A Successful Calamity
“WITH A SNAP OF HIS FINGERS HE THROWS MILLIONS AWAY BECAUSE HE WANTED LAUGHS! He turned from a human check book into a human being and taught his family to laugh!”
Synopsis
Henry Wilton is an elderly millionaire saddled with his selfish young second wife Emmy 'Sweetie' Wilton and a pair of spoiled grown children, Peggy and Eddie. To test his family's mettle, Henry pretends to have gone broke. Just as he suspected they would, his children rally to their father's side and change their ways: Peggy forsakes the fortune hunter George Struthers for the nice young man she's really in love with, the polo coach Larry Rivers, while Eddie applies for a demanding job and performs admirably. Only Sweetie seems to desert Henry.
Top Cast
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George Arliss
Henry Wilton
Mary Astor
Emmy 'Sweetie' Wilton
Evalyn Knapp
Peggy Wilton
Grant Mitchell
Connors
William Janney
Eddie Wilton
David Torrence
Partington
Hardie Albright
George Struthers
Randolph Scott
Larry Rivers
Hale Hamilton
John Belde
Fortunio Bonanova
Pietro Rafaelo
Oscar Apfel
President of the United States
Leon Ames
Barney Davis
Elspeth Dudgeon
Musicale Guest (uncredited)
Allan Lane
Polo Player (uncredited)
Claire McDowell
Struthers' Secretary (uncredited)
Murray Kinnell
Alfred Curtis - The Broker
Harold Minjir
Watson - Eddie's Valet (as Harold Minjur)
Barbara Leonard
Pauline - The French Maid
Release History & Theatrical Window
September 17, 1932
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- John G. Adolfi
- Screenplay & Story
- Clare Kummer, Julien Josephson, Maude T. Howell, Austin Parker
- Original Score
- Bernhard Kaun
- Original Title
- A Successful Calamity
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 12m
- Production Studios
- The Vitaphone Corporation, Warner Bros. Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
John G. Adolfi
Clare Kummer, Julien Josephson, Maude T. Howell, Austin Parker
Bernhard Kaun
James Van Trees
Howard Bretherton
Lucien Hubbard
Department Leadership Roster
Clare Kummer
Writer
John G. Adolfi
Director
Julien Josephson
Writer
Maude T. Howell
Writer
Howard Bretherton
Editor
Anton Grot
Production Design
Austin Parker
Writer
Lucien Hubbard
Producer
James Van Trees
Director of Photography
Bernhard Kaun
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for A Successful Calamity.
Featured In Curated Collections
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Pre-Code Hollywood
Pre-Code Hollywood films, 1929 to 1934.
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Frequently Asked Questions About A Successful Calamity
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is A Successful Calamity about?
Henry Wilton is an elderly millionaire saddled with his selfish young second wife Emmy 'Sweetie' Wilton and a pair of spoiled grown children, Peggy and Eddie. To test his family's mettle, Henry pretends to have gone broke. Just as he suspected they would, his children rally to their father's side and change their ways: Peggy forsakes the fortune hunter George Struthers for the nice young man she's really in love with, the polo coach Larry Rivers, while Eddie applies for a demanding job and performs admirably. Only Sweetie seems to desert Henry.
Who directed A Successful Calamity?
A Successful Calamity was directed by John G. Adolfi.
Who stars in A Successful Calamity?
The principal cast of A Successful Calamity includes George Arliss, Mary Astor, Evalyn Knapp, Grant Mitchell, William Janney.
When was A Successful Calamity released and how long is it?
A Successful Calamity was released in 1932 with a total runtime of 1h 12m.
Who composed the musical score for A Successful Calamity?
The original motion picture soundtrack for A Successful Calamity was composed by Bernhard Kaun.
What is the age rating and content advisory for A Successful Calamity?
A Successful Calamity holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).