carradine towards the end, it's a match made in heaven. I'd watch a whole movie starring those two guys in those two roles! Baxter is just fine -- if a tad long in the tooth -- in the lead. Weaver is a fresh face; and the cast is full of wonderful faces and wonderful actors. Check this rarity out if it comes your way.
A different twist on the millionaire who goes missing
SimonJack18 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
"I'll Give a Million" is a fine comedy romance. It's plot is similar to a number of other films made in the 1930s. A rich tycoon goes missing to discover life for real among those without. This one has a different and interesting twist that sets it apart just enough to keep it very interesting.
This film doesn't have the cast of the highly popular and earlier version of 1936. "My Man Godfry" starred William Powell and Carole Lombard. Nor does it have the witty dialog or splashy display of the spoiled rich. Instead, it has an opening jab at a money-grabbing segment of society that wealth attracts. It then develops into a simple story of the rich guy among the masses, and then finding love.
Warner Baxter's Tony Newlander becomes disgusted with the fortune seekers around him. After saving a tramp from drowning, he takes his clothes and goes off to discover life among the real people. Only, a humorous twist of fate leads him to discover that most people have a bit of greed and lust for wealth in their hearts.
All of the cast give fine performances. Joining Baxter are Marjorie Weaver as Jean Hofmann, Peter Lorre as the tramp, Louie, Jean Hersholt as Victor, John Carradine as Kopelpeck and J. Edward Bromberg as the Editor. The story takes place on the French Riviera. It's an entertaining film with a different character than one is used to seeing played by Peter Lorre.
This film doesn't have the cast of the highly popular and earlier version of 1936. "My Man Godfry" starred William Powell and Carole Lombard. Nor does it have the witty dialog or splashy display of the spoiled rich. Instead, it has an opening jab at a money-grabbing segment of society that wealth attracts. It then develops into a simple story of the rich guy among the masses, and then finding love.
Warner Baxter's Tony Newlander becomes disgusted with the fortune seekers around him. After saving a tramp from drowning, he takes his clothes and goes off to discover life among the real people. Only, a humorous twist of fate leads him to discover that most people have a bit of greed and lust for wealth in their hearts.
All of the cast give fine performances. Joining Baxter are Marjorie Weaver as Jean Hofmann, Peter Lorre as the tramp, Louie, Jean Hersholt as Victor, John Carradine as Kopelpeck and J. Edward Bromberg as the Editor. The story takes place on the French Riviera. It's an entertaining film with a different character than one is used to seeing played by Peter Lorre.
Flawless Satire
rockymark-309744 February 2021
This movie is an almost flawless exercise in satire, though of course it will also pass generically as a comedy. While viewing the movie I thought of Vittorio De Sica and how similar it was to his own movies (Miracle in Milan came to mind). Only later I realized it was an American adaptation of DeSica's and Zavattini's movie a few years before.
In this day and age of robo cops and extraterrestrials it's hard to imagine that at one time there were human interest stories like this. The plotting too was superb, with effortlessly scripted complications coming one after the other.
It's also great to see Peter Lorre using comedic talents one normally doesn't identify with him. Warner Baxter, of course, was the second Best Actor Oscar winner for The Cisco Kid but frankly he didn't have much to do in this film, despite looking puzzled. Marjorie Weaver stole the show with an absolutely charming performance.
This film is flawless entertainment with both cynical and satirical commentary on the human condition while still fitting comfortably within the comedy genre.
In this day and age of robo cops and extraterrestrials it's hard to imagine that at one time there were human interest stories like this. The plotting too was superb, with effortlessly scripted complications coming one after the other.
It's also great to see Peter Lorre using comedic talents one normally doesn't identify with him. Warner Baxter, of course, was the second Best Actor Oscar winner for The Cisco Kid but frankly he didn't have much to do in this film, despite looking puzzled. Marjorie Weaver stole the show with an absolutely charming performance.
This film is flawless entertainment with both cynical and satirical commentary on the human condition while still fitting comfortably within the comedy genre.
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