Manias de Gente Rica

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!

A nice comedic performance from Arliss as a business man, whose family has no time for him. He feigns bankruptcy to get them to stay home with him, and is surprised at how they all rally to him. The ruse brings him unexpected financial benefits as well. Warm-hearted film though playing on only one note story-wise.

Mary Astor is fine in an early sound role and the supporting cast does well all around. It's a delight watching Arliss' facial expressions, which convey more subtlety than he could have produced on stage and show him a continued master of comedic timing.

Although only a few sets are used, they are well done and up to the usual Warner Bros. standards of the early thirties.

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.

In all too many movies like this one, the family members are selfish and care little about others. As soon as Arliss's character confesses to his family that he's in financial trouble, they all jump on the bandwagon to help out. They express regret over being the cause of the problem by having spent too much money. The children love their stepmother. She, in turn, pawns her jewels to help out. While perhaps a bit corny by today's standards, this movie stands out as one that anyone who genuinely likes people could enjoy.