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Three on a Spree
Three on a Spree
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 by	Bert Rule
Music by	Ken Thorne
Production; company	Caralan Productions
Distributed by	United Artists
Release date	28 June 1961;
Running time	90 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Budget	£23,000

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]

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

Jack Watling as Michael Brewster
Carole Lesley as Susan
Renée Houston as Mrs. Gray
John Slater as Sid Johnson
Colin Gordon as Mitchell
John Salew as Mr. Monkton
Julian Orchard as Walker
Libby Morris as Trixie
Cardew Robinson as Micki
Ernest Clark as Colonel Drew
Ronald Adam as Judge
Vic Wise as Spider
Hugh Morton as Grant
Tony Thawnton as costume designer
Larry Taylor as large man
Ruth Lee as receptionist
Johnny Vyvyan as Big Louis
Jeanne Moody as Barbara Drew
Marne Maitland as Eastern gentleman
Gertan Klauber as Joe
Alf Dean as enormous man
Frank Forsyth as barman
Geoffrey Denton as counsel
John Watson as 1st inventor

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

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