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Adapted from the stage and expanded beyond a simple set, "A Successful Calamity" is an enjoyable cinematic parable that illustrates---through a simple deception---that money, though it is not the root of all evil, is not the measure of true success.

George Arliss plays financier Henry Wilton who, like Odysseus, returns from his journeys to find his home in shambles---not literally, but figuratively. He devises a risky scheme to help him determine how desperate thing are.

This is a light-hearted film due to its clever script and the masterful performance of Arliss, around whom everything revolves. With nuance of voice and manner, he elevates the comedy and injects tenderness into every scene. It's a heartwarming tale that must have carried added significance during the Great Depression.

Sadly, while George Arliss was known by his colleagues as a great stage actor, the number of films he appeared in were relatively few despite his talents. In each of them I have seen, he gave a seemingly effortless and graceful performance that made me love his characters--in other words, he gave them great life and charm. Here, Arliss plays a major industrialist who spent a year abroad following WWI working for the American government. However, when he returns, he finds that his wife and grown kids are too busy to truly welcome him home and he longs for a happy family life. Then, rather by accident, he comes upon the idea of convincing the family that despite his millions, he is in fact broke. Here is where the film really comes to life. How each of these people as well as Arliss' butler react to the calamity is quite amazing--especially since the script is so magnificently written, it kept me guessing to the very end. It's not often that a film does this, as most films are rather derivative.

In addition to Arliss, Mary Astor, Grant Mitchell and the rest of the family, towards the end is a brief appearance of a very young Randolph Scott--and boy does he look young.

Lovely acting, great script writing and direction make this a wonderful comedy treat that deserves to be remembered. Watch the film then tell your friends--this one is a keeper!

George Arliss is marvelous as a successful financial agent (Henry) who suffers "A Successful Calamity" of his own creation. He has two children, Evalyn Knapp (Peggy) and William Janney (Eddie). As his character states, he wisely picked younger Mary Astor for his second wife (Emmy), after becoming a widower. You can spot Randolph Scott as polo coach, wearing a "bull's-eye" striped cap.

When this film begins, Arliss is returning home from a successful business venture; he ls looking forward to catching up with the family. However, his wife and children are caught up in polo matches and socials. Then, he announces he is financially "Ruined!" How will the family take their imminent poverty?

Mr. Arliss commands the screen in a way few actors do (Greta Garbo may be a good comparison). He uses both big and slight glances and twitches of face and body. He uses intonation of voice and is obviously aware of camera positions and continuity. Arliss is magnificent at a stuffy piano recital (watch every movement!), and delightful simply drinking tea. Also, watch how he changes his acting ever-so slightly when he tells Ms. Astor they are penniless.

"The poor don't get to go very often." is a line to watch for - first as uttered in a conversation with loyal Butler Connors (Grant Mitchell, in perhaps the best of the film's supporting performances); the scene triggers Arliss' plan. With "A Successful Calamity", Arliss has selected a role which enables a commanding performance.

********* A Successful Calamity (1932) John G. Adolfi ~ George Arliss, Mary Astor, Grant Mitchell, Evalyn Knapp

When a rich financier fears that his wife & children take him for granted, he arranges A SUCCESSFUL CALAMITY to make them believe he's lost all his money.

George Arliss, the 1930's preeminent character actor, is perfectly cast in this bit of dramatic fluff. With the lift of a sardonic eyebrow, or the twitch of an elegant finger, he is able to convey volumes of personality & emotion. Listen to how he pronounces the single word `poor' - turning it into two syllables layered with nuance - to get an idea of the quality of stagecraft at work here. It is to Hollywood's discredit that Arliss' contributions to American cinema have been in eclipse for decades.

The rest of the cast- Mary Astor as Arliss' society wife; William Janney & Evalyn Knapp as his preoccupied children; Hardie Albright as a social twit; Grant Mitchell as Arliss' faithful butler; Hale Hamilton as his business manager; Helena Phillips as a frantic cook; and Randolph Scott as a polo captain - do very well with their roles. But it is George Arliss that captures and holds the attention of the grateful viewer.

The second of two films George Arliss & Mary Astor made together (the first was Man who played God, 1922). Successful stock market businessman Henry Wilton returns home to find his house in full turmoil - his wife is entertaining, and his dashing, perfect kids are busy with their lives and loves. Even when his business dealings start going bad, Wilton cracks jokes that no-one else seems to hear. When he can't get time alone with his wife, he devises a scheme to have more time alone with her. and... just like on I Love Lucy, his scheme backfires. Surprisingly good quality sound and photography for 1932. It was just post-silents, and you can still see a lot of black facial features make up on Arliss and others. Viewers will recognize Grant Mitchell as Connors, Mr. Wilton's butler, who appeared in tons of films, usually as a stern, serious leader. Fun plot involves the stock market, which is a little surprising, so soon after the stock market crash of 1929, but as someone has previously noted, the original play was written and presented in 1917.