Calm Yourself

Calm Yourself

Year: 1935

Runtime: 70 mins

Language: English

Director: George B. Seitz

RomanceComedy

Produced by Metro‑Goldwyn‑Mayer’s Laugh Riot division, the story follows a recently‑fired advertising executive who launches his own firm, Confidential Services, dedicating it to resolving clients’ most unusual and problematic situations with a comedic twist. His knack for creative persuasion and willingness to bend conventions draws him into a succession of oddball cases, each demanding inventive, off‑beat solutions while lampooning the quirks of the business world.

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Timeline & Setting – Calm Yourself (1935)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Calm Yourself (1935). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1908

The narrative references 1908 as the era when Confidential Services Incorporated claims to have been founded, placing the events in the early 20th century. The period features early advertising schemes, formal attire, and a social climate ripe for comedic manipulation. The atmosphere blends emerging modern business with classic stage farce.

Location

New York City

The story unfolds in New York City at the turn of the century, with busy offices, trains, and bustling streets as the backdrop. It highlights the city’s fast pace and social hustle, which amplify the farcical schemes Patton hatches. The urban setting anchors the comedy as characters dart between offices, trains, and apartments in pursuit of calm.

🗽 New York City 🏙️ Urban 🗺️ 1900s setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:49

Main Characters – Calm Yourself (1935)

Meet the key characters of Calm Yourself (1935), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Preston 'Pat' Patton (Robert Young)

A fired advertising executive who launches Confidential Services Incorporated and becomes its sole operator. He thrives on improvisation, using misdirection and impersonations to keep clients calm while chasing a romantic outcome. His charm and nerve propel the farce, even as his schemes threaten to unravel.

🎯 Protagonist 🧠 Clever 😂 Comedic

Rosalind Rockwell (Madge Evans)

Daughter of Kenneth S. Rockwell, she arrives in New York and gets swept up in Patton’s elaborate plans. She is pragmatic, curious, and gradually drawn to Patton, providing emotional balance to the plot’s chaos. Her interactions drive the central relationship arc.

💘 Romantic lead 🧭 Grounded 🗝️ Key figure

Col. Allenby (Claude Gillingwater)

A stern, irascible authority figure who clashes with Patton. His rigid demeanor triggers much of the conflict, forcing Patton to improvise to keep the situation from spiraling out of control.

⚔️ Authority 🧱 Antagonist 🛡️ Strict

Mary Elizabeth Allenby (Betty Furness)

Col. Allenby’s jealous daughter who becomes entangled in the social dynamics surrounding Patton. Her reactions heighten misunderstandings while adding a layer of romantic tension to the farce.

💌 Romantic foil 🧭 Socialite 🕊️ Tension

Kenneth S. Rockwell (Ralph Morgan)

A banker with a complicated history with Rosalind’s family. He navigates between suspicion and affable warmth, driving the plot’s family and financial subplots as the farce unfolds.

💼 Banker 🧭 Strategic 🗝️ Family

Mr. Lansell (Charles Trowbridge)

A formal, influential figure in the Lansell circle whose presence underscores the era’s etiquette and power dynamics. He serves as a counterpoint to Patton’s improvisational flair.

🎩 Society ⚖️ Authority

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:49

Major Themes – Calm Yourself (1935)

Explore the central themes of Calm Yourself (1935), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Deception

Preston Patton’s scheme hinges on disguises, misdirection, and role-swapping, which snowball into a web of misunderstandings. The plot leans on mistaken identities and comic escalations that blur truth and fiction. The comedy critiques how easy it is to calm others through clever deceit in a bustling city.

💘 Romance

Amid the chaos, a romance blossoms between Patton and Rosalind, offering warmth amid farce. Their attraction survives the lies and social tensions, gradually resolving in a hopeful embrace. The romance provides a human center to the film’s high-energy antics.

💼 Entrepreneurship

The movie parodies early entrepreneurial culture by following a one-person service empire that claims to calm clients. Patton’s marketing ingenuity, rather than traditional problem-solving, drives the narrative’s drive and humor. It’s a playful look at how business ideas take off in a crowded urban landscape.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:49

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Calm Yourself Summary

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Calm Yourself Summary

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Calm Yourself Timeline

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Calm Yourself (1935) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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Calm Yourself (1935) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow