21st
If I Had A Million
by Gwyer Maitland
If I Had A Million is a very funny look at the common man. It was made in the midst of the great depression in 1932. The story is about a dying millionaire who decides to give his millions away to strangers rather than the rotten people in his family.
He chooses people randomly to each receive a million dollars.
The story unfolds a series of film shorts where we meet each of the recipients living their normal day to day life prior to receiving their money. We are shown enough for each to get a feel of the kind of people they are - their strife, their struggles, their kindness and their fool-heartiness.
The film must have provided a sense of relief to those who watched it when it came out in 1932. In that context, I think laughter truly is the best medicine.
The first time I watched If I Had A Million…
The first I saw this film, I was around eleven years old.
At that time, there were basically only 3 primary television channels. On Saturday nights, there was a late movie that came on at 11:00 p.m. every week. Even at that age, I loved watching movies and often
did on the weekends.
I just happened to be looking for a movie to watch when it came on with no idea what to expect.
About 15 minutes into the movie, my mom got out of bed and said,”what’s so funny? You woke me up with your laughing.”
We sat and laughed together at the well executed humor throughout the rest of the movie.
Not only is the dialogue clever, the situational comedy exemplifies just how people do things in real life giving viewers a chance to laugh at themselves vicariously and to laugh at life in general.
Most of the shorts are above average. The acting and screen writing is a lot of fun.
WC Fields stars in one of the segments, and I think this may be the movie that got me stuck on his humor. I honestly don’t remember because I have been a WC Fields fan for so long, but his segment is terrific.
Charlie Ruggles is hilarious too.
Rather than spoil your experience, with my description of the humor, watch If I Had A Million yourself and enjoy it personally.
I have been looking for this movie for a long time and only recently came across its availability. I had actually tried to rent it Seattle, Montana, Pennsylvannia, New Jersey and Atlanta and have not been able to find it in inventory.
One time, in 1990 a friend of mine called me from LA to let me know it was available there. Interestingly enough, her brother in law’s dad was Harpo MArx, but that’s another story. For one reason or another, that connection did not work out.
If I Had A Million is one going into my collection because I ordered it this morning…
Get you own copy of If I Had A Million
It’s a keeper.
