I'd Rather Be Rich (1964) User Reviews

Just shows that you don't need special affects for a great movie!

[jlong-1 · 8/10 · 13 January 2004]

This is one of my all-time favorites and I am NOT a big fan of musicals (per say). The story has a good plot and the actors were very comfortable in their roles. Maurice most especially seemed to show that he had a blast with this one.

Put it on DVD immediately!

Remake lacks the energy and comedy of the first film

[SimonJack · 6/10 · 30 January 2016]

Other reviewers have noted that this film is a revised remake of the 1941 movie, ""It Started with Eve." That film had a young man, who found a hatcheck girl to sub for his fiancé, called to the deathbed of his dad. Deanna Durbin played the girl, and was an aspiring singer, so she sang a couple of songs in the film.

"I'd Rather Be Rich," reverses roles and details somewhat. Sandra Dee plays Cynthia Dulaine who is called to the West Coast bedside of her dying grandfather, Philip Dulaine. Maurice Chevalier plays Philip, who asks to meet Cynthia's fiancé before he dies. Warren Palmer, played by Andy Williams, is the fiancé who can't get a flight out of Boston because it's socked in by fog. Enter Robert Goulet as Paul Benton, a chemical engineer from Cleveland, who scales the wall of the Dulaine estate in a suit and tie. He's been trying to get an appointment with Cynthia's grandfather about a new paint he has invented. Paul wants to convince Philip to test his paint on a rocket his firm will send into space.

Cynthia and the estate guards nab Benton, and she convinces him to sub as her fiancé for which she will get him an appointment with her grandfather's project head for the paint deal. So, both males who play the fiancé in this film are prominent singers in real life. Goulet also has a considerable film career, but Williams hasn't much of a career in film. In the movie, Williams is the singer and he sings a few tunes. Goulet doesn't sing at all – except for a couple of lines on a recording before Andy's character turns it off. Goulet sang in a number of Broadway productions, including "Camelot" in 1960 with Richard Burton and Julie Andrews. He won a Tony award in 1968 for his performance in "Happy Time."

Both films were made by Universal. The 1941 movie had accomplished actors in Durbin, Charles Laughton, Robert Cummings and others. This movie also has accomplished actors, but also leans heavily on the music side. Maurice Chevalier had a long and prominent career as an actor and singer. And, a nice touch in this film is the addition of Hermione Gingold as his nurse. She shared supporting actor honors with Chevalier in the 1958 blockbuster film, Gigi; and Gingold won the Oscar as best supporting actress for that year.

In this film, Chevalier is 76 years old and still a little sprightly. Charles Ruggles, a long-time supporting actor, plays Doctor Crandall. He was 78 in 1964.

For all the clever promotion and the introduction and closing epilogue with this film, it just doesn't have the energy and natural comedy of the original movie. Too much seems forced or flat here. Still, it earns six stars, mostly for its diversified cast of fine performers over decades of cinema.

Pretty good midcentury entertainment

[marcslope · 6/10 · 13 July 2022]

Fizzy little comedy, luxuriously wrapped in Ross Hunter trimmings, has ultra-rich Sandra Dee passing Robert Goulet off to grandfather Maurice Chevalier as her fiance, though the fiance actually is Andy Williams. Both singers turn out to be better light comedians than you'd expect, and the perfectly solid supporting cast also includes Gene Raymond and Hermione Gingold, reuniting with Chevalier several years after "Gigi" (the script doesn't quite know what to do with her). No world-shaker, but it's fast and light, and with two good songs, the title one by a very young Maltby and Shire. Even Dee looks to be having fun, and what a wardrobe she's swaddled in.

I wish I could see it again right now

[ltrnflute · 26 January 2004]

This is a great piece of 60's escapism. I'm surprised they didn't have Maurice Chavalier sing the title song instead of Andy Williams and Robert Goulet. Sandra Dee is a rich young woman in America engaged to a night club singer{or owner- I can't remember). She is called to her French grandfather's{ Maurice Chavalier} presumed deathbed. He wants to make sure she is happy. He's convinced that her fiance isn't the right one because he doesn't knock her shoes off when he kisses her. Apparently Sandra's grandma always got her shoes knocked off when her husband {Chavalier} kissed her. Enters Robert Goulet who is a neighbor and sparks fly, helped by her grandfather's sly maneuvering. It was alot of fun and I really enjoyed seeing Andy Williams do a straight acting role. I know I am prejudiced because I adore Andy Williams {I grew up watching his show every week and listening to my Mom playing his records} but I really feel he did a great job. I wish I could see it again, over and over!

This is a wonderful movie I want to share with my daughter.

[bjluke · 10/10 · 19 February 2002]

This is an excellent movie. I watched this movie years ago, but still remember most of it. I remember laughing so hard, I cried. The actors were wonderful. Sandra Dee is beautiful and just right for the role of the grand daughter. Maurice, I wish he could have been my grand father. Andy and Robert were the two best good looking guys a girl could chose from. This movie is just pure fun. This movie is great fun for the whole family. Please!!!! Someone release this on VHS or DVD or both.

A romantic comedy that is just fun to watch

[steve-1693 · 9/10 · 31 March 2005]

Two of entertainment's best singers, Andy Williams and Robert Goulet, square off over the affections of Sandra Dee in this delightful film. This is NOT a musical, but some great songs are seamlessly woven into a comedy made even better by the enjoyable performance of Maurice Chevalier.

Williams and Goulet show their talent is not limited to singing with some pretty good acting. Today it seems most romantic comedies feature bedroom scenes, rough language and vulgarity, but you will find this movie to be just "feel good" entertainment.

If you watch this movie before you go to bed, don't be surprised if you wake up feeling good and humming "We're Almost There", or "I'd Rather be Rich".

The Gidget Fix: more grown-up but worse for the wear

[moonspinner55 · 2/10 · 6 October 2015]

Flavorless comedy has Sandra Dee seeking to please her dying grandfather by using handsome block-of-wood Robert Goulet as a substitute fiancé when her actual beau (Andy Williams!) is a no-show. Hard to imagine any girl having to choose between Goulet and Williams as suitors--they both appear to have escaped from the same jar of mayonnaise. Ross Hunter-produced remake of the 1941 Deanna Durbin vehicle "It Started With Eve" seems set-bound and claustrophobic, hindered further by gloppy color. Three screenwriters (Oscar Brodney, Norman Krasna, Leo Townsend) are credited with the fatuous, unfunny screenplay. Something of a blow to Dee's status as a would-be leading lady (as well as Hunter's obvious aim to fashion her into another Doris Day). Looking grim throughout, Sandra goes through the motions but never has her heart in this featherweight material. * from ****

Fantastic

[folsominc2 · 10/10 · 4 August 2005]

Delicious, fantastic movie, reminds you of the old-fashioned screwball comedies but with a flair of beauty and pure fun! The cabin sequence is, of course, the best, but everything from beginning to end makes you laugh and truly can be described as a pleasant escapism.

Music from three of the hottest singers at that time also tend to lend a large touch of class to this genre. One of the best released in 1964.

The interaction between Maurie Chevalier and Hermine Gringold was also very cleverly done and not overdone. The fact that she, in a way, "won" the battle of wills in the end brings about a cheerful factor in what is otherwise considered a formula situation.

One of the other better parts of the picture, of course, was the "fist" fight by Andy Williams and Robert Goulett. Amazingly enough, through all the punches, very little bruising and more teamwork involved than anything else.

And of course, you can't overlook the amusing seasoned actor, Charles Ruggles, whose stuttering and homey voice always makes me smile. :)

Still a dying grandpa

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 20 November 2013]

With a sex change in the second lead, I'd Rather Be Rich is a remake of the classic Deanna Durbin and Charles Laughton starred back in 1941. Deanna was a young shop girl who Bob Cummings picked up to introduce to his dying grandfather Laughton as his sweetheart because his real sweetheart is unavailable. Only the old man recovers and Cummings is in a romantic bind.

Now it's the woman who has the dying grandpa. Sandra Dee wants to make sure that Maurice Chevalier ostensibly on his deathbed meets the man she intends to marry who is Andy Williams. But when Andy proves unavailable, Sandra picks up Robert Goulet to substitute.

This is Dee's picture although as leads she gets a pair of singers who were trying to break into acting. Why they didn't pick a musical project is beyond me because that's where their talents lie. Andy Williams is really to diffident for the role. Why Robert Goulet never did the film version of Camelot is still beyond me.

Of course the grandfather is the constant and Chevalier is always a joy. He's even joined in some kittenish hanky panky by his partner from Gigi, Hermione Gingold playing his nurse.

The comedy is a bit forced, the singers aren't really actors, but Sandra Dee drips with charm as well as sweet virginity. I'd Rather Be Rich is for her's and Chevalier's fans.

Quintessentially Ross Hunter-glossy all the way!

[gregcouture · 15 June 2003]

From its opening credits with the film's two male costars, Andy Williams and Robert Goulet, whose fans of their vocal abilities keep them busy to this day, crooning "I'd Rather Be Rich" to pert and pretty Sandra Dee, looking ultra-glamorous in one of the Jean Louis creations leaving no doubt that her character was a young lady of wealthy privilege, this Ross Hunter confection is a glorification of luxurious living in every frame.

As other postings suggest, this one boasted a cast who seemed to enjoy the nearly impossible task of suspending our disbelief at the scriptwriters' fanciful whimsies. Mr. Hunter always candidly disavowed any intention of putting anything approximating a recognizable reality on the screen and for this one he made sure that the jewels, the gowns, the Rolls-Royces and all the other accouterments of life at its most opulent were on constant display. The end result may not merit high praise but, as a pleasant diversion, it's a pretty good example of Hollywood escapism in the mid-Sixties and I suspect that a video release would be a welcome treat.

Innocent film from a bygone era...

[Nessy_Gliana · 9/10 · 7 June 2007]

I loved this film. No special effects, no flashy camera-work, just well-written characters, story, and dialog, instantly charming!

The characters were well-rounded and complex, not like the unlovable stereotypes found in today's romantic comedies. The jokes were well-paced. Actors delivered excellent performances. Directing was simple, not for showing off, just for telling a story.

AND there was no hint of sex or rudeness anywhere. Just good clean-and hopelessly funny!-humor. I laughed SO hard! (And didn't feel guilty for doing so!) This is the kind of movie we need today! No gross-outs no sex scenes, no rude dialog, just pure, innocent fun!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Old comedies are the BEST!

Andy Williams and Robert Goulet Vy for Sandra Dee - Charming Winner!

[JLRMovieReviews · 9/10 · 26 March 2014]

Sandra Dee's grandfather is dying, so when he wants to see her fiancé before he dies and Andy Williams' plane is delayed, she makes a spontaneous decision to pick another young man, Robert Goulet, to pose as her fiancé. As her grandfather is dying and won't be much more for this world, it will be all right and end there. But no, grandfather Maurice Chevalier starts to show signs of a recovery and getting better. When Andy finally does get there, things get really sticky and he and Bob take an instant and obvious dislike for each other. Bob is a chemical engineer and needs Maurice's influence and contacts. But he comes up with a crazy idea to pester Andy with a booby-trap of a log cabin, allowing the film to get a bit silly with physical comedy. But, this is a very funny and relaxing remake of "It Started with Eve," with Deanna Durbin, with the sexes reversed with Sandra Dee in the role of Robert Cummings who was the grandson in the original movie. The stars are good in the roles and an added bonus is getting the chance to hear Andy Williams sing - he has a beautiful voice - and the presence of such talented supporting actors as Maurice Chevalier, Hermione Gingold and Charlie Ruggles. Amazingly enough, we only hear Goulet very briefly in the film. But they both sing the title song in the opening credits. A young Rip Taylor appears as a airport counter clerk. But who actually gets Sandra Dee? This version may be different from the first. Who knows? But what we do know is that it's better to marry a rich man than a poor man. Have fun no matter what with this fun movie with crooners for the leads.

Still thoroughly enjoyable

[caa821 · 10/10 · 20 August 2006]

I saw this film again recently, and had forgotten just how good it is. Pure entertainment, and a true "Hollywood-type" story and setting. Nostalgiac to see Goulet and Williams (now in their 70's) and Sandra Dee, recently lost, in their younger years - along with Chevalier and Gingold, who were as enjoyable as they were together in "Gigi." Ruggles and Jenkins remind us of their fine character performances in films past. The relatively few comments for this film describe details of it entertaining aspects very well.

Having lived in southwest Missouri, near Branson, for a number of years, I had occasion to see Andy Williams performing at his theater a number of times, and at some other events in the area. His theater is a magnificent building, constructed by him with his own funds, with outstanding art and collectibles - a tasteful edifice in Branson, where most theaters, while modern, and comfortable with state-of-the-art systems, don't score too high in the "taste" department. I haven't been there for a few years, since moving, and I know he has shortened his personal performance schedule somewhat. But all productions there were classy and reminiscent of his quality t.v. show.

One interesting and perfectly-produced segment which I saw there the last two times I visited involved this film. In the scene where he and Sandra Dee are driving to the estate, and he is singing "Almost There," he had produced a depiction of himself - with gray hair, and 30 years older than his character doing the driving - running after the car. He then enters the car, actually sitting with Sandra and "himself" 30-years younger, dark hair and all. This had to be seen to be fully-appreciated, but it was as well-produced as any special effect from, say, Spielberg - and provided about 5 minutes or so of superb entertainment when shown on his giant screen. As I recall, he also "sang with himself," seamlessly integrated into the activity. This was not only enjoyable in its own right - but displayed graphically the time span this man's talent has prevailed. Andy is one of those singers/performers (Tony Bennett is another) whose charisma and quality of performance did not diminish with the passing years. And this film is an example, not only of a piece of fine entertainment, viewed for itself, per se - - but also to enjoy reflecting on the nostalgia for its period when it was originally presented.

Goulet and Williams in the same picture....who'd have thought?

[bob dove · 15 April 1999]

I saw this movie years ago,thought it was really good,but haven't seen it since.Two of the most popular singers of the 60's in one movie (plus Chevalier)....cool.If you have ever had the chance to see Andy's wonderful show at Branson,Mo.,he uses (or did use) a clip of himself and Sandra Dee(from this picture)in an absolutely hysterical bit.Put this movie out on video!!

Wonderful musical duel

[pfnoeren · 10/10 · 24 May 2011]

This is such a wonderful musical duel between Andy Williams and Robert Goulet. I saw this movie in a theater in early 1965 when I was in high school. It had just been released. I especially enjoyed how the beautiful tenor voice of Andy Williams was pitted against the smooth baritone of Robert Goulet. Of course the running line of Sandra Dee's shoes being knocked off with the force of Robert Goulet's kisses but not Andy Williams is classic.

Maurice Chevalier as the matchmaking grandfather to Sandra Dee is wonderful. He could have been given another song or two.

I have also seen Andy Williams show in Branson in his Moon River Theater and the "revised" road scene with the song "We're Almost There" was hilarious. Andy did a wonderful job of poking fun at himself.

This film needs to be released on DVD/Blue Ray. It is a classic in every sense of the word and needs to be preserved and viewed by EVERY generation.

A wonderfully happy movie. Maurice Chevalier was so much fun to watch that I wish I could see this movie again and again.

[Heav6m · 10/10 · 6 January 1999]

This is a light hearted comedy that simply sparkles. Maurice Chevalier was continually humorous and made the whole movie work. Sandra Dee, who played the loyal granddaughter, did an excellent job. Robert Goulet & Andy Williams were just the right blend together on screen. It's too bad this movie is out of print now. Hopefully, in the near future, this wonderful movie will be shown again and I'll be right there watching it!

Put this movie on video!

[bburkett-1 · 9/10 · 3 May 2004]

I had the good fortune to tape this movie off TV. The video quality is poor, but the movie still shines! The story follows a wealthy young women (Sandra Dee)who''s dying grandfather (Maurice Chivallier) wishes to meet her fiance (Andy Willams) before he dies. The fiance is grounded in Boston, so the granddaughter convinces a young engineer (Robert Goulet) to pose in his place. Hilarity ensues when the real fiance arrives. Goulet and Williams play wonderfully off each other, Chevallier is always a scream, and Dee is very sweet. The movie is very silly, but fun and beautiful. The lines are witty and the music (what little there is)is delightful. 4/5

Instantly Lovable.

[the_dreamer_425 · 10/10 · 29 August 2006]

My mother told me about this movie once, and I expressed very little interest in it at first. Can you blame me? Comedy isn't my genre. The comedies of these days are just plain gross, it's sad to see what humor has been reduced to.

When mom got it for me on DVD for Christmas I thought to myself, "I'll just watch it once so that she'll be happy." But needless to say, I laughed harder than I'd laughed in awhile. I've watched it over and over again and it still makes me laugh.

I'd Rather Be Rich is an instantly lovable movie, that you will want to share with everyone you know.

I Love This Movie!

[YorkvilleGirl · 10/10 · 3 January 2006]

The ultimate early 60's flick. A joy on every level. Where else could you have a cool opening number sung by both Andy Williams and Robert Goulet? And Sandra Dee parading like an ultra-glamorous Barbie in impossibly chic fashions? And Maurice Chevalier and Hermione Gingold doing the comic relief? Breezy, romantic, light-hearted fun. This is the kind of movie that deserves a chance to discover a new audience on DVD. I have truly fond memories of seeing this in the movies as a child. Back in those days, you actually came out of a theater smiling. It's annoying that this movie is seldom shown on television any more...and since it hasn't been released on DVD, it's really hard to find.

Loved The Ending For Sure!

[dweilermg-1 · 10/10 · 2 October 2019]

I won't spoil it but loved how the gal made the right choice at the end. ☺

Rip Taylor stole the movie

[frequent-2 · 9/10 · 21 August 1999]

Rip Taylor as the AIRLINE TICKET AGENT made this movie for me.

Highly recommended. Turns out he was WAY ahead of his time. Too bad they never made "I'D RATHER BE RICH 2". Oh well, you can't have everything.