The Millionaire
Theatrical Poster
Directed by	John G. Adolfi
Written by	Julien Josephson Booth Tarkington Maude T. Howell
Based on	Idle Hands 1921 story in The Saturday Evening Post by Earl Derr Biggers
Produced by	John G. Adolfi
Starring	George Arliss David Manners Evalyn Knapp Florence Arliss James Cagney
Cinematography	James Van Trees
Edited by	Owen Marks
Music by	Alois Reiser
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date	May 1, 1931 (1931-05-01)
Running time	80 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$283,000[1]
Box office	$835,000[1]

The Millionaire is a 1931 all-talking pre-Code comedy film produced and distributed by Warner Bros. and starring George Arliss in the title role. The film is a remake of the 1922 film titled The Ruling Passion, which also starred Arliss. The film was based on the short story "Idle Hands" by Earl Derr Biggers. In one of his early film roles, James Cagney had a brief but key appearance as a life insurance salesman.^[2] The supporting cast features Florence Arliss, David Manners, Evalyn Knapp, Noah Beery Sr., Cagney, J. Farrell MacDonald, Charley Grapewin and Tully Marshall.

Plot

Wealthy car manufacturer James Alden is forced to retire by his physician, Dr. Harvey. However, idleness soon bores him. He takes the advice of brash life insurance salesman Schofield and buys half interest in a gas station from Peterson without telling his wife Laura or socialite daughter Barbara 'Babs' Alden. Because he is known nationwide, he uses the alias Charles Miller.

He and new partner William 'Bill' Merrick quickly discover that they have been swindled. A new highway opens the next day, and Peterson's new gas station takes nearly all their business away. Refusing to give up, James convinces Bill to borrow $1,000 from his aunt to build a new gas station right across the street from Peterson's. Bill is an architect, so he does the design work. With James' business sense, they thrive, while Peterson languishes.

One day, Babs stops at the station for gas. Bill recognizes her (they met once at a dance at the University of Michigan) and starts a conversation. Soon, Babs is a frequent customer. James is secretly pleased because he disapproved of the rich idler she had been dating, Carter Andrews, but publicly he discourages his daughter from seeing someone not of their lofty social rank.

In the end, Peterson buys James and Bill out (at a substantial profit to them). Bill finally works up the courage to speak to Babs' father about marrying her and is stunned to learn his future in-law's identity.

Cast

Box office

According to Warner Bros records, the film earned $542,000 domestically and $293,000 foreign.^[1]

Preservation status

• A print is preserved in the Library of Congress collection.^[3]