A reasonably enjoyable road movie featuring Italian superstar Terrence Hill as heir to an American fortune trying to outfox crooked corporate goon Jackie Gleason in order to claim his inheritance. Valerie Perrine is hired by Gleason to trick Hill into signing over power of attorney. An early effort by director Jonathan Kaplan that is pretty much a non-stop chase film with Hill and Perrine getting into one fix after another (kidnapping, helicopter crash, car chase). Hill, who never really clicked in the US is clearly very much at ease and Perrine is undeniably sexy (the two show a lot of chemistry). Gleason is fun as a chain-smoking conniver and the supporting cast is great: William Redfield, Dick Miller, RG Armstrong and, best of all, Slim Pickens as Hill's unlikely ally. There is a rather sorry appearance by Chill Wills hamming it up as a drunken colonel. Kaplan makes good (and frequent) use of directing from a helicopter!
10 Reviews
Not great
sherilcarey5 January 2019
There were a few worthwhile moments and interesting tidbits here. I can't claim it's a well done movie and it certain had some fowl ka guage and other garbage-y elements that did nothing but detract from it. But I got a kick out of some of the aspects of it.
Silly and harmless entertainment.
aromatic-215 January 2001
Jackie Gleason plays it straight as the bad guy, and has trouble pulling it off. Too bad, because everyone else here is having a marvelous time, especially spaghetti western veteran Terrence Hill in the lead. An enjoyable supporting cast is led by Slim Pickens and William Redfield. This is just diverting fluff and would be a more-than-adequate time passer for the small screen if not for Gleason.
A Messy Adventure
LeaBlacks_Balls21 February 2010
In this awful late 70's cross country adventure film, Italian actor Terence Hill plays Guido Falcone, the recipient of his recently deceased uncles estate. Guido lives in a small village in Italy where he fixes cars for a living. He is visited by John Cutler, his uncles former right-hand man at the Falcon Bank in San Francisco. He informs Guido that he has 20 days to make it to San Francisco, or the inheritance will be null and void. Soon Guido is in New York and Cutler is back in San Francisco. Cutler has his greedy eyes on Guido's money and new found power at the bank. So he hires the sexy Rosie Jones to seduce Guido on his was to California, and trick him into signing over power of attorney to Cutler. What follows is an episodic cross country lark involving kidnappings, cowboys, explosions, bar fights, car chases, gunfights and other misadventures.
This movie might have been tolerable if the leads could actually act. Terence Hill and Valerie Perrine are embarrassingly bad. Watching Terence Hill in this made me wonder if the directors just grabbed the first decent looking Italian guy they could find, rolled camera, and told him to read the cue cards.
Valerie Perrine, most well known (and funny) as Lex Luthor's main squeeze in the first two 'Superman' films, borders on bad camp in this. I must say her scenes were funny but not for the reasons intended. Her introduction scene is notably guffaw worthy.
But sadly, this isn't a good movie to watch to laugh at. Although there are a few unintentional howlers here and there, most of the movie is just plain boring.
There are some good aerial shots along the way, and Slim Pickens makes things a little more fun when he's on screen, but all in all this is a true dud.
This movie might have been tolerable if the leads could actually act. Terence Hill and Valerie Perrine are embarrassingly bad. Watching Terence Hill in this made me wonder if the directors just grabbed the first decent looking Italian guy they could find, rolled camera, and told him to read the cue cards.
Valerie Perrine, most well known (and funny) as Lex Luthor's main squeeze in the first two 'Superman' films, borders on bad camp in this. I must say her scenes were funny but not for the reasons intended. Her introduction scene is notably guffaw worthy.
But sadly, this isn't a good movie to watch to laugh at. Although there are a few unintentional howlers here and there, most of the movie is just plain boring.
There are some good aerial shots along the way, and Slim Pickens makes things a little more fun when he's on screen, but all in all this is a true dud.
Senor Falcone goes to town.
mark.waltz20 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
While not an official remake of the Frank Capra classic "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town", this film is very reminiscent of it although isn't nearly as lighthearted. With the death of a billionaire businessman, his inheritance goes to a very distant Italian relatives, Karen still, who arrives in America and has to be at a certain place at a certain time in order to receive his inheritance. The attorney for the state, Jackie Gleason, obviously doesn't want to see that happen, and out of the blue, Hill is kidnapped along with Valerie Perrine, a young woman he meets while out enjoying his fortune. Hill utilizes his earthy intelligence to escape his kidnappers and get to where he needs to get in San Francisco (the Embarcadero) along the way in countering eccentrics like Army Officer Phil Wills and jail cellmate Slim Pickens.
The blond and blue-eyed Hill isn't a man of many words, and it's very funny that when he first meets loosen in the Italian restaurant that his family owns, he enacts a shootout with some very young relatives, a scene that is very Chaplinesque in the way it is staged. Hills' adventures are action pack and very amusing, culminating with a fight with his Animes in the Grand Canyon, then parachuting out over San Francisco. It's a feel-good film in many ways, so much different than I expected, and hell with little words scales of film from the veteran actors. Of course, the finale has to be taken with a grain of salt as a lot of the elements of it seemed pretty impossible, but like Gary Cooper taking down the people trying to keep the estate from him in "Mr. Deeds", it's difficult not to root for him like the people do cheering him on as he makes his way to getting his fortune. This may not have made a million bucks, let alone billions, but in retrospect, it's quite enjoyable.
The blond and blue-eyed Hill isn't a man of many words, and it's very funny that when he first meets loosen in the Italian restaurant that his family owns, he enacts a shootout with some very young relatives, a scene that is very Chaplinesque in the way it is staged. Hills' adventures are action pack and very amusing, culminating with a fight with his Animes in the Grand Canyon, then parachuting out over San Francisco. It's a feel-good film in many ways, so much different than I expected, and hell with little words scales of film from the veteran actors. Of course, the finale has to be taken with a grain of salt as a lot of the elements of it seemed pretty impossible, but like Gary Cooper taking down the people trying to keep the estate from him in "Mr. Deeds", it's difficult not to root for him like the people do cheering him on as he makes his way to getting his fortune. This may not have made a million bucks, let alone billions, but in retrospect, it's quite enjoyable.
Terence Hill strikes on America at own McQueen's style!!
elo-equipamentos21 December 2023
Terence Hill left for a while his successful partnership with Bud Spencer to make this solo act as Mr. Billion an American endeavor exploiting the charismatic Italian star in a new kind of role, instead those typecast bean eater on spaghetti westerns, he plays Guido Falcone a poor Italian garage's mechanic in Italy who becomes overnight a billionaire due his wealthy uncle had died in an unusual (comic) accident and left to him as inheritance a huge corporation Falcone Finance Company locate in San Francisco, due he has afraid to fly, he rather travel by boat and train, however to get the rights of state he must be there according his uncle's will in exactly twelve noons days or will lose everything.
In Hollywood formulaic plot, the chairman of Falconi Company Jackie Gleason will tries by any means stop Guido reaching in time, he hires a woman Valerie Perrine to lure him and sign a paper giving full powers to greedy man to take over all business, hijacking and even murder if necessary to accomplish his goal, then Guido enters in everlasting dire straits cross-country with several uncanny characters as the iconic Slim Pickens as Texan, many cars chases, helicopters, trains, and a breathtaking final sequence at edge of Grand Canyon is the highlight of this weird comic on Terence Hill's trademark, making a little homage to American Westerns as weel.
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 1985 / How many: 4 / Source: TV-Youtube / Rating: 7.
In Hollywood formulaic plot, the chairman of Falconi Company Jackie Gleason will tries by any means stop Guido reaching in time, he hires a woman Valerie Perrine to lure him and sign a paper giving full powers to greedy man to take over all business, hijacking and even murder if necessary to accomplish his goal, then Guido enters in everlasting dire straits cross-country with several uncanny characters as the iconic Slim Pickens as Texan, many cars chases, helicopters, trains, and a breathtaking final sequence at edge of Grand Canyon is the highlight of this weird comic on Terence Hill's trademark, making a little homage to American Westerns as weel.
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 1985 / How many: 4 / Source: TV-Youtube / Rating: 7.
Fun Movie with everything you would expect from Terence Hill
AriSquad28 February 2004
In true Terence Hill fashion this movie will not let you down. You have a classic cast of Hill, Gleason, & an extra treat of Slim Pickens (Who, no matter what role, is always a fun character to have). This film is basically about an Italian mechanic who has been left a billion dollar fortune but must reach San Fran, USA in order to claim it.. throw in a bunch of goofy mobsters who want to kidnap Hill and lure him off his path towards the fortune & a bunch of others who don't want to see him as heir to the throne of big business. The leading lady was below par in the acting department but it is still a fun romp from Italy, across America, and all the crazy chases and situations that come up in-between. Fans of Terence Hill will know what to expect and will be pleased. & as with most Hill movies, you will see lots of familiar faces from past movies of his. The best part of this & other films of his is the obvious amount of fun they were having making it & not unlike all his other films, they are child friendly. Free of harsh words, sex, & gore. If you happen to see it in a video store give it a shot, perfect for those rainy saturday afternoons.
Still fun after all these years
kathytexan-1258531 December 2018
I just watched this on Fox Movie Channel and 41 years later, it's still great fun.
Terence Hill is one gorgeous guy who excels in this film by at playing a kind but naive character.
The action scenes were well staged and directed. Good cast, direction and editing - the story moves along briskly. I was thoroughly entertained!
Terence Hill is one gorgeous guy who excels in this film by at playing a kind but naive character.
The action scenes were well staged and directed. Good cast, direction and editing - the story moves along briskly. I was thoroughly entertained!
A funny road-action pic done right
mvhcpa18 September 1998
Mr. Billion is a highly entertaining, fast-moving road action comedy in the "Smokey and the Bandit" style. The basic plot concerns an heir to a billion-dollar fortune, an Italian mechanic and race driver played by Terrence Hill, who must travel to California to claim his inheritance within a certain amount of time. If Terrence's character does not get to the corporate offices in time to claim the inheritance, the entire estate will end up in the hands of the executor, played devilishly by Jackie Gleason. Gleason's character continually directs a concerted effort throughout the film to stop the rightful heir from getting there on time.
Now, forget the plot. As you have probably guessed, the above situation simply sets the stage for the real feature of this movie--the bone-jarring, speed-limit-busting, car-rattling stunts, including a railroad jump stunt you have to see to believe. There's plenty of humor in this movie, too, and all of the players (Hill, Gleason, and Slim Pickens thrown in to boot) really have fun with the script and their characterizations.
To be honest, I first saw this movie on TV when I was about 13, but I often think back on this film and I think I would still enjoy it today (I'm 33 now) if it ever came back on TV. However, a trip to the rental store would probably be too much effort to expend on this film.
In summary, if you like road-action pics, this is an excellent kick-back-and-enjoy movie to spend an evening with.
Now, forget the plot. As you have probably guessed, the above situation simply sets the stage for the real feature of this movie--the bone-jarring, speed-limit-busting, car-rattling stunts, including a railroad jump stunt you have to see to believe. There's plenty of humor in this movie, too, and all of the players (Hill, Gleason, and Slim Pickens thrown in to boot) really have fun with the script and their characterizations.
To be honest, I first saw this movie on TV when I was about 13, but I often think back on this film and I think I would still enjoy it today (I'm 33 now) if it ever came back on TV. However, a trip to the rental store would probably be too much effort to expend on this film.
In summary, if you like road-action pics, this is an excellent kick-back-and-enjoy movie to spend an evening with.
Typical Terence Hill Fun
beajoh12 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Terence Hill stars as an Italian mechanic Guido Falcone, who inherits a billion dollars, but he needs to get to San Francisco by a certain date in order to supply his signature. The executor of the will (Jackie Gleason) is working against that happening. The movie is Guido's cross-country adventure in trying to get there.
And while I can't exactly say that this was an epic, it was pretty much what I've come to expect from a 1970's Terence Hill movie, made better by adding in a little Slim Pickens toward the end, always a treat. But I've never much cared for Jackie Gleason, and this late effort from the "Great One" doesn't do anything to improve my opinion of him. Valerie Perrine serves as the love interest, and I know her best from the movies Superman (1978) and Steambath (1973). Plenty of other enjoyable bit characters such as Leo Rossi appear in small roles.
And while I can't exactly say that this was an epic, it was pretty much what I've come to expect from a 1970's Terence Hill movie, made better by adding in a little Slim Pickens toward the end, always a treat. But I've never much cared for Jackie Gleason, and this late effort from the "Great One" doesn't do anything to improve my opinion of him. Valerie Perrine serves as the love interest, and I know her best from the movies Superman (1978) and Steambath (1973). Plenty of other enjoyable bit characters such as Leo Rossi appear in small roles.
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