You are here:

The Idle Rich

Name: The Idle Rich
Director: William C. deMille
Released: 1929
Duration: 80 min

Representation Score

2.1/10

Limited

1929

Passed

Director

William C. deMille

Runtime

80 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Idle Rich is a product of the 1929 studio system, prioritizing traditional social comedy over progressive representation. The narrative relies heavily on conventional romantic plots and class-based humor, limiting its multi-layered depth. While the film touches on class tensions, it does so through a lens that preserves existing social hierarchies. The lack of racial, ethnic, or LGBTQ+ diversity reflects the demographic homogeneity of mainstream cinema during this era. Ultimately, the film functions as a standard social comedy, focusing on the preservation of class dignity and conventional romantic clichés rather than challenging systemic institutions.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Idle Rich have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows a typical romantic storyline between a millionaire and his secretary, with no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex relationships.

How does The Idle Rich portray gender?

Fair

The plot revolves around a romantic relationship where the male character leads the resolution. Joan Thayer transitions from being an employee to a wife, but the film adheres to traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Idle Rich?

Limited

The story focuses on class differences within a seemingly uniform social structure. There is no indication of a diverse cast or the inclusion of non-Anglo-Saxon characters.

How does The Idle Rich represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story explores class conflict between the wealthy and the middle class, critiquing class boundaries through comedy. However, it ultimately upholds existing social hierarchies and traditional social mobility.

Does The Idle Rich include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or invisible disabilities portrayed in the film. No information is available to assess this category.

Present on Screen

The film offers a comedic exploration of class friction and the tensions between the wealthy and the middle class.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks racial and ethnic diversity, reflecting a homogeneous social structure.
The film adheres to traditional gender roles, with the male protagonist driving the central plot resolution.
There is a complete absence of LGBTQ+ representation or non-straight-centered identities.

Official Synopsis

Millionaire William van Luyn falls in love with his secretary Joan Thayer and marries her. Her family, part of "the great middle class" (as blowhard nephew Henry keeps reminding us), is happy for Joan, but reluctant to take charity from Will. He moves in with them, and they keep resisting, until one day he takes drastic action.

How are these scores produced? →