Hot Millions

I rented this mainly to see Maggie Smith, and she proved to be enjoyable as always. Interesting to see Dame Maggie oogled as a pretty babe by Ustinov and Newhart. Overall, a charming, frothy little comedy-definitely a product of its time- with tacky 60s pop music & choppy 60s editing- it all seems to work somehow.

I just saw Hot Millions on TCM and I had completely forgotten this gem. Ustinov creates a clever and divisive plot that has him cleverly going from two bit con man to ingenious... Well you'll see. Maggie Smith is perfect as the bumbling secretary/neighbor who has a tough time holding a job but has a warm and vibrant personality that beams through in this picture. She creates a fine portrayal of a warm, witty and real person who in the long run...well...

Molden and Newhart as top executives take on the challenge of making what could be banal roles and make them come out into a comic life of their own.

Robert Morley and Ceasar Romero are just a pleasure to see and I know at least in Romero's case Ustinov is extending a helping hand of work.

This film is meant to be a shot back at the rising computer age and it's problems for the average con man or man for that matter but in fact the characters are so involving and so much fun to watch that the computer sub plot is almost lost...I say almost.

Let down your usual expectations of modern comedy and look for the great performances and friendly, forgiving and deeply involving plot in this picture.

I saw the description of the movie on TCM and only let it run because I like both Peter Ustinov and Maggie Smith, so I was delightfully surprised to find that I really liked the movie and found it quite exceptional. Of course, it is seriously dated, but as a period piece it is well worth watching just for the subtle humour in insight into life and lifestyle almost forty years ago. Now the only problem is trying to find it on DVD so I can watch it more often. I also was quite taken with the performances of Smith and Ustinov as the leads, and of Karl Malden, Bob Newhart, and the cameo appearances by Robert Morley and Cesar Romero.

Those who only remember the late Sir Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot or a professional raconteur would do well to seek out this charming piece of late '60s satire. Ustinov stars as a convicted embezzler (we first see him during his last day in gaol where he is preparing the prison governor's tax return) who, sensing that the future is in computers, poses (by means of a deft piece of identity theft) as a computer expert and sets out to infiltrate an American multinational.

Ustinov (who co-wrote the script) is on top form, as is the delightful Maggie Smith, here unusually cast as an accident-prone cockney-sparrow dolly bird. Bob Newhart also puts in an amusing performance as a suspicious executive who has designs on Maggie Smith. In addition, Karl Malden is satisfyingly sleazy as Ustinov and Newhart's womanising boss.

What do I particularly like about this film? Not only is it a well-thought-out 'caper movie' but it's also a touching little love story; Ustinov and Smith are very convincing as the two misfits stumbling into love (the whole scene involving the deck of cards is particularly effective.)

So, what is there not to like? Well, the script is no more computer-literate than most films (that is, hardly at all) even though it captures the feel of late '60s 'big iron' business computing quite well. Also there are a couple of small plot glitches that you're not likely to notice until the second or third viewing, but I consider these to be minor niggles.

As I said, this is a film which is well worth seeking out, and after you've seen it once you'll want to see it again at regular intervals.

Welcome to the 1960s! In Hot Millions, you'll see black eyeliner, white lipstick, ratted out hair, skinny ties, minidresses, bubble furniture, orange throw pillows, and a fascination of computers. And let's not forget the swingin' sixties music that permeates every scene. It's hilarious and horrible at the same time.

Peter Ustinov, star and co-writer of the comedy, plays a professional fraudster. Recently released from prison, he decides to get to know the new computer world, since he only got caught embezzling by a computer. He give fake name after fake name until he ends up giving himself glowing references to get a job under Karl Malden in a big computing company. Bob Newhart isn't too happy with Usti, since he liked being the expert in the office. Soon, Usti has the boss's trust and the affection of the hot, new, young secretary Maggie Smith. Yes, you read that correctly. Maggie Smith was young in the 1960s. She's so adorable in this movie, with her cute accent, fluffy red hair, ditzy persona, and coy smile. If you can't imagine Professor McGonagall stripping down to her underwear at the office so she doesn't get typewriter ink all over her clothes while she changes the ribbon, you've got to rent this movie. Can't imagine the Dowager Countess of Grantham playing the flute or prancing around in a minidress? Rent Hot Millions.

Peter Ustinov is also adorable in this movie. With his quiet humor, mispronunciation of famous people's names (Pu-see-nee instead of Puccini), and incredible intelligence, you can't help but admire him and hope he gets away with it. This is a crime comedy, after all. Usti's goal is to embezzle from Karl's company, and he sets up a very elaborate (and complicated) plot. This is a very sophisticated comedy, not for the faint of mind. If it goes over your head, just hold tight until the end and enjoy the ride. It's okay if you don't understand everything (I certainly didn't); it's still funny. And you'll still get to see Cesar Romero and Robert Morley for about five minutes each, as if they each owed Usti a favor and gave him a cameo.