The Happiest Millionaire
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The Happiest Millionaire is a 1967 musical film, based upon the true story of Philadelphia millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle. It is said to be the last live-action film Walt Disney personally supervised before his death.
Biddle is played by Fred MacMurray. His wife is played by Greer Garson, his daughter by Lesley Ann Warren and his daughter's beau by John Davidson. Also featured are Tommy Steele in a prominent role as his butler, Gladys Cooper as his mother and Geraldine Page as Mrs. Duke, the Davidson character's mother.
The film was made by The Walt Disney Company, directed by Norman Tokar and songs are by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Art Direction.
Different versions
The film previewed at the length of 172 minutes, which included overture, intermission music, entr'acte, and exit music. However, the studio decided to shorten the film to 160 minutes soon afterwards for its premiere. In the face of mixed reviews and low box-office returns, the studio cut it to 144 minutes. Again failing to stem the tide, they cut it to 118 minutes. The complete 172 minute version has been restored in recent years and has been released on DVD.