SimonJack
This is a wonderful, sophisticated British comedy caper that may take two or more viewings for one to fully enjoy. It did me. That's because much of the comedy is subtle or cleverly masked. A simple exchange in unassuming dialog often contains a pointed piece of humor. On a second viewing, some weeks later, I caught some of that, which I didn't remember. So, I watched it once more a few days later and discovered even more subtle gems tucked away in this seemingly simple and straightforward script.Ira Wallach and Peter Ustinov wrote a masterful screenplay for this film. At first sitting, it may seem to be slow to develop. But, therein lies some very smart humor in the signs, news headlines, and other things Ustinov sees after he gets out of prison. He is being released from H.M. Prison Wormwood Scrubs. I don't think this is spilling the beans since the film opens with Ustinov's character finishing the taxes of the warden who is about to release him from jail – or gaol, in British English. (Might not such a tautology be used in this film?)Made at MGM British studios in England, "Hot Millions" has a superb cast of English and American Actors. Ustinov is Marcus Pendleton, aka Caesar Smith. Maggie Smith is Patty Terwilliger who becomes Mrs. Smith. Both are superb in their roles as are Karl Malden and Bob Newhart. Malden plays Carlton Klemper, the CEO of an American firm with operations in London – Ta Can Co (it stands for Tacoma Concrete and Cement Corp.). Newhart is Willard Gnatpole, an assistant head of the company who's in charge of the computer. Robert Morley is delightful in his small part as Caesar Smith, and Cesar Romero is fun in his cameo as a Brazilian customs inspector. Did they need a real-real Cesar to complete the hilarity here? What a hoot the scene is when he makes Klemper pour out a jar of instant coffee that he was "smuggling" into Brazil. Imagine someone taking coffee into Brazil. That's like taking coals to Newcastle. Or, for younger Americans, hot dogs to a ball game.A handful of uncredited characters add more humor. Most notable are some older men in a Gentleman's Club. I won't describe the plot because, for those who haven't seen the film, the unfolding story provides many of the gleeful moments about this comedy gem. But this film has something more than the comedy. It's a nice look at human relationships, friendships and blossoming romance. Especially among shy folks at fist.Others might find it interesting that MGM had a subsidiary studio in England that operated for three decades. MGM-British was established at Denham Film Studios in 1936. It was inactive during World War II but resumed operations in facilities at Borehamwood after the war. Many MGM films set in England were made there. "Hot Millions" was among the last.As a comedy, this film also has the distinction of being one of the earliest movies to have a computer as a main character. The first one that I know of was "Desk Set" in 1957, a comedy with Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. The next one was a year before this one. "Billion Dollar Brain" was a crime-thriller with Michael Caine and Karl Malden in 1967."Hot Millions" is a wonderful film for the whole family. Don't mind that younger viewers won't get much of the humor. Then one should watch it again for the things you probably missed. Did he get the 500 plus pounds refund, or was he put on the carpet to defend his return? The only thing that still gnaws at me after flushing out most of the humor here is what happened when the warden sent in his tax return.What a hoot of a film and pure enjoyment in the characters and story. What a delightful ending that catches one off guard. And then a final ending (oxymoron) after that to warm one's heart. I can't resist leaving off without a few samples of humor from this film.Landlady, "So you're a traffic warden now? That's a nice steady job." Patty, "Yeah, I got fired today." Landlady, "What for?" "Well, I haven't the heart to give anyone a ticket. It's wicked trying to park out West. I let them treble park right along the Strand, see." Marcus,"Oh, I couldn't fire you. Patty. You'd starve to death." Patty,"Assets? What are they?" Marcus, "Young female donkeys …ha ha. Oh, Patty. " Caesar Smith, "Moths are my passion since my wife died."Marcus/Caesar, "After all, no greatness is possible without a little intelligent madness, is it?" Carlton, "Ah, you put that beautifully. Let me write that down." Marcus/Caesar, "Well now, give credit where credit is due, sir. I believe it was Hitler who said that, sir." Carlton, "It just goes to show you – there's nothing new under the sun. Nothing changes but man's capability for change." Marcus/Caesar, "Oh, that's lovely too. Who said that?" Carlton, "Napoleon!" Patty, "Oh,it's hot in here. May I take my coat off?" Willard, "Yes! Anything."Carlton, "Yessir! When the time comes, I may even put in a bid for all of England." Marcus/Caesar, "Hadn't you better wait till it's solvent?"Man at card table in the Gentleman's Club, "Is this your first time at the club?" Marcus, "This club, yes! I'm just down from the North."Marcus has been pumping the card players for names of top notch computer experts. The eldest player finally says, "If this keeps up, I shall violate a lifetime principle and play bridge with women."
dgz78
Okay, for those that dislike this movie, I agree this ain't Olivier doing Shakespeare. But it is a charming little caper movie that could only have been made in the sixties.Peter Ustinov plays a charming embezzler and Maggie Smith plays a not-so dumb-in-the end secretary that he marries. It doesn't have any roll on the floor laughs but then again it doesn't try to. Made before the blockbuster era of Jaws and Star Wars and even before the crass but extremely funny humor of M.A.S.H., simple movies like this could be made for a modest cost without being expected to be the next Gone With The Wind.If you come across this movie, just enjoy it without looking for any deep underlying message.
HallmarkMovieBuff
"Hot Millions" is a well-written, well-acted tale about an embezzler who steals (whoops! -- too low class a word for an embezzler, according to Peter Ustinov's lead character) a "hot million" from the London branch of a U.S. corporation by creating shell corporations on the continent and using the firm's ostensibly secure computer to transfer funds to them. (Remember, spoiler police, this is a comedy, not a mystery.) From 1968, this movie's depiction of computers may seem naive to today's more computer-literate populace; but as one who has worked with computers since before this film was released, I would assert that even then, this smacks of having been written by and for computer illiterates, probably on purpose to heighten the droll comedic aspects of this British flick. If one has little taste for this type of entertainment, the movie may seem to drag in spots. Fortunately, it has a nicely wrapped-up ending; unfortunately, the end credits give no indication of the classical music used therein -- the symphonic piece at the end and the piano-flute duet in the middle -- just the song sung by Lulu which I totally don't remember.
