John owns the largest chain of five and ten cent stores in the country. He moves his family to New York from Kansas City and their life, though grand, is falling apart due to his constant working. Wife and mother Jenny is lonely. Son Avery hates his job. Daughter Jennifer is snubbed by classmate Muriel and her friends. At a charity bazaar, Jennifer meets Berry and sparks are evident. However, he is engaged to Muriel and Muriel will make sure that she, and only she, marries Berry. After the marriage, Berry still thinks of Jennifer as Jennifer thinks of Berry. Avery laments about the state of his family since they were happy in Kansas City.
Acting
Marion Davies proves the haters wrong — she's genuinely affecting.
Costume
Adrian's gowns for charity bazaar scenes are *chef's kiss*.
Direction
Leonard's MGM polish elevates dime-store material.
Director
Robert Z. Leonard
Marion Davies
Jennifer Rarick
Leslie Howard
Berry Rhodes
Richard Bennett
John Rarick
Irene Rich
Jenny Rarick
Douglass Montgomery
Avery Rarick
Mary Duncan
Muriel Preston
George Irving
Mr. Brooks (uncredited)
Henry Armetta
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Bill Elliott
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Carl Stockdale
Doctor at Bedside (uncredited)
Halliwell Hobbes
Hopkins (uncredited)
Theodore von Eltz
Ramon (uncredited)
Ruth Selwyn
Midge (uncredited)
William H. O'Brien
Duncan (uncredited)
Maude Turner Gordon
Dowager (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Marion Davies's comeback after the William Randolph Hearst scandals — she financed it herself through Cosmopolitan Pictures.
The 'five and ten' refers to Woolworth-style variety stores; the film was originally titled 'Rich People' until MGM got nervous.
US
