The always charming William Powell is the title character in My Man Godfrey, a homeless man picked by a society girl to become her zany family's new butler and/or the love of her life. The romance is strictly screwball and while the "oh darling" moment typical of such films from the 30s and 40s doesn't technically come, I don't really buy it. It has an odd Frog Prince quality, but Carole Lombard's character, being just as mad as the rest of her family, never feels like an appropriate match for Powell. But as a comedy about a mysteriously competent servant picked off the street, it certainly has its charms. Each of the family members brings its own brand of insanity and challenges for Godfrey, and it's fun to see him foil them, especially Gail Patrick's Cordelia who makes a snaky, but endearing, villainess. And I like how it questions the class system too. Bit screechy at points, so I'd keep an eye on the volume.
6+/10
A real classic on 11 official film top lists, nominated for 6 Oscars - and lost them all; apparently known in film history as the only movie that did so (!).
I saw it on SVT Play in the spring of 2019 and was somewhat disappointed, expected more, but clearly worth seeing, interesting idea.
Now I'm interested in seeing the newer version from 1957.
Add your comment
Comments 1 - 9 of 9
LycraLout
Thoroughly enjoyable. All the female cast are great. Nice feelgood movie.Ivan0716
I love Carole Lombard!Siskoid
The always charming William Powell is the title character in My Man Godfrey, a homeless man picked by a society girl to become her zany family's new butler and/or the love of her life. The romance is strictly screwball and while the "oh darling" moment typical of such films from the 30s and 40s doesn't technically come, I don't really buy it. It has an odd Frog Prince quality, but Carole Lombard's character, being just as mad as the rest of her family, never feels like an appropriate match for Powell. But as a comedy about a mysteriously competent servant picked off the street, it certainly has its charms. Each of the family members brings its own brand of insanity and challenges for Godfrey, and it's fun to see him foil them, especially Gail Patrick's Cordelia who makes a snaky, but endearing, villainess. And I like how it questions the class system too. Bit screechy at points, so I'd keep an eye on the volume.boulderman
Watched again On Valentine's Day (third time in total), first time was as it was an Easter Egg in Napoleon Dynamite.:)
Still very good (some dated dialogue fyi
wowwee123
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiSjeLhg25wEmiam
6+/10A real classic on 11 official film top lists, nominated for 6 Oscars - and lost them all; apparently known in film history as the only movie that did so (!).
I saw it on SVT Play in the spring of 2019 and was somewhat disappointed, expected more, but clearly worth seeing, interesting idea.
Now I'm interested in seeing the newer version from 1957.
Zithers
700th check! great movie. very funny.Dieguito
Unlikely but kind of funnyJStein
Over rated