The Happiest Millionaire is a very fun musical.
John Lawless (Tommy Steele), a recent immigrant to the United States, sings "Fortuosity" on his way to apply for a position as butler for the wealthy home of the Biddle's.
He is greeted by the housekeeper Mrs. Worth (Hermione Baddeley), who informs him that Mrs. Biddle is out, but he can wait in the kitchen.
While talking to her, while she's making chocolate cake (Mr. Biddle is on a chocolate cake diet), he learns that the last butler quit shortly after working there, and servants don't stay long at the Biddle's.
He quickly sees why, when the eccentric Mr. Biddle (Fred MacMurray) storms into the kitchen shouting that he's been bit by an alligator. Mr. Biddle is upset that his pet alligator George (one of twelve alligators), bit him, and sings
that his family should come rushing to his side, in the song "What's
Wrong With That?"
In a hilarious scene the Biddle's sons Tony (Paul Petersen) and Livingston (Eddie Hodges) scare away Charlie Taylor (Larry Merrill) who came to see their sister Cordy (Lesley Ann Warren), after accidentally knocking him out in the song and dance routine of "Watch Your Footwork."
Cordy is upset when he rushes off and sings "Valentine Candy."
Mr. Biddle runs Biddle Bible Class, a Bible and fitness class.
Aunt Mary (Gladys Cooper) tells Mr. Biddle and Mrs. Biddle (Greer Garson) that Cordy should have better influences for her social standing and they should send her to boarding school.
John Lawless had decided that the Biddles weren't the only employers out there and that he was going to leave, but after being unable to for one reason or another, he ends up deciding to stay, Mr. Biddle and Cordy join him in the song and dance number "I'll Always Be Irish."
At a party her aunt is giving while she's at boarding school Cordy meets Angie Duke (John Davidson) -He reminds me of her father.- He likes that she's different from most girls.
Cordy and Angie sing and dance to the song "Are We Dancing?"... and they fall in love.
With war brewing in Europe Mr. Biddle tries to convince the Marine Corps to train his Philadelphia Corps on hand to hand combat.
In the song "Detroit" Angie tells Cordy that he wants to go to Detroit, Michigan and make a career out of automobiles.
Cordy tells her parents that she got engaged to Angie, and her father's not too happy.
John Lawless does a great reprise of "Fortuosity" with George the alligator.
Cordy tells Angie that he's got to contradict her father, in order for him to like him.
Mr. Biddle likes Angie after Angie throws him down in Jiu Jutsu, and he wants Angie to teach him and his Philadelphia corps Jiu Jitsu
The rest of the movie is about the social differences between the Biddles and the Dukes; and the troubles leading up to the wedding which the families plan on being the social event of the year.
Aunt Mary and Mrs. Duke (Geraldine Page) do a great rendition of "There Are Those" with John Lawless caught in the middle.
"Let's Have A Drink On It" is a fun song and dance number.
Mr. and Mrs. Biddle sing "It Won't Be Long Till Christmas."
The Happiest Millionaire is a very underrated movie, but I loved it. I enjoyed it even more than
Mary Poppins; and the alligators really make this film a lot of fun.
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