My Man Godfrey (1936)

Director:

Gregory La Cava

Writers:

Eric Hatch (novel)
Morrie Ryskind (writer) ...

Release Date:

17 September 1936 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | Comedy

Plot:

A scatterbrained socialite hires a vagrant as a family butler...but there's more to Godfrey than meets the eye.

Plot Keywords:

Socialite | Butler | Love | Eccentric | Forgotten Man

Awards:

Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 1 win

Cast

William Powell	...	Godfrey
Carole Lombard	...	Irene Bullock
Alice Brady	...	Angelica Bullock
Gail Patrick	...	Cornelia Bullock
Eugene Pallette	...	Alexander Bullock
Jean Dixon	...	Molly
Alan Mowbray	...	Tommy Gray
Mischa Auer	...	Carlo
Pat Flaherty	...	Mike Flaherty
Robert Light	...	Faithful George

Also Known As:

Al servicio de las damas (Spain) [es]
Godfrey (France) [fr]
Godfrey järjestää kaiken (Finland) [fi]
Godfrey ordnar allt (Sweden) [sv]
Kamarieris gia oles tis douleies (Greece) (TV title) [el]
L'impareggiabile Godfrey (Italy) [it]
La porfiada Irene (Argentina) [es]
Mein Mann Gottfried (West Germany) (TV title) [de]
Mon homme Godfrey (France) [fr]
O andras mou, o alitis (Greece) [el]
Sie und der Kammerdiener (Austria) [de]

Runtime:

94 min | USA:90 min (2005 DVD release)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

UK:A (original rating) | UK:U (re-rating) (1996) | Australia:G | South Korea:15 (2003) | Finland:K-16 | USA:Unrated

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

This was the first film to ever receive four acting nominations at the Academy Awards, and it did so in the year that the supporting categories were introduced.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the Tea Party While Irene is talking to Charlie Van Rumple, in the background you see Godfrey serving Cornelia with a tray and she takes an item in each hand. A few seconds later the scene shifts to Cornelia, and Godfrey again serves her and she takes the two items again.

Quotes:

Irene: Godfrey loves me! He put me in the shower!

Movie Connections:

Featured in AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs: America's Funniest Movies (2000) (TV)

Forever enjoyable comedy

I've seen this comedy many times and never get tired of it. Saw it again today on TCM TV, and still get a kick out of it. The spoiled brats of wealthy family man, played by Eugene Pallette, have hired Mr Godfrey as their butler. Carole Lombard and Gail Patrick are the jealous sisters who contrive to win his affections. There is much clutter and romping and confusion, but it all comes out at the end. Mischa Auer plays his usually outrageously funny character. I remember what a hit it was in 1936, and heartily recommend it today!