"The Millionaire" (1955) TV series 1955-1960

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Directors:

Charles F. Haas
Leslie H. Martinson

Writers:

Lee Erwin (writer)
Eric Freiwald (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | unknown

Release Date:

19 January 1955 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

In this hit 1950's TV series, a millionaire indulges himself giving away one million dollars apiece to persons that he has never met.

Plot Keywords:

Anthology

Cast

Marvin Miller	...	Michael Anthony (204 episodes, 1955-1960)
Paul Frees	...	John Beresford Tipton / ... (204 episodes, 1955-1960)
Tido Fedderson	...	Nurse / ... (92 episodes, 1955-1960)

Also Known As:

If You Had a Million

Runtime:

30 min (205 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

CBS Television

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "SCTV Network 90: One on the Town (#1.1)" (1981)

One of the better concepts for a television show.

In the days before lotteries, back when having a million dollars meant you were FABULOUSLY wealthy, this show had an interesting and effective premise. An unseen and mysterious multi-millionaire has his servant give a million dollars tax-free to a complete stranger, apparently picked at random. The only conditions were that he couldn't reveal to anyone how he got the money and how much money it was. The rest of the show would follow this person and show how his life was changed by the sudden wealth. The show worked so well because it's writers were able to create an interesting cross section of recipients and consequences. I actually haven't seen this show since it's syndication days in the sixties but it was interesting at the time and I remember it fondly.