The Billionaire

The Billionaire
  • Release date: 8 Sep 1960
  • Release year: 1960
  • Runtime: 119 minutes
  • Country: United States
  • Keywords: map of france, chest of gold coins, farmer, voice over narration, hot air balloon, starts with biographical notes, munitions factory, canon, telling a joke, ancestor
Plot:
New York-based French billionaire Jean-Marc Clement VII has been able to build on the fortunes of the first six Jean-Marc Clements before him, in the process being known, in his excessive leisure, more for being a love 'em-and-leave 'em playboy than a businessman. Alexander Kaufman, his head publicist, learns that Clement is one of the many well-known personalities being satirized in an off-Broadway musical, "Let's Make Love," currently in production, they who will skewer his playboy status. After Clement and Kaufman discuss what they should do, including the option to shut down the show regardless of the fact that Clement truly doesn't mind being portrayed in a satirical way, they decide the best first measure of defense is to make a surprise appearance at a rehearsal just to show that he is a good sport, and thus may be less of a target. Clement and Kaufman's appearance at the rehearsal coincides with the auditions for the relatively minor roles of the many celebrities being satirized. As no one recognizes him but thinks he looks like Clement, Clement decides to play along and accepts the role of Clement if only because he is captivated by one of the featured performers, Amanda Dell. The more that Clement spends with Amanda, the more that he truly does fall in love with her, true love which is a first in his life, and wants to marry her. Clement has many obstacles to overcome for Amanda to feel the same about him. First, he seems to be competing for her affections with the man who is her leading man, Tony Danton. Second, he doesn't want to look foolish in front of her, which he may be asked to do in portraying himself in the show. Third, he doesn't seem to be the type of man personality-wise to whom she would be attracted. As such, he decides to hire only the best to teach him to be the man he believes to who she would be attracted, teachers whom may only able to do so much in this situation. And fourth and arguably most difficult, she has a generally poor opinion about "Clement" from what she knows about him through general publicity and as he is portrayed in the show.
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