A Successful Failure

A Successful Failure is a 1934 American film directed by Arthur Lubin.

Plot

Ellery Cushing (William Collier Sr.) has trouble at home, and at work. When he is fired, from the newspaper, where he’s worked for fifteen years, his friend Phil (Russell Hopton) quits too, outraged.

Together, they work from their “office”, on a park bench; until, Phil can get Ellery a try-out, on a radio spot, as “Uncle Dudley”. The character is a big hit, with his folksy witticisms.

Meanwhile, at home, Ma, Mrs. Cushing (Lucile Gleason), has her hands full their daughter, Ruth (Gloria Shea), who has spurned Phil’s attentions for an aging Lothario, Jerry (Jameson Thomas). While their oldest son, Robert (William Janney), after turning down a job, has got mixed up with some “Red” rabble-rousers, in the park.

Only their youngest son, Tommy (George P. Breakston), manages to stay out of trouble, doing his homework; and, thinks their Dad is alright; even better than “that guy on the radio”, who they don’t know is their Father.

It’s only after “Uncle Dudley” gets a concussion, after being hit with a brick, quelling a riot of “Reds”, in the park; that his family begin to value his worth; and, Phil’s; if they all live to appreciate it.

Cast

• William Collier Sr. as Ellery Cushing aka Uncle Dudley
• Lucile Gleason as Mrs. Cushing
• Russell Hopton as Phil Stardon
• George P. Breakston as Tommy Cushing
• William Janney as Robert Cushing
• Gloria Shea as Ruth Cushing
• Clarence Wilson as H.T. Flintly, News Record Editor
• Jameson Thomas as Jerry Franklin, Ruth's Beau
• Richard Tucker as J.W. Blair, Atlas Broadcasting

Trivia

There is no connection between the fictional radio personality "Uncle Dudley" in this film, and the 1935 comedy film Your Uncle Dudley, with Edward Everett Horton.^[1]

This film is based on the short story,"Your Uncle William" by Michael Kane, published in The Saturday Evening Post.^[2]

References

External links

• A Successful Failure at the Internet Movie Database
• A Successful Failure is available for free download at the Internet Archive [more]

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