My Man Godfrey is a 1936 movie that shows how to perfectly combine screwball comedy, superb dialogue and social commentary into one brilliant, seamless whole. Directed by Gregory La Cava, it overcomes the problems of a rather annoying female character and an ending that you can’t quite make up your mind whether you like or not (at least, I couldn’t) to be overall a superb movie.

The film starts with a very strange event - a rich socialite woman (Angelica Bullock [Alice Brady]) goes to a city dump on a “scavenger hunt”. This involves senseless rich people finding various objects and bringing them back to win the respect and admiration of their peers, and at the end of the night any money left over after all the drinking etc will be donated to charity - though there never is anything actually left over. The last item being looked for on this night is a “forgotten man”, of which there are many in the city dump. Upon finding one (Godfrey [William Powell]), Angelica offers him $5 to come with her and be paraded around. He not only refuses but dumps her in the trash, mush to the enjoyment of Angelica’s sister (Irene Bullock [Carole Lombard]). Godfrey then decides to accompany Irene to the Scavenger Hunt so that he can see for his own eyes how these senseless people pass the time. He tells them as much too, which doesn’t go down too well - but Irene takes a shine to him and he ends up as their butler - and, in Irene’s eyes, her very own protégé.

Our man Godfrey finds that he has entered into service with the most dysfunctional family on the planet (they make the Simpsons look worryingly normal). The father, Alexander [Eugene Pallette] constantly despairs at his daughters impropriety (and the state of the family’s finances), while his wife Cornelia [Gail Patrick] is a whole suit short of a full pack. Her protégé, Carlo [Mischa Auer] seems to have aspirations of becoming a singer of some kind, but mainly seems to eat everything in site. The scenes with the whole family together are just insane, and those with Alexander, Cornelia and Carlo are always funny.

Of course Angelica isn’t too happy to have Godfrey working there and does everything in her power to make his life miserable. However, Godfrey puts up with it all, somewhat bemused, but with great dignity and integrity, even when Irene is busy throwing herself at him and then getting engaged the next minute, and the otherwise laconic maid Molly [Jean Dixon] going all soft on him as well. He keeps himself to himself and seems to have an education, understanding and ambition far outweighing his humble origins at the city dump. Then one day a friend of the family, Tommy Gray [Alan Mowbray] is invited to a party at the house and recognises Godfrey - but thinks his being a butler must be a joke. Much intrigue ensues…

I’ve probably given away a little more of the plot than usual there, but that shouldn’t matter too much as the plot isn’t really the important thing here. The dialogue is superb throughout, and is the basis for most of the humour. There is some sparkling banter between the various characters, especially the long-suffering Alexander. Eugene Pallette throws himself into the role body and soul, and his delivery is wonderful. An example of his character’s wry humour is found early in the film, while he is an unwilling spectator to the undignified Scavenger Hunt:

Blake: Take a look at the dizzy old gal with the goat.
Alexander Bullock: I've had to look at her for 20 years - that's MRS. Bullock!
Blake: I'm terribly sorry!
Alexander Bullock: How do you think I feel?

Mr Bullock isn’t too keen on Carlo, either:

Angelica Bullock: What happened, what did you say to Carlo?
Alexander Bullock: I said goodbye.
Angelica Bullock: Did he go?
Alexander Bullock: Yes he left very hurriedly through the side window

Later on:

Detective: No wisecracks. Is that your son? (pointing to Carlo)
Alexander Bullock: That? Say, listen. I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, but I'll be hanged if I'll plead guilty to that!

He hasn’t got the monopoly on funny lines though - Molly the maid has quite a few good lines, and being the only sensible female character in the whole movie, she has to make the most of them:

Godfrey: May I be frank?
Molly: Is that your name?
Godfrey: No, my name is Godfrey.
Molly: All right, be Frank.

Much of the film’s greatness rests on the shoulders of William Powell in the lead part. Surrounded by insanity and stupidity, he has to hold his own as a man of great dignity and strength of character. He manages this admirably, and while he has a few humorous lines, it’s his summing up of the characteristics of those around him that are the most memorable. It’s a story of finding redemption in the most unlikely of places, and it works terrifically well in that respect. Godfrey is a believable character and his past is also plausible enough to pass muster. All in all, Powell gives a tremendous performance.

On the other hand, Carole Lombard is rather irritating as Irene. Her character has just about enough endearing qualities for us to continue to sympathise with her, but she’s still annoying (not as annoying as in Mr & Mrs Smith admittedly - I felt like strangling her in that!). Still, even she’s funny on several occasions and the end, while I’m not quite sure about it, has a really surreal quality that somehow makes you believe it even though it’s preposterous.

The DVD print of the copy I had was quite good for visual quality. The sound was not quite so good, and it became a little difficult to work out what was going on in some scenes - however, since they were scenes in which many people were talking at once and it was meant to be a little confusing anyway, this wasn’t really a problem. There certainly weren’t any problems with the quality to get in the way of enjoying this film. There were no DVD extras, which is fine by me. The DVD is rated 12 (this UK rating means that it should only be viewed by those over 12 or accompanied by an adult), which is absolutely ridiculous - there is nothing even remotely offensive in this film. It's probably true that younger ones may find it too boring, but why this wasn't rated "U" I have no idea.

Overall, I very highly recommend My Man Godfrey to anyone who likes dialogue-driven comedies - it’s a classic example of the genre. It also has a nice social satire element that gets its point across in a way that actually adds to the film rather than detracting from it. William Hart is an actor I’m not really familiar with, but on this evidence I’ll certainly be looking out for more of his films. And Eugene Pallette's films too, for that matter.

My Man Godfrey was nominated for 6 Oscars (Best Actor/Actress/Supporting Actor/Supporting Actress/Director/Writing, Screenplay).



Another old movie I’ve seen recently and really enjoyed was the 1944 film Double Indemnity, starring Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck and Edward G. Robinson. It’s a thriller based on an insurance scam that involves murder - the tension and atmosphere created by this film is really quite amazing.

Yes, more evidence that I’m getting old… I’m starting to enjoy black and white films more and more…


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD