Man with a Million

Original title: The Million Pound Note

1954
Approved
1h 30m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

As part of a bet, two aristocrats offer a penniless American a loan, without telling him that the amount is £1,000,000 in the form of a single banknote.As part of a bet, two aristocrats offer a penniless American a loan, without telling him that the amount is £1,000,000 in the form of a single banknote.As part of a bet, two aristocrats offer a penniless American a loan, without telling him that the amount is £1,000,000 in the form of a single banknote.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

4.3K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
The prop £1,000,000 note was larger in both size (about 7 x 9 inches) and value than any real note produced by the Bank of England up to that time, even notes for internal use. However, the bank still imposed strict regulations, which were violated when posters advertising the movie showed a reproduction of the note. This had to be covered over before the posters were allowed to be used.

Goofs
The flag outside the U.S. consulate features 48 stars, although an American flag in 1903 would have had only 45 stars.

Quotes
[Henry has just eaten a slap-up meal in a restaurant and the proprietor is hassling him to pay the bill. He opens the envelope from the Montpelier brothers and sees the £1 million note]
Henry Adams: [hesitantly, in shock] I'm awfully sorry. I don't have anything smaller.

Connections
Featured in Jonathan Ross' Must-Watch Films: Cult Classic Films (2023)

Soundtracks
Tempus adest floridum
(uncredited)
Traditional
Whistled by Gregory Peck

User reviews37

Review

Featured review

7/10

money man

Gregory Peck is a "Man with a Million" in this 1954 British film directed by Ronald Neame. Besides Peck, the stars are Ronald Squire, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Hartley Power, Maurice Denham, Bryan Forbes, and Portia Lansdowne.

An out of work, broke American sailor, Henry Adams (Peck) is given a one million pound bank note by two men who have made a bet. If Adams can return the note in one month, intact, the two gentlemen will help him find work.

Turns out that all he has to do is show the note, and he's showered with clothes, a swanky hotel room, and introductions into high society.

This is a slight but entertaining film about the power of money or even implied money. When Adams goes to get help from the consulate originally, they can't do anything for him. When he shows the note, they offer him a loan. It rings true in today's economy, where wealthy people have no problem getting loans from a bank, but if you really need one - forget it! Peck is young, very handsome, and quite good. All in all, this isn't much, but it is a good watch.