A Successful Calamity
A Successful Calamity

Movie spotlight

A Successful Calamity

1932
Movie
72 min
English

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.

Insights

Director: George StevensGenres: Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

In this dramatic comedy, a young man grapples with the consequences of his actions when his attempts to improve his family's fortunes lead to unexpected and chaotic results. He finds himself caught between societal expectations and his own desires, navigating a world where success is often measured by the chaos one can overcome. The film explores themes of ambition, family loyalty, and the often-unforeseen ripple effects of our choices.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'A Successful Calamity' received a mixed to positive reception from critics, who praised its ambitious storytelling and the performances of its lead actors. Some reviewers found the film's blend of comedy and drama to be uneven, while others lauded its unique approach to exploring the complexities of success and failure in a rapidly changing world.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film's unconventional narrative structure was noted by many critics.

  • Performances were generally seen as a strong point, particularly the youthful energy of the cast.

  • Some critics found the dramatic elements overshadowed the comedic ones, leading to a tonal imbalance.

Google audience: While specific audience reviews from the era are scarce, general sentiment from contemporary discussions suggests audiences appreciated the film's effort to tackle serious themes with a degree of levity, though some found it a bit too heavy-handed.

Fun Fact

George Stevens, the director of 'A Successful Calamity,' would go on to become a highly acclaimed director known for films like 'Shane' and 'Giant'.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review