Dwight Dawson, who runs an unsuccessful success school, stages a contest to find the biggest failure in the USA, for publicity value when the "dope" takes his course. But winner Tad Page is contented with his idle, lazy life and threatens to convert Dawson's other students to his philosophy. Dawson captalizes on Tad's attraction to Claire Harris to win him over; but will Tad find out Claire is really engaged to Dawson?
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Henry FondaThadeus Winship 'Tad' Page | Thadeus Winship 'Tad' Page |
 Lynn BariClaire Harris | Claire Harris |
 Don AmecheDwight Dawson | Dwight Dawson |
 Edward Everett HortonHorace Hunter | Horace Hunter |
 George BarbierJames Roger Barker | James Roger Barker |
 Frank OrthMessenger | Messenger |
| RRoseanne MurrayDawson's Secretary | Dawson's Secretary |
 Marietta CantyJenny | Jenny |
 Hobart CavanaughAlbert Gowdy | Albert Gowdy |
 Hal K. DawsonCharlie | Charlie |
 Josephine WhittellMrs. Hunter | Mrs. Hunter |
 Arthur LoftMr. Morton, Fire Engine Salesman | Mr. Morton, Fire Engine Salesman |
 Paul StantonPeters | Peters |
 Claire Du BreyPeter's Secretary | Peter's Secretary |
 William B. DavidsonMr. Reindel | Mr. Reindel |
 Harry HaydenMitchell | Mitchell |
 Pierre WatkinCarson | Carson |
 Bess FlowersBirthday Party Guest (uncredited) | Birthday Party Guest (uncredited) |
 Byron FoulgerFifth Man to Leave Class (uncredited) | Fifth Man to Leave Class (uncredited) |
 Charles TrowbridgeExamining Doctor (uncredited) | Examining Doctor (uncredited) |