A Successful Calamity
1932, English. Directed by John G. Adolfi.
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!
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.
- Runtime
- 1h 12m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
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Where to watch A Successful Calamity
A Successful Calamity isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 17 September 1932.
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Cast & crew
- John G. AdolfiDirector
- George ArlissHenry Wilton
- Mary AstorEmmy 'Sweetie' Wilton
- Evalyn KnappPeggy Wilton
- Grant MitchellConnors
- William JanneyEddie Wilton
- David TorrencePartington
- Hardie AlbrightGeorge Struthers
- Randolph ScottLarry Rivers
- Hale HamiltonJohn Belde
- Fortunio BonanovaPietro Rafaelo
- Oscar ApfelPresident of the United States
- Leon AmesBarney Davis
Details
- Released
- 17 September 1932
- Country
- United States of America
- Written by
- Clare Kummer, Julien Josephson, Maude T. Howell
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News & fan talk
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A Successful Calamity: quick answers
Is A Successful Calamity worth watching?
A Successful Calamity doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is A Successful Calamity?
A Successful Calamity runs 72 minutes (1h 12m).
Does A Successful Calamity have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for A Successful Calamity. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
A Successful Calamity parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
A Successful Calamity is rated NR in India. Check the rating guidance before watching with young children.
Which OTT platform is A Successful Calamity on?
A Successful Calamity isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 17 September 1932. (Checked 10 November 2026.)
What movies are like A Successful Calamity?
If you liked A Successful Calamity, try Madea Goes to Jail - The Play, Chloe and Theo, Don't Think Twice.
Who directed A Successful Calamity?
A Successful Calamity (1932) was directed by John G. Adolfi and stars George Arliss, Mary Astor, Evalyn Knapp.