Three on a Spree

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Three on a Spree
"Three on a Spree" (1961).jpg
Directed by Sidney J. Furie
Written by George Barr McCutcheon (novel, "Brewster's Millions")
Winchell Smith and Byron Ongley (play, "Brewster's Millions")
Produced by Edward Small (executive)
George Fowler
David E. Rose (executive)
Starring Jack Watling
Carole Lesley
John Slater
Cinematography Stephen Dade
Edited byBert Rule
Music by Ken Thorne
Production
company
Caralan Productions
Distributed by United Artists
Release date
  • 28 June 1961 (1961-06-28)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget£23,000 [1]

Three on a Spree (also known as Brewster's Millions) is a 1961 British comedy film directed by Sidney J. Furie and starring Jack Watling, Carole Lesley and John Slater. [2] It is based on the 1902 novel Brewster's Millions by George Barr McCutcheon, which became the hit 1906 play written by Winchell Smith and Byron Ongley. It had been previously filmed by Edward Small in 1945. [3]

Contents

The film was shot at Walton Studios. Its sets were designed by the art director John Blezard.

Plot

Michael Brewster stands to inherit £8,000,000, but only if he can spend the first million in 60 days.

Cast

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A new version of that hoary stage success, Brewster's Millions, which rings far too many changes on its central idea and leaves its hard-pressed cast panting by the time the inevitable happy ending is reached. There are one or two good gags and lively moments, but the comedy is otherwise sparse and leaden." [4]

The New York Times found the film "all unbelievable and more than a little unpleasant." [3]

The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 3/5 stars, writing: "First made as a silent by Oscar Apfel and Cecil B. DeMille in 1914, Brewster's Millions underwent another reworking in this shoddy British offering. The story lumbers around London as Jack Watling attempts to spend a small fortune in a bid to land a whopping inheritance. Carole Lesley comes along for the ride, without bringing much to the picnic. Sidney J Furie's leaden, laugh-free direction saps the morale of a willing, but woefully wasted supporting cast." [5]

References

  1. ↑ Kremer, Daniel. Sidney J. Furie: Life and Films. The University Press of Kentucky, 2015. p 39
  2. ↑ "Three on a Spree". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  3. 1 2 Eugene Archer (31 August 1961). "Three on a Spree". The New York Times.
  4. ↑ "Three on a Spree". The Monthly Film Bulletin . 28 (324): 172. 1 January 1961 – via ProQuest.
  5. ↑ Radio Times Guide to Films (18th ed.). London: Immediate Media Company. 2017. p. 935. ISBN   9780992936440.
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