A wealthy industrialist tests the loyalty of his spoiled children and selfish wife by pretending to be broke.A wealthy industrialist tests the loyalty of his spoiled children and selfish wife by pretending to be broke.A wealthy industrialist tests the loyalty of his spoiled children and selfish wife by pretending to be broke.
George Arliss
- Henry Wilton
- (as Mr. George Arliss)
Harold Minjir
- Watson - Eddie's Valet
- (as Harold Minjur)
Leon Ames
- Barney Davis - Witon's Junior Associate
- (as Leon Waycoff)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe play by Clare Kummer originally opened on Broadway at the Booth Theatre on 5 February 1917, and ran for 144 performances before closing for the summer (there was no air conditioning in those days). It then reopened on 10 October 1917 at the Plymouth Theatre. The opening night cast included Katharine Alexander, William Gillette, Estelle Winwood and Roland Young.
- GoofsThe polo scenes in the early part of the film include large mountains in the background which is curious since the setting is supposed to be Long Island, NY.
- Quotes
Emmy 'Sweetie' Wilton: Weren't you naughty not to let us know you were coming a day earlier.
Featured review
Cute and heart-warming
If you liked Greedy, check out A Successful Calamity, a comedy about a millionaire who pretends to be penniless to bond with his family. George Arliss stars as the patriarch, and after a year and a half abroad, he returns home to find his family all off living the life of the rich and famous. His wife, Mary Astor, is involved with a piano prodigy, Fortunio Bonanova, and has lavish taste in modern art. His daughter, Evalyn Knapp, is set to marry a wealthy beau even though she's clearly in love with the poor, hunky Randolph Scott. His son, Hardie Albright, spends all this time with polo ponies and fast women. Only his loyal butler, Grant Mitchell, sticks by his side.
In an effort to reconnect with his family, George tells everyone he's ruined. What will happen? Will his plan backfire? You'll have to watch this movie to find out, and I highly recommend you do. It's very cute, funny, and quick. Don't turn your brain off during this movie, since finances are readily discussed. Easily imagined as Clare Kummer's original play, it's fast-paced yet calming, since family love is at the heart of the story. I'd never seen a George Arliss film before, and while he is unimpressive in his first scene, he quickly charms the audience with his wit, intelligence, and genuine affection towards the other characters. It's no wonder he was such a popular actor in the early days of cinema.
In an effort to reconnect with his family, George tells everyone he's ruined. What will happen? Will his plan backfire? You'll have to watch this movie to find out, and I highly recommend you do. It's very cute, funny, and quick. Don't turn your brain off during this movie, since finances are readily discussed. Easily imagined as Clare Kummer's original play, it's fast-paced yet calming, since family love is at the heart of the story. I'd never seen a George Arliss film before, and while he is unimpressive in his first scene, he quickly charms the audience with his wit, intelligence, and genuine affection towards the other characters. It's no wonder he was such a popular actor in the early days of cinema.
helpful•61
- HotToastyRag
- Mar 7, 2019
Details
- Runtime1 hour 12 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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Top Gap
By what name was A Successful Calamity (1932) officially released in Canada in English?
Answer