The Millionaire (TV Series) - Michael Anthony

Michael Anthony

The Millionaire told the stories of Tipton's beneficiaries in flashback, as if from Anthony's case files. Each episode began with Anthony, behind his desk and looking directly into the camera, speaking one or another variation on this theme:

My name is Michael Anthony, and until his death just a few years ago, I was the executive secretary to the late John Beresford Tipton, Jr. John Beresford Tipton, a fabulously wealthy and fascinating man, whose many hobbies included his habit of giving away one million dollars, tax free, each week — to a total stranger.

From there, the camera faded to a brief tour of the grounds on which Tipton's home stood, as Anthony continued speaking:

This is Silverstone, John Beresford Tipton's 60,000 acre estate. From here, he spent the later years of his life pursuing many hobbies, often tied to his fascination with human nature and behavior. Mr. Tipton was a man of so many wide interests, that when called into his presence, one never knew just what to expect.

The camera then showed Anthony entering Tipton's presence, invariably greeting him with, "You sent for me, sir?" Tipton spoke for a moment to Anthony (always referring to him as "Mike"), explaining what prompted him to choose "our next millionaire", before handing Anthony the envelope containing the check, sometimes adding, "I'll want a full report."