In "I'll give a million", a rumor gets born according to which a millionaire disguised as a tramp will give a million dollars to the first person who treats him with kindness. The newspapers carrying this fairytale sell like hot cakes. Of course pandemonium arises, with hundreds of well-off people showering random beggars with generosity and hundreds of random beggars pretending to be the millionaire.
The movie is a comedy with elements both of rom-com and satire. It illustrates an age-old truth, to wit that it is easy to give if one expects a reward, but far more difficult if one believes no reward will materialize. Both protagonists do well, but it is Peter Lorre who steals the show in a magnificent comedic turn as a terminally confused tramp. What a range that man had !
The action is set in France, which is a bit of a puzzle since the 1930's USA did not lack in either very rich or very poor people. As a result the story could easily have been adapted to a purely American context. But then, perhaps people were going for some exotic "couleur locale". Part of the plot evolves against a circus background. Although this was not the intention, the scenes with the animals explain with a dreadful clarity why it's to wrong to grab wild creatures and force them into a life of hated slavery.
The movie is a comedy with elements both of rom-com and satire. It illustrates an age-old truth, to wit that it is easy to give if one expects a reward, but far more difficult if one believes no reward will materialize. Both protagonists do well, but it is Peter Lorre who steals the show in a magnificent comedic turn as a terminally confused tramp. What a range that man had !
The action is set in France, which is a bit of a puzzle since the 1930's USA did not lack in either very rich or very poor people. As a result the story could easily have been adapted to a purely American context. But then, perhaps people were going for some exotic "couleur locale". Part of the plot evolves against a circus background. Although this was not the intention, the scenes with the animals explain with a dreadful clarity why it's to wrong to grab wild creatures and force them into a life of hated slavery.