Brewster's Millions (1985 film)
Encyclopedia
Brewster's Millions is a 1985 comedy film starring Richard Pryor
and John Candy
based on the 1902 novel of the same name
by George Barr McCutcheon
. It is the seventh film based on the story, with a screenplay
by Herschel Weingrod
& Timothy Harris. It was directed by Walter Hill.
) is a second-rate minor league baseball
pitcher with the Hackensack
Bulls. One night after winning an important game, he and his best friend Spike Nolan (John Candy
), the catcher for the Bulls, are arrested after a bar
fight. The next morning, they are fired from the team and have to sit in jail because they can't afford bail
. A stranger (posing as a photographer) offers bail and asks them to come to New York City
with him. At the Manhattan law office of Granville & Baxter, Brewster is told that his recently deceased great-uncle Rupert Horn (Hume Cronyn
), whom he has never met, has left him his entire fortune because Monty is his only living blood relative (by way of Monty's grandmother, Rupert's half-sister), but with several conditions.
Brewster is challenged to either take $1 million upfront or spend $30 million within 30 days to inherit $300 million. If he chooses the former, the law firm becomes executor of the estate and divides the money among charities (after taking a sizable fee). In the latter case, after 30 days, he must spend the entire $30 million within one month under the following rules:
1.) With the exception of those who saw the will reading, Brewster cannot reveal to anyone the will's terms. He may only tell everyone else he inherited $30 million.
2.) Brewster must spend the money on tangible items. If anything he buys accrues value, such as an investment that earns money, that is considered part of the money he inherited and he must spend that as well.
3.) Directly giving away money is capped at 10%, split between 5% in gambling losses and another 5% maximum to be donated to charity.
4.) Brewster may not willfully damage anything he buys with the money.
5.) After 30 days, he may not own any assets that are not already his.(in other words, nothing but "the clothes on his back")
If any of these rules are violated, the challenge is forfeited, all money goes to the law firm and Brewster will be left with nothing. Despite the tempting offer just to "wimp out" and walk away with the $1 million, especially after the law firm reveals that they already did a background check
on him and showed that the highest annual salary he ever earned was $11,000 while a member of the Toledo Mud Hens
, Monty decides to take the $30 million challenge. Angela Drake (Lonette McKee
), a paralegal from the firm, must accompany him to keep tabs on all spending.
Brewster, who has little concept of big money, does well initially at blowing the money as per the rules, taking expensive hotel suites, hiring personal staff on exorbitant salaries, and placing bad bets. Spike, not knowing about the deal and concerned about his friend's free-spending, takes the liberty of hiring Brewster a financial advisor who makes wise investments and earns money even as Brewster is trying to spend it. Brewster, realizing he is "right back where he started", gets the idea to join the race for Mayor of New York and throws most of his money at a protest campaign urging a vote for "None of the Above
".
The two major candidates threaten to sue Brewster for his confrontational rhetoric, but they settle out of court for several million dollars. Brewster then hires the New York Yankees
for a three-inning exhibition game against his Hackensack Bulls, with himself as the pitcher. He is forced to end his protest campaign when he learns that he is leading in the polls as a write-in candidate
and should he win, the job would carry a $60,000 annual salary - considered an asset by the terms of the will. Blowing his last $38,000 on a party after the game, Brewster becomes fed up with money (the goal his great-uncle had wanted) and is heartbroken that Spike, Angela, and others around him don't (and can't) understand why he had to blow his money.
On the 30th day, he finds that the sycophantic treatment he received from his month-long entourage is gone, and he makes his way to the law office. Having withdrawn from the election, he learns that the city voted "None of the Above", thus forcing another election with none of the candidates running for office again.
Warren Cox (Stephen Collins), a junior lawyer at Granville & Baxter and Angela's fiancée, has been bribed with the offer of a full partnership in the firm to ensure Brewster fails to spend the entire $30 million. Moments before time expires, Warren hands Monty $20,000 previously thought to have been spent and informs him he is not broke, after revealing his duplicity to Angela. With seconds to go, Brewster punches Warren, who threatens to sue Brewster. Realizing he will need a lawyer, Brewster pays the $20,000 to Angela as a retainer
, calling it an advance toward a law degree. At the very last second, Brewster has now complied with the conditions and inherits the whole $300 million while Roundfield announces that Granville & Baxter's actions will be investigated.
can be seen in the film when it is still covered in scaffolding during its two year renovation.
Richard Pryor
Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic, writer and MC. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities, and profanity, as well as racial epithets...
and John Candy
John Candy
John Franklin Candy was a Canadian actor and comedian. He rose to fame as a member of the Toronto branch of The Second City and its related Second City Television series, and through his appearances in comedy films such as Stripes, Splash, Cool Runnings, The Great Outdoors, Spaceballs, and Uncle...
based on the 1902 novel of the same name
Brewster's Millions
Brewster's Millions is a novel written by George Barr McCutcheon in 1902, originally under the pseudonym of Richard Greaves. It was adapted into a play in 1906, which opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre, and the novel or play has been made into a film nine times .-Plot introduction:The novel's...
by George Barr McCutcheon
George Barr McCutcheon
George Barr McCutcheon was an American popular novelist and playwright. His best known works include the series of novels set in Graustark, a fictional East European country, Brewster's Millions, a play and several films....
. It is the seventh film based on the story, with a screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
by Herschel Weingrod
Herschel Weingrod
Herschel Alan Weingrod is an American screenwriter. He has written and co-written a number of Hollywood blockbusters including Twins, 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger film Kindergarten Cop with fellow writer Murray Salem and the 1996 movie Space Jam...
& Timothy Harris. It was directed by Walter Hill.
Plot
Montgomery "Monty" Brewster (Richard PryorRichard Pryor
Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic, writer and MC. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities, and profanity, as well as racial epithets...
) is a second-rate minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
pitcher with the Hackensack
Hackensack, New Jersey
Hackensack is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States and the county seat of Bergen County. Although informally called Hackensack, it was officially named New Barbadoes Township until 1921. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 43,010....
Bulls. One night after winning an important game, he and his best friend Spike Nolan (John Candy
John Candy
John Franklin Candy was a Canadian actor and comedian. He rose to fame as a member of the Toronto branch of The Second City and its related Second City Television series, and through his appearances in comedy films such as Stripes, Splash, Cool Runnings, The Great Outdoors, Spaceballs, and Uncle...
), the catcher for the Bulls, are arrested after a bar
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
fight. The next morning, they are fired from the team and have to sit in jail because they can't afford bail
Bail
Traditionally, bail is some form of property deposited or pledged to a court to persuade it to release a suspect from jail, on the understanding that the suspect will return for trial or forfeit the bail...
. A stranger (posing as a photographer) offers bail and asks them to come to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with him. At the Manhattan law office of Granville & Baxter, Brewster is told that his recently deceased great-uncle Rupert Horn (Hume Cronyn
Hume Cronyn
Hume Blake Cronyn, OC was a Canadian actor of stage and screen, who enjoyed a long career, often appearing professionally alongside his second wife, Jessica Tandy.-Early life:...
), whom he has never met, has left him his entire fortune because Monty is his only living blood relative (by way of Monty's grandmother, Rupert's half-sister), but with several conditions.
Brewster is challenged to either take $1 million upfront or spend $30 million within 30 days to inherit $300 million. If he chooses the former, the law firm becomes executor of the estate and divides the money among charities (after taking a sizable fee). In the latter case, after 30 days, he must spend the entire $30 million within one month under the following rules:
1.) With the exception of those who saw the will reading, Brewster cannot reveal to anyone the will's terms. He may only tell everyone else he inherited $30 million.
2.) Brewster must spend the money on tangible items. If anything he buys accrues value, such as an investment that earns money, that is considered part of the money he inherited and he must spend that as well.
3.) Directly giving away money is capped at 10%, split between 5% in gambling losses and another 5% maximum to be donated to charity.
4.) Brewster may not willfully damage anything he buys with the money.
5.) After 30 days, he may not own any assets that are not already his.(in other words, nothing but "the clothes on his back")
If any of these rules are violated, the challenge is forfeited, all money goes to the law firm and Brewster will be left with nothing. Despite the tempting offer just to "wimp out" and walk away with the $1 million, especially after the law firm reveals that they already did a background check
Background check
A background check or background investigation is the process of looking up and compiling criminal records, commercial records and financial records of an individual....
on him and showed that the highest annual salary he ever earned was $11,000 while a member of the Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
, Monty decides to take the $30 million challenge. Angela Drake (Lonette McKee
Lonette McKee
Lonette McKee is an American film and television actress, music composer/producer/songwriter, screenwriter and director.-Biography:...
), a paralegal from the firm, must accompany him to keep tabs on all spending.
Brewster, who has little concept of big money, does well initially at blowing the money as per the rules, taking expensive hotel suites, hiring personal staff on exorbitant salaries, and placing bad bets. Spike, not knowing about the deal and concerned about his friend's free-spending, takes the liberty of hiring Brewster a financial advisor who makes wise investments and earns money even as Brewster is trying to spend it. Brewster, realizing he is "right back where he started", gets the idea to join the race for Mayor of New York and throws most of his money at a protest campaign urging a vote for "None of the Above
None of the above
None of the Above or against all is a ballot option in some jurisdictions or organizations, designed to allow the voter to indicate disapproval of all of the candidates in a voting system...
".
The two major candidates threaten to sue Brewster for his confrontational rhetoric, but they settle out of court for several million dollars. Brewster then hires the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for a three-inning exhibition game against his Hackensack Bulls, with himself as the pitcher. He is forced to end his protest campaign when he learns that he is leading in the polls as a write-in candidate
Write-in candidate
A write-in candidate is a candidate in an election whose name does not appear on the ballot, but for whom voters may vote nonetheless by writing in the person's name. Some states and local jurisdictions allow a voter to affix a sticker with a write-in candidate's name on it to the ballot in lieu...
and should he win, the job would carry a $60,000 annual salary - considered an asset by the terms of the will. Blowing his last $38,000 on a party after the game, Brewster becomes fed up with money (the goal his great-uncle had wanted) and is heartbroken that Spike, Angela, and others around him don't (and can't) understand why he had to blow his money.
On the 30th day, he finds that the sycophantic treatment he received from his month-long entourage is gone, and he makes his way to the law office. Having withdrawn from the election, he learns that the city voted "None of the Above", thus forcing another election with none of the candidates running for office again.
Warren Cox (Stephen Collins), a junior lawyer at Granville & Baxter and Angela's fiancée, has been bribed with the offer of a full partnership in the firm to ensure Brewster fails to spend the entire $30 million. Moments before time expires, Warren hands Monty $20,000 previously thought to have been spent and informs him he is not broke, after revealing his duplicity to Angela. With seconds to go, Brewster punches Warren, who threatens to sue Brewster. Realizing he will need a lawyer, Brewster pays the $20,000 to Angela as a retainer
Retainer agreement
A retainer agreement is a work for hire contract. It falls between a one-time contract and full-time employment. Its distinguishing feature is that the employer pays in advance for work to be specified later...
, calling it an advance toward a law degree. At the very last second, Brewster has now complied with the conditions and inherits the whole $300 million while Roundfield announces that Granville & Baxter's actions will be investigated.
Production
Filmed in 1984, the Statue of LibertyStatue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886...
can be seen in the film when it is still covered in scaffolding during its two year renovation.
Cast
- Richard PryorRichard PryorRichard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic, writer and MC. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities, and profanity, as well as racial epithets...
- Montgomery "Monty" Brewster - John CandyJohn CandyJohn Franklin Candy was a Canadian actor and comedian. He rose to fame as a member of the Toronto branch of The Second City and its related Second City Television series, and through his appearances in comedy films such as Stripes, Splash, Cool Runnings, The Great Outdoors, Spaceballs, and Uncle...
- Spike Nolan - Lonette McKeeLonette McKeeLonette McKee is an American film and television actress, music composer/producer/songwriter, screenwriter and director.-Biography:...
- Angela Drake, paralegalParalegalParalegal is used in most jurisdictions to describe a paraprofessional who assists qualified lawyers in their legal work. This is true in the United States and many other countries. However, in Ontario, Canada, paralegals are licensed by the Law Society of Upper Canada, giving paralegals an...
at Granville & Baxter - Stephen Collins - Warren Cox, associate lawyerLawyerA lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
at Granville & Baxter - David WhiteDavid White (actor)David White was an American stage, film and television actor best known for playing Darrin's boss Larry Tate in the 1964-72 sitcom Bewitched.-Early life:...
- George Granville - Jerome Dempsey - Norris Baxter
- Jerry OrbachJerry OrbachJerome Bernard "Jerry" Orbach was an American actor and singer. He was well known for his starring role as Detective Lennie Briscoe in the Law & Order television series and as the voice of Lumière in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. As well, Orbach was a noted musical theatre star...
- Charlie Pegler, Manager of the Hackensack Bulls - Pat HinglePat HingleMartin Patterson "Pat" Hingle was an American actor.-Early life:Hingle was born Martin Patterson Hingle in Miami, Florida, the son of Marvin Louise , a schoolteacher and musician, and Clarence Martin Hingle, a building contractor. Hingle enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December 1941, dropping out of...
- Edward Roundfield, executor of Monty's Uncle Rupert's estate (and Monty's occasional confidant) - David WohlDavid Wohl (actor)David Wohl is an American theater, television and film actor. He is a long time character actor with over 71 credits on television and film alone.-Selected filmography:*Terms of Endearment as Phil...
- Eugene Provost - Tovah FeldshuhTovah FeldshuhTovah Feldshuh is an American actress, singer and playwright.-Early life:Terri Sue Feldshuh was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the daughter of Lillian and Sidney Feldshuh, who was a lawyer. She was raised in Scarsdale, New York, an affluent community in Westchester County and graduated...
- Marilyn, interior decorator and Warren's ex-wife - Hume CronynHume CronynHume Blake Cronyn, OC was a Canadian actor of stage and screen, who enjoyed a long career, often appearing professionally alongside his second wife, Jessica Tandy.-Early life:...
- Uncle Rupert Horn - Joe GrifasiJoe GrifasiJoseph G. "Joe" Grifasi is an American character actor of film, stage and television.Grifasi was born in Buffalo, New York, the son of Patricia and Joseph J. Grifasi, a skilled laborer. Grifasi graduated from Bishop Fallon High School, a now defunct Catholic high school in Buffalo. He played...
- J.B. Donaldo, photographer and private investigator - Peter JasonPeter JasonPeter Jason is an American actor who performs in many plays, movies, and TV commercials, including Desperate Housewives and Deadwood. In his free time he makes his own furniture out of wood. He has appeared in 12 Walter Hill films, 7 John Carpenter films, has acted in over 100 commercials and...
- Chuck Fleming, an "Action News" reporter - Rick MoranisRick MoranisFrederick Allan "Rick" Moranis is a Canadian comedian, actor, musician, and a magician. Moranis came to prominence in the late 1970s on the sketch comedy show Second City Television, and later appeared in several Hollywood films including Strange Brew; Ghostbusters; Spaceballs; Little Shop of...
- Morty King - Lin ShayeLin ShayeLinda "Lin" Shaye is an American film, theatre and television actress.-Early life:Born in Detroit, Michigan, Shaye is the daughter of Dorothy , a homemaker, and Max Mendle Shaye, a painter and supermarket owner. Her brother is film executive Robert Shaye...
- Journalist at Rally