IF I HAD A MILLION
US, 1932, 88 minutes, Black and white.
Gary Cooper, Charles Laughton, George Raft, Jack Oakie, Charles Ruggles, Alison Skipworth, W.C. Fields, Mary Boland, May Robson.
If I Had a Million is a collection of short stories made during the Depression – a millionaire who is angry with his relatives decides to give his fortune away to eight people chosen from the phone book, a range of people from New York City. The prologue has Richard Bennett (father of Joan and Constance Bennett) as the millionaire. There follow eight episodes: one with Charlie Ruggles and Mary Boland as his domineering wife, Wynne Gibson as a world-weary prostitute, George Raft as a criminal forger unable to cash his cheque, Alison Skipworth and W.C. Fields as former vaudevillians with an attack on road hogs (very relevant still), Gene Raymond (uncredited) as a prisoner on Death Row, Charles Laughton in a brief sketch as a lowly clerk in a huge office, Gary Cooper, Jack Oakie and Roscoe Karns as marines and May Robson as a strong old lady in a rather strict retirement home.
Writers and directors were asked to contribute and amongst those were director Ernst Lubitsch and writer Joseph L. Mankiewicz.
The film was entertaining in its day – is an interesting glimpse at film styles of the 30s, but still amusing and entertaining.
1. The title of the film and its tone, meaning? The overall impact of the film? As a successful comedy, as successful human interest, as successful drama?
2. How impressive an achievement is this for 1932? The quality of the filming, visuals, camera work, sound?
The film as the work of many different directors and writers?
3. How enjoyable was the device of giving away the money? The use of the phone book for the names? How realistic did this seem to be? Did it matter if it was unreal? How important was it from the level of symbol and meaning?
4. Comment of the social tone of the film. Remembering that it was made during the depression. The lack of work, the strata of society, the world of money, the observation of society, the areas of oppression? What judgement
was being made of society and its use of money?
5. How enjoyable a character was John Glidden? The arbitrary nature of his giving away the money? The effect that this had on him? The contrast with the people in his organization ? The moral of the story as seen in him?
6. Comment on each of the stories as human comedy and drama:
- Henry Peabody: ordinary man, the scenes of his being henpecked, his fantasies sequences with his wife as the parrot etc., his being picked on by his boss, the precarious nature of his job, the breaking of the china, the victim of his work? The enjoyment that he got in smashing everything to pieces? The point about the use of money here?
- Violet Smith: the atmosphere of the prostitute, as being imposed on, the transformation that money could make on her life, seeking the best suite in the hotel? Would the irony make much difference to her as person?
- Edward Jackson: George Raft as the petty criminal, the portrayal of the crime, audience sympathy for his receiving the money, yet reaction to his forgery? The detailed irony of his not being able to get money from the bank, from friends, loans? The irony of his being taken for a madman and the cheque destroyed? The irony of his being arrested? The roll of money in his case?
- Emilia Rue: the visit from Agnes. the memories from the past? The role of Rollo as portrayed by W.C.Fields? W. C. Fields’ style and the humour? The humorous and ironic use of the money by to buy cars, the enjoyment of the pursuing of road hogs? The effect of money here and the satire?
