Mister Billion

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.