50 Million Frenchmen

Independently wealthy American Jack Forbes has just arrived in Paris. Because of his wealth, he can have any woman on his arms. Currently that role is filled by Marcelle Dubrey, but Jack ditches her when he spots the woman of his dreams. When Jack tells his equally wealthy friend Michael Cummins that he will marry that mystery woman, Michael, upon learning that that woman is Lu Lu Carroll who he too has been trying to court, bets Jack $50,000 that he can't give up all his money and get engaged to her within two weeks. Jack accepts the bet as Mike strips him of his money. Jack has to try and meet and woo her all without doing anything with her that requires money, all the while trying to hide the fact that he has no money as he tries to earn some using whatever limited job skills he has at hand. Meanwhile, Mike hires a couple of American detectives, Simon Johanssen and Peter Swanson, to tail Jack to ensure that he keeps to the rules of the bet, but also to thwart Jack's attempts with Lu Lu at any turn. What Mike is unaware of is that they are poor schmucks who are rather inept at being detectives. The combination of all their issues gets the collective into one misadventure after another as the two weeks wears on.

Director

Lloyd Bacon

Writer

Herbert Fields (based on the play by), E. Ray Goetz (based on the play by), Cole Porter (based on the play by)

Released

14 Feb 1931

Country

USA