Performance & Direction: The Idle Rich Review
Last updated: January 25, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Idle Rich (1929) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Idle Rich features a noteworthy lineup led by Conrad Nagel . Supported by the likes of Bessie Love and Leila Hyams , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Idle Rich (1929) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.8/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Story & Plot Summary: The Idle Rich
Quick Plot Summary: The Idle Rich is a Comedy film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Idle Rich
Ending Breakdown: The Idle Rich attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Idle Rich reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Idle Rich?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Idle Rich
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Idle Rich Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV Store
Fandango At HomeThe Idle Rich Parents Guide & Age Rating
1929 AdvisoryWondering about The Idle Rich age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Idle Rich is 80 minutes (1h 20m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.8/10, and global performance metrics, The Idle Rich is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1929 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Idle Rich worth watching?
The Idle Rich is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.8/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Idle Rich parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Idle Rich identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Idle Rich?
The total duration of The Idle Rich is 80 minutes, which is approximately 1h 20m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Idle Rich
Conrad Nagel is a millionaire who falls in love with his secretary "Joan" (Leila Hyams) and they agree to marry. Thing is, she comes from a determinedly independent middle class family who, whilst happy for their daughter, steadfastly refuse to let him help them. Undaunted, he agrees to move into the home she shares with her parents, siblings - and her rather vocal cousin "Harry" (Robert Ober) who is constantly sparring with his new in-law. In frustration, he declares that he is going to set up a hospital for the under-respected white collar worker and gave away the rest of his fortune.. How will the family react to this magnanimity...? It's quite a fun story, this - Nagel and Ober have some quite enjoyable spats; with the former clearly trying to keep his temper, before a denouement that isn't entirely unexpected. The production is a bit hemmed in, largely set in just their one room - but the audio is worth sacrificing space for, and Wiliam de Mille (older brother of Cecil) keeps the pace from slackening quite well for 80 minutes.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
