Richie Rich (1960) 1

Harvey Comics Richie Rich ran from 1960 to 1991 and was the publisher’s cash cow for three decades. While his self-titled book ran 254 issues, he had over 50-separate books with his name somewhere on the cover.

Richie Rich (1960) 1

The beginnings of “The Poor Little Rich Boy” are clear, but the origins of National Dollar Day’s master of ceremonies, Dollar the dog, is not.

Our Dollar is a hybrid; not a Dalmatian, but a Dollarmation. Rather than have spots, this mutt is marked with dollar signs.

Named after founder Alfred Harvey, Harvey Comics Entertainment, was founded in 1941. In the 1950s the publishing company found its footing with characters like Sad Sack, Little Dot and Little Lotta.

For the next three decades Harvey enjoyed success, but the 1980s brought financial hardships. Enough so the company closed its doors. Harvey Comics found its properties bouncing around before HMH Communications bought the company. It was renamed Harvey Comics Entertainment. In 2001, Classic Media bought HCE and renamed it Sunland Entertainment.

In 2011 Richie Rich was updated and distributed courtesy of Ape Entertainment. He was described as, “A mix of James Bond and Indiana Jones with the bank account of Donald Trump, Richie Rich is an altruistic adventurer who travels the world helping he less fortunate.”

Rich has appeared, as has Dollar, in other media such as 1980’s Richie Rich animated series. Dollar was voiced by none other than Frank Welker. Another animated feature aired in 1996. Only 13 episodes were made.

Richie Rich hit the big screen in 1994 with Macaulay Culkin in the lead role. A live-action sequel followed in 1998 entitled Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish.

National Dollar Day commemorates the day Congress established the U.S. monetary system in 1786. The first dollar bill wasn’t manufactured till 1862. It featured Salmon P. Chase, President Lincoln’s Secretary of Treasury.

To observe this non-holiday, save a dollar, discover some interesting facts about the denomination or visit Where’s George to track your dollar’s trail to your pocket.