''Three on a Spree'' (also known as ''Brewster's Millions'') is a 1961 British

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

directed by Sidney J. Furie and starring

Jack Watling Jack Stanley Watling (13 January 1923 – 22 May 2001) was an English actor. Life and career Watling was born 13 January 1923 in Chingford, Essex, England. The son of a travelling scrap metal dealer, Watling trained at the Italia Conti Academy ...

, Carole Lesley and John Slater. It is based on the 1902 novel ''

Brewster's Millions ''Brewster's Millions'' is a comedic novel written by George Barr McCutcheon in 1902, originally under the pseudonym of Richard Greaves. The plot concerns a young man whose grandfather leaves him $1 million in a will, but a competing will from ...

'' by George Barr McCutcheon, which became the hit 1906 play written by

Winchell Smith Winchell Smith (5 April 1871 – 10 June 1933) was an American playwright, known for big hit works such as ''Brewster's Millions'' (1906) and '' Lightnin' '' (1918). Many of his plays were made into movies. He spent freely but left a large fortun ...

and Byron Ongley. It had been previously filmed by

Edward Small Edward Small (born Edward Schmalheiser, February 1, 1891 – January 25, 1977) was an American film producer from the late 1920s through 1970, who was enormously prolific over a 50-year career. He is best known for the movies ''The Count of Mon ...

1945 1945 marked the end of World War II, the fall of Nazi Germany, and the Empire of Japan. It is also the year concentration camps were liberated and the only year in which atomic weapons have been used in combat. Events World War II will be ...

. The film was shot at

Walton Studios Walton Studios, previously named Hepworth Studios and Nettlefold Studios, was a film production studio in Walton-on-Thames in Surrey, England.art director Art director is a title for a variety of similar job functions in theater, advertising, marketing, publishing, fashion, live-action and animated film and television, the Internet, and video games. It is the charge of a sole art director to supe ...

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 The ''Monthly Film Bulletin'' was a periodical of the British Film Institute published monthly from February 1934 until April 1991, when it merged with '' Sight & Sound''. It reviewed all films on release in the United Kingdom, including those wi ...

'' 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." ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' found the film "all unbelievable and more than a little unpleasant." ''The

Radio Times ''Radio Times'' is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in September 1923 by John Reith, then general manage ...

Guide to Films'' gave the film 3/5 stars, writing: "First made as a silent by

Oscar Apfel Oscar C. Apfel (January 17, 1878 – March 21, 1938) was an American film actor, director, screenwriter, and producer. He appeared in more than 160 films between 1913 and 1939, and also directed 94 films between 1911 and 1927. Biography Ap ...

and

Cecil B. DeMille Cecil Blount DeMille (; August 12, 1881January 21, 1959) was an American filmmaker and actor. Between 1914 and 1958, he made 70 features, both silent and sound films. He is acknowledged as a founding father of American cinema and the most co ...

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."

References

External links

* * * {{Edward Small 1961 films 1961 comedy films British black-and-white films British comedy films Films based on Brewster's Millions Films directed by Sidney J. Furie Films produced by Edward Small United Artists films Films about inheritances Films set in London Films shot in London 1960s English-language films Films shot at Nettlefold Studios Films scored by Ken Thorne 1960s British films