phasetrek Born in 1950, I've probably watched every episode at one time or another. At the time, it was an excellent show for its half-hour time-slot. But, it did leave one issue I didn't find out about until later.The checks were touted as "tax-free" checks. On a few occasions, I think I remember Michael Anthony saying that "taxes have already been paid" - leading many to believe that their unknown benefactor was a swell guy for paying them. But, it just isn't so.As far back as 1926, there was a gift tax ... though it was suspended until it was re-enacted in 1932. And in the long history of gift tax, the responsibility for paying it has *ALWAYS* fallen on the benefactor - not the recipient. Recipients of large cash gifts have *NEVER* been held liable for taxes or any kind - only the benefactors of those gifts.So, contrary to popular belief, John Beresford Tipton was less of a "swell guy" than believed. He was just obeying tax law. But, it does add a new wrinkle to the show. Over the 6 seasons, Tipton gave away $208,000,000. But, the gift-tax "tax bite" on that money must have been quite large ... putting his real expenditures between $300,000,000 and $400,000,000. He would have HAD to be a billionaire to pull off this kind of generosity while, at the same time, remaining solvent himself. In fact, it could be said that maybe the show was canceled because Tipton had reached a point where he could no longer "afford" his own generosity (grin).The one thing I've always wondered about the series (and never discussed anywhere as far as I know) is how much Michael Anthony's "salary" was. Anybody know?

A_Different_Drummer TV was a brand new medium then and they experimented. Take this show. Each week an unctuous character named Michael Anthony, who looked and acted like he had applied for the lead in the Mr. Clean commercial -- and did not get it -- would show up at a stranger's door. Assuming he wasn't shot on sight for bothering people -- this was the 50s and people took their privacy more seriously then -- he would unctuously announce that his employer J. Beresford Tipton (you can win bar bets with that name, I promise) had decided to give the occupant one million dollars, with the taxes prepaid. (The tax part was important, you could tell the network had the IRS sign off on that). FYI, you could buy a car for less than two thousand dollars then, so, to appreciate how much that really was, do the math in your head. Half the time the recipient(s) did not believe him but in almost every case (lots and lots of plot twists, this series was never predictable) they took the cash and it changed their lives. No regular characters. No plot arcs beyond one week. Just human nature at its horrible best. God, I miss this show.

dmecca-2 A fellow was desperate for money and was driving a truck loaded with liquid explosives. He was crossing an old bridge that seemed destined to break somewhere on an isolated road. I cannot remember after that. I've thought of it often. Just being so afraid he would not make it and wishing he had known they were looking for him with the money.By chance, does anyone remember this episode? I can't recall if they all had happy endings. I was so young. Evidently it made an impression that I remember this so vividly years later. (I was born 1952)It is odd how these old programs stay with us.

annarmijo Unfortunately, the original creator of THE MILLIONAIRE, who also authored the pilot, has not been given any credit here. His name was Walter Goetz, son of Harry Goetz (Paramount Pictures) and this wonderful series was his baby from the get-go. Due to some kind of disagreement over rights or royalties (I forget the details now) he left it all behind in the very beginning and has now, apparently, been completely forgotten. Just thought I'd mention it, having personally known him. Subsequent to his short-lived career in California, he made a living playing the music of Cole Porter, George Gershwin etc. etc. in piano bars and restaurants in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Lucky us. He was a wonderful man and it was truly an honor to know him.