Richie Rich (sometimes stylized Ri¢hie Ri¢h) is a 1994 live-action film adaptation of the Harvey Comics comic book character Richie Rich. Directed by Donald Petrie, the film stars Macaulay Culkin as the title character. Edward Herrmann, Michael McShane, Christine Ebersole, Jonathan Hyde, and John Larroquette serve in supporting roles, while Claudia Schiffer and Ben Stein appear in cameo roles. Culkin's younger brother Rory Culkin played the part of little Richie.

In 1998, it was followed by a direct-to-video sequel, Richie Rich's Christmas Wish.

While in theaters, the film was shown with a Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoon called Chariots of Fur.

Synopsis

Richie Rich is the world's wealthiest kid, a billionaire, getting $100,000 a week and has anything money can buy, except friends (save his loyal butler Cadbury). But he thinks he might get his chance when he encounters a group of sandlot kids playing baseball. By being himself, he manages to win their friendship and loyalty. Meanwhile, evil businessman Lawrence Van Dough is conspiring to dispose of Richie and his family in order to break into the fabled Rich family vault. Now, it's up to Richie, Cadbury, the loyal about the Rich staff and Richie's friends to stop Van Dough and save his parents.

Van Dough eventually brings the Rich family, at gunpoint, into the mountainous vault that holds all their valuables. Van Dough is surprised to find that the vault holds childhood keepsakes, nothing he could sell. Demanding an explanation, he finds the Rich family keeps their money in banks.

Richie shows up and with the aid of technological devices, gets the drop on the kidnappers. It doesn't go as well, as the Rich family is chased onto the side of the mountain, which is currently being carved into their likeness. Cadbury takes on Van Dough's associate, who is trying to use a rock blasting laser to destroy them. Van Dough is defeated with a punch, Cadbury's opponent requires many blows.

Production

The house and grounds at which Richie Rich is filmed are those of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The roller coaster in the back yard is the Iron Wolf at Six Flags Great America.

Reaction

While the movie was unsuccessful at the box office and maintains a 25% rating on RottenTomatoes.com it is still shown on occasion on T.V. Noted film critic Roger Ebert gave the film 3 out of 4 stars saying he was surprised how much he enjoyed it and though it wasn't the greatest movie, he liked that it had style and didn't go for cheap payoffs.

Connections

• In one scene Van Dough is seen watching North by Northwest. Later in the movie, a scene of North by Northwest is spoofed in the scene dealing with Mount Richmore.

External links

• Films Made in North Carolina - PDF

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