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Anyone who is drawn to watch The Millionaire (1931) starring James Cagney, won't find much of him in this film. They will see a totally enjoyable movie and an amazing performance by English actor George Arliss who plays a duel role as automaker James Alden and his retired alter ego Charlie Miller.
George Arliss, David Manners, Evalyn Knapp in "The Millionaire" © Warner Bros Pictures
When the aging James Alden is diagnosed by his doctor ((J. C. Nugent) with a slight heart ailment, he's warned to retire from the auto empire he started as a young man and turned into a million dollar business. The movie starts as James is bidding goodbye to his employees and turning over the reins to the company.
Within a few months James is seen at a family soirée, and he is obviously envious of the young people frolicking around. He's also annoyed with the over attention of his butler (Ivan F.
Simpson) to take his medicine, and warning not to eat a piece of toast but a wafer instead.
While sitting on his lawn one day and all wrapped up in too many cloaks, a life insurance salesman (James Cagney) stops in and gives James his own advice - that retirement is bad for the health. He hands James a newspaper and encourages him to look at the businesses for sale and put his entrepreneurial brain to work and buy a new business.
George Arliss/David Manners in "The Millionaire" © Warner Bros. Pictures
James does exactly that and behind his wife's (Florence Arliss-George's real wife) and daughter's (Evalyn Knapp) back, buys half ownership under an assumed name of Charlie Miller, in a thriving gas station. The day after the purchase, James and his partner Bill Merrick (David Manners) wonder why there are no cars coming in. They learn the owner (Noah Beery) sold the station because the new highway was opening and he bought a new station by it. Keeping his true identity from Bill, James devises a plan that will benefit them both. Bill gets more benefit than he realizes as he meets and falls in love with James' daughter, Barbara "Babs."
George Arliss was an English stage actor who came into film late in his life. His made The Devil, his fist movie, at age 53. His stage talents certainly show up in The Millionaire , in which Arliss is absolutely fabulous. He could never speak a word and we would know every thing going on in this story by Arliss' physical expressions and mannerisms. He's dejected and gloomy when he's leaving his plant for the last time. We see him hopeful and rejuvenated in step and posture when he starts his new job at the station. His big grin and rubbing together of his hands tell his joy when he and Bill fool the man who duped them. Arliss is also precise when manipulating the relationship between Bill and Babs. The film world was assured of Arliss' talent when he earned an Academy Award in Disraeli (1929), his second film. David Manners is also great in this optimistic and joyous role. Nova Scotian born Manners was raised in New York before finding himself in movies in Hollywood. He made several films including Dracula in 1931 before he decided he had enough of Hollywood. He bought a ranch and settled into a life as a writer, but entertained many of Hollywood's elite at the ranch. After several years Manners went back to Hollywood making movies for several years including The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1935) before retuning to the stage and writing more books.
The Millionaire was only James Cagney's fourth film but he had learned how to make the most of his few minutes.
Catch this movie on TV whenever you can, it's really fun.
Director: John G. Adolfi
Writers: Earl Derr Biggers (story), Julien Josephson
Cast Members: George Arliss, Florence Arliss, David Manners, Evalyn Knapp, James Cagney, Bramwell Fletcher
Rating: Unrated - fine for all ages
Run Time: 80 minutes
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Black & White
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