Living the Wholesome Life I love the father in this movie. He cares about his family. He cares about religion. He cares about the safety of his nation. Is there anything that he doesn't care about? As with most people who care deeply about things, he has a passionate personality and makes mistakes along the way. But you can tell that the mistakes he makes is not because he loves too little, but too much. Along the way there is a fun romance. **Talking points - What should married people do when they disagree? Is it hard for parents to let children grow up and away? What's the best way to handle a snobbish person? What are the best ways to attract people of the opposite gender? Do we own any duty to our country? If so, what? Is it good for both males and females to know how to defend themselves? If you could keep an exotic animal at your house that was harmless, what would it be? If you could choose between a cook or a maid which would you choose? Is it hard to follow your dreams in life? What things distract you or dissuade you from them?

leandros-1 The Sherman brothers did their best..... (trying to copy the sound and atmosphere of "Mary Poppins" as much as they could) and Uncle Walt did what he could, I do understand that this movie never became popular and the big hit.Where "Mary Poppins" or "The Sounds of Music" are still a joy and good stories, this one leads to nowhere. Scenes with Alligators and all the boxing that make no sense, songs in every place to prolong the movie into an almost 3 hour drama/sit.The only interesting and -really- humorous scene is the first meeting of Mrs. Duke (Geraldine Page) and Aunt Mary Drexel (Gladys Cooper). And that is it....I wish I had seen the Swedish copy, as it has only 118 minutes runtime. Probably the film would have been a little bit more to my liking..... and at least an hour shorter!!

edwagreen Despite a phenomenal cast, "The Happiest Millionaire" really never takes off.This is probably because the star of the film should have been butler Tommy Steele who begins the picture on a high note with the clever tune Fortuosity. Steele is toothy and with that broad smile, he could easily captivate audiences. Unfortunately, he soon falls into a rather supporting role to an eccentric Biddle family.Fred MacMurray is all right for the part but his monotone voice is annoying at times. As his wife, Greer Garson, is wonderful. She depicts that regal elegance that made her so famous through the years. She is just an older, elegant version of Mrs. Miniver and all the other great roles she had in the 1940s.Gladys Cooper is a rather tame Auntie here. Cooper was always at her best when she was an upper class mean person. The upper class is certainly there but where is her usual nastiness? Ditto for Geraldine Page. Page as Lesley Ann Warren's prospective mother-in-law causes mayhem as she usually did in pictures. This being a musical comedy, her usual frustrations are missing and we could have used them there.Enough with the alligator scenes already. MacMurray and family wear their bible shirts and practice boxing. MacMurray is anxious for the U.S. to be prepared for World War 1 and he urges President Wilson for this preparedness.The big surprise of this film is that all our players could carry a tune. I thought that the argument scene between Cooper and Page would have been exacerbated.The film falters as we have seen the bar-room brawls and social fights among the upper classes in society before.

mntwister I am not sure why some of the people disliked the film so much. The musical score by the Sherman Brothers is first class, the casting excellent, and the story moving. It seems to me those who review films like this in the negative really can't sit down and be entertained for a few hours. One doesn't always need a deep movie....a person can watch this film and feel good when it's over, and to me, that's what film is best at.I just watched for the 6th time the dvd of the roadshow edition, and it is much better than the edited version. The ending was too abrupt before, and now we have not only an extra song, but a much better climax, that of a grand musical.Leslie Ann Warren and John Davidson make their screen debut, and both are perfectly cast. The soundtrack on the dvd has been restored and sounds wonderful, especially in scenes with an orchestra, and the picture quality is very good for the period.The best thing about this film is the score of the wonderful Sherman Brothers. Songs like FORTUOSITY,ARE WE DANCING, I'LL ALWAYS BE IRISH, DETROIT, NO DILLY DALLY, THERE ARE THOSE are much under-rated. This is an excellent original musical score.Highly recommend for kids, families, and grown ups with a child still within.