Saturday, August 03, 2019

Movie review - "A Successful Failure" (1934) *1/2

Arthur Lubin's debut feature is a hard slog. We've all got to start somewhere. The basic set up is okay  -it's about a family of some old codger and they think he's useless and he kind of is. He's a reporter and is forever poor which is interesting, so they're frustrated. Mum is sick of doing all the world which is relatable, the daughter doesn't mean to be poor which is relatable, the son is upset at the way of the world which is relatable. Of course they all learn their lesson. The daughter dumps the ugly old reporter boyfriend who is a mate of her father's and goes out with some smooth talk - dad cock blocks her. The son takes part in  communist rally - dad turns up and spouts some "it's alright" stuff and then is injured; I think a heart attack. His whiny son thinks he's cool

Look this sort of codswallop can work with the right cast - Lionel Barrymore or Wallace Beery or something. Cecil Kellaway made a film with a plot like this in Mr Chedworth Steps Out. The cast here are all akward  -William Collier is the old fart who craps on, even winding up on radio. Russell Hopton is too unattractive for the male lead ditto Gloria Shea for the daughter.

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