Mr. Billion (1977)

User Rating:

5.2/10   

Director:

Jonathan Kaplan

Writers:

Ken Friedman (writer)
Jonathan Kaplan (writer)

Release Date:

3 March 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy | Romance | Action

Tagline:

The eyes of the nation are on . . . MR. BILLION!

Plot:

Anthony Falcon is a billionaire. After he dies, he leaves his entire estate to his Italian nephew, Guido Falcone...

Plot Keywords:

Mechanic | Italian | Billionaire | Nephew | Inheritance

Cast

Terence Hill	...	Guido Falcone
Valerie Perrine	...	Rosie Jones
Jackie Gleason	...	John Cutler
Slim Pickens	...	Duane Hawkins
William Redfield	...	Leopold Lacy
Chill Wills	...	Col. Clayton T. Winkle
Dick Miller	...	Bernie
R.G. Armstrong	...	Sheriff T.C. Bishop
Kate Heflin	...	Lucy
Sam Laws	...	Pops Dinwitty
Johnny Ray McGhee	...	Carnell Dinwitty
David S. Cass Sr.	...	Boss Kidnapper (as Dave Cass)
Bob Minor	...	Black Kidnapper
Leo Rossi	...	Italian Kidnapper
Frances Heflin	...	Mrs. Apple Pie

Also Known As:

The Windfall

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Iceland:L | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company:

Pantheon Films

Trivia:

Final film of Chill Wills.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: By 1976 San Francisco cable cars no longer went to Presidio Avenue, which is painted on the front, and were no longer operated by the California Street Cable R.R. Company, which is painted on the side panel.

Movie Connections:

Edited into 42nd Street Forever, Volume 2: The Deuce (2006) (V)

A funny road-action pic done right

Mr. Billion is a highly entertaining, fast-moving road action comedy in the "Smokey and the Bandit" style. The basic plot concerns an heir to a billion-dollar fortune, an Italian mechanic and race driver played by Terrence Hill, who must travel to California to claim his inheritance within a certain amount of time. If Terrence's character does not get to the corporate offices in time to claim the inheritance, the entire estate will end up in the hands of the executor, played devilishly by Jackie Gleason. Gleason's character continually directs a concerted effort throughout the film to stop the rightful heir from getting there on time.

Now, forget the plot. As you have probably guessed, the above situation simply sets the stage for the real feature of this movie--the bone-jarring, speed-limit-busting, car-rattling stunts, including a railroad jump stunt you have to see to believe. There's plenty of humor in this movie, too, and all of the players (Hill, Gleason, and Slim Pickens thrown in to boot) really have fun with the script and their characterizations.

To be honest, I first saw this movie on TV when I was about 13, but I often think back on this film and I think I would still enjoy it today (I'm 33 now) if it ever came back on TV. However, a trip to the rental store would probably be too much effort to expend on this film.

In summary, if you like road-action pics, this is an excellent kick-back-and-enjoy movie to spend an evening with.