Richie Rich (film) (Johnsonverse)

Richie Rich is a 1977 American comedy-drama film directed by Sheldon Johnson, based on the comic book series of the same name produced by Harvey Comics. It stars Brandon Cruz as the title character, Melissa Gilbert, Robert Downey, Jr., John Cleese, Rene Auberjonois, Florence Henderson, and Harry Dean Stanton. The film follows Richie, who must get his parents' fortune back after it was lost in an elaborate heist conducted by real estate mogul Lawrence Van Dough and his son Reggie.

The film was released by Johnson Studios on December 20, 1977, and was praised for its adherence to the comics, as well as its acting, direction and effects. Auberjonois would reprise the role of Richard in the animated series from its 1993 debut until his death in 2019.

Plot
Richie Rich (Brandon Cruz) is a 12-year-old boy. He is the heir to the Rich fortune and the only son of Richard (Rene Auberjonois) and Regina Rich (Florence Henderson). He has a girlfriend, Gloria Glad (Melissa Gilbert), and best friends in Freckles (Sheldon Johnson, Jr.) and Pee-Wee Friendly (Eli Nelson). His rival in school is Reggie Van Dough (Robert Downey, Jr.), and another friend in Mayda Munny (Melissa Sue Anderson), who wants to take Richie's heart from Gloria.

One night, Reggie's father Lawrence (Harry Dean Stanton) comes to the Rich mansion. He meets Cadbury (John Cleese), Irona, Chef Pierre, Professor Keenbean, and Bascomb. While this happens, large trucks head to the Rich vaults, and several people come out to blow up the vault doors and steal all their contents; money, gold coins, jewelry, as well as deeds to every piece of real estate the Rich family owns.

Music
The music score was done by Cal Johnson and the Johnson Philharmonic Orchestra.