Prosperity (1932)

Writers:

Sylvia Thalberg (story) and
Frank Butler (story) ...

Release Date:

18 November 1932 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

In 1925, John becomes President of the prosperous Warren Bank when Maggie retires. Six years later, John...

Plot Keywords:

Mother Son Relationship | Dog | Gun | Auction | Christmas

Cast

Marie Dressler	...	Maggie Warren
Polly Moran	...	Lizzie Praskins
Anita Page	...	Helen Praskins Warren
Norman Foster	...	John Warren
John Miljan	...	Holland
Jackie Lyn Dufton	...	Cissy Warren (as Jacquie Lyn)
Jerry Tucker	...	Buster Warren
Charles Giblyn	...	Mayor
Frank Darien	...	Erza Higgins
Henry Armetta	...	Henry, a Barber
John Roche	...	Knapp, Holland's Cohort

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Passed

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Quotes:

Buster Warren: Can I have my hair cut, too?
Lizzie Praskins: No, you can *not*. It would break my heart to see that lovely hair cut.
John Warren: Well, he's getting pretty big for curls.
Maggie Warren: If I had my way, I'd have the clippers on him.
Buster Warren: Would you grandma?
Lizzie Praskins: Well, you haven't got your say-so.
John Warren: You're telling us.
Helen Praskins Warren: Anyway, we don't have to settle it now.
Maggie Warren: No, any time before he goes to college.

Soundtrack:

Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride)

Happy Days Are Here Again

In 1925, childhood friends Marie Dressler (as Maggie Warren) and Polly Moran (as Lizzie Praskins) oversee the wedding of their children, Anita Page (as Helen) and Norman Foster (as John). Before the celebration, Ms. Dressler turns the reigns of her small town bank over to her son, Mr. Foster. Six years later, the Great Depression brings many bank closures, and financial insecurity. Banker Foster is able to survive, due to mother Dressler's wise planning. But, Ms. Moran is worried about her fortune, and loudly demands a complete withdrawal. Other "Warren Bank" customers hear Moran's rant, and start questioning their own solvency. Soon, the family is in financial crisis.

Dressler's huge critical and financial film hit "Emma" had been released early in the year, and MGM had to have wanted to get a new Dressler film out as soon as possible. Dressler's 1931 hits, "Reducing" and "Politics" were still making a lot of money; and, Dressler had become 1932's US #1 Box Office Star, according to the industry standard list, compiled by Quigley Publications. "Prosperity" certainly celebrated Dressler's status, but the production appears uncharacteristically sloppy, and rushed. The cast does well, considering. Some more care in direction and editing, and some retakes, would have helped… apparently, they needed it in theaters for the holidays.

**** Prosperity (11/12/32) Sam Wood ~ Marie Dressler, Polly Moran, Anita Page, Norman Foster