Released in 1968, Hot Millions reassured filmgoers that the genre of English caper comedy was still very much in vogue. Offering a mischievous take on the man versus machine conflict, Hot Millions stars Peter Ustinov as Marcus Pendleton, an embezzler busted by computers and sent to prison. Upon his release, Pendleton is determined to harness computer technology to his financial advantage and sets upon his next con: reconfiguring the systems at his new company to issue checks to bogus entities, allowing Pendleton to collect the cash. Throw into the mix a ditzy Cockney secretary, a moth-loving computer genius, and an antagonist named Willard C. Gnatpole, and the fun begins.

Ustinov actually co-authored the script, which was nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Original Screenplay. Hot Millions was originally angled to be an American comedy, but reshaped by Ustinov to be distinctly English. Ustinov, with a prolific career as a film and stage director, playwright, author, and screenwriter gained acclaim and Best Supporting Actor Oscars for his acting roles in Spartacus (1960), and Topkapi (1964). He is perhaps best remembered as Agatha Christie's detective Hercule Poirot in Death on the Nile (1978), a role he would reprise five times.

Ustinov was also largely responsible for the casting of Hot Millions, which undoubtedly contributed to its success. Maggie Smith stars as Patty Terwilliger, the spacey but delightful love interest. Smith, who would go on to win the Best Actress Oscar the next year for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, taps into her talent as a comedienne in this film, further establishing her versatile acting capabilities. The role was originally slated for Lynn Redgrave, but due to a delayed production schedule, Redgrave was too heavily pregnant to continue the project, and Smith was cast as a replacement. Smith and Ustinov, noted for their onscreen chemistry during the filming, would appear together again in Death on the Nile ten years later. They would also share honors in 1990 from the Order of the British Empire in which Ustinov was knighted and Smith made Dame Commander.

Karl Malden was cast as Carlton J. Klemper, head of Ta Can Co, the company Pendleton is currently swindling. Malden is known for his heavyweight performances in Elia Kazan's On the Waterfront (1954), A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), and Baby Doll (1956); his intense dramatic ability earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Streetcar in 1951. Malden was recommended for the part in Hot Millions by Ustinov, allowing the method actor to try his hand at comedy. Ustinov is also credited with the casting of Bob Newhart as Gnatpole, Klemper's suspicious right-hand man, giving the actor his first major break into film. Newhart's greatest success, however, was in the medium of television; his two shows The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart, would span almost a decade.

Even the cameo performances in Hot Millions are noteworthy: veteran screen actor Robert Morley turns in a performance as Caesar Smith, the computer whiz with an obsession for moths. Caesar Romero, the "Latin lover" actor turned television star as the Joker in the TV series, Batman, adds levity as a Brazilian customs official. Via its talented cast and their contributions, Hot Millions is elevated above a mere slapstick comedy and emerges as one of the classic examples of sixties British film comedy.

Director: Eric Till
Producer: Mildred Freed Alberg
Screenplay: Ira Wallach, Peter Ustinov
Cinematography: Kenneth Higgins
Music: Don Black, Laurie Johnson
Art Direction: William C. Andrews
Principle Cast: Peter Ustinov (Marcus Pendleton, alias Caesar Smith), Maggie Smith (Patty Terwilliger), Karl Malden (Carlton Klemper), Bob Newhart (Willard C. Gnatpole), Robert Morley (Caesar Smith), Cesar Romero (Customs Inspector)
C-107m. Closed captioning.

by Eleanor Quin