A
rags-to-riches movie. Actually five of them. Various versions of this tale have been made from the big screen under the same title. There are versions from
1914,
1921,
1935,
1945, and
1985. Additionally in
1926 there was a
Miss Brewster's Millions. While I couldn't verify this I believe all are based on the novel
Brewster's Millions by
George Barr McCutcheon. The rest of this writeup is about the
1985 version starring
Richard Pryor since it is the only one I've seen.
This version was directed by Walter Hill and based on the novel mention above. The script was written by Herschel Weingrod and Timothy Harris. The cast includes Richard Pryor, John Candy, Lonette McKee, Yakov Smirnoff, Rick Moranis, Stephen Collins, Pat Hingle, and more.
Your basic riches-to-rags comedy.
Montgomery Brewster (Richard Pryor) is a minor league baseball player who is for the most part an average guy. He finds out he is related to a very rich man who has just passed away. He is the last remaining relative. But to inherit the money he must pass a test. He has to dispose of $30 million in 30 days to inherit $300 million. One catch is that he have no more assets than he started with. Another catch is that he cannot tell anyone. There are some other catches, but that lays the groundwork for the plot of the movie. If he fails the money goes to two trustees and they want him to fail.
I haven't seen this movie in years. I remember thinking it was pretty funny. So it is at least an enjoyable film. I remember the film using some pretty zany and ingenious ways to dispose of the money. The biggest probably being the Mayoral Campaign "None Of The Above."