Rent My Man Godfrey (1936)
3.8 of 5 from 126 ratings
1h 30min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Carole Lombard and William Powell dazzle in this definitive screwball comedy by Gregory La Cava - a potent cocktail of romantic repartee and social critique. Irene (Lombard), an eccentric, wealthy Manhattanite, wins a society-ball scavenger hunt after finding a "forgotten man" (Powell) - an apparent down-and-out drifter - at a dump. She gives him work as the family butler and soon falls head over heels for him. Her attempts to both woo Godfrey and indoctrinate him in the household's dysfunction make for a string of madcap high jinks that has never been bested.
- Actors:
- William Powell, Carole Lombard, Alice Brady, Gail Patrick, Eugene Pallette, Jean Dixon, Alan Mowbray, Mischa Auer, Pat Flaherty, Robert Light, Ernie Adams, Jimmy Aye, James Carlisle, Jack Chefe, Elaine Cochrane, Phyllis Crane, Eddie Fetherston, Grace Field, James Flavin, Bess Flowers
- Directors:
- Gregory La Cava
- Producers:
- Charles R. Rogers
- Writers:
- Morrie Ryskind, Eric Hatch, Zoe Akins, Gregory La Cava, Robert Presnell Sr
- Others:
- Morris Ryskind
- Studio:
- GMVS Entertainment
- Genres:
- Classics, Comedy, Romance
- Collections:
- 10 Films to Watch If You Like Gosford Park, 10 Films to Watch if You Like Rebecca, 10 Films to Watch if You Like To Be or Not to Be, Films to Watch If You Like..., Top 100 AFI Laughs, Top Films, What to Watch Next If You Liked Nomadland
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 17/09/2018
- Run Time:
- 93 minutes
- Languages:
- English LPCM Mono
- Subtitles:
- None
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Full Screen 1.33:1 / 4:3
- Colour:
- B & W
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- New interview with critic Nick Pinkerton on director Gregory La Cava
- Outtakes
- Lux Radio Theatre adaptation of the film from 1938
- Newsreels depicting Great Depression class divides
- An essay by critic Farran Smith Nehme
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Reviews (2) of My Man Godfrey
Classic Screwball - My Man Godfrey review by Steve
Some bright young things are on a scavenger hunt among the homeless of New York. A ditzy socialite (Carole Lombard) explains this 'is like a treasure hunt, except... in a scavenger hunt you find something that nobody wants'. She attaches herself to 'forgotten man' Godfrey (William Powell) in the most cynical meet-cute in pictures.
He becomes the butler to her anarchic family. The father (Eugene Palette) earns big in the stock exchange, but his dependents spend it bigger; his idiot wife (Alice Faye) and her freeloading protege (Mischa Auer, who is hilarious). The girl has a dangerous sister (Gail Patrick), who has the potential for the kind of political extremism sweeping Europe.
The butler survives the family, and inevitably saves them, teaching them humility and (by implication) the value of Roosevelt's new deal. Powell is sensational; charming, with an underlying dignity which is never tarnished no matter how reduced his circumstances: 'The only difference between a derelict and a man is a job'.
It is a romantic comedy, and Powell and crazy Carole are adorable as a very odd couple. It is funny, and it is heartbreaking and it is also about the political dangers of the depression. It is a classic example of how skilled '30s screwball got at reflecting America back to itself.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Brilliant 1936 Screwball Comedy based on a novel, Best US Comedy I have seen for Ages - My Man Godfrey review by PV
I loved this. How can a 1936 film be better than any new film this year? But it is.
From a novel by Eric Hatch called '1101 Park Avenue,'.
GREAT characters, really memorable, esp the obese father - he is great and VERY patient. Some madcap characters too, some Italian who eats so much but stays thin and who thinks he is an artist, 2 spoilt rich daughters.
Social commentary within this, however romanticised (so is Oliver Twist though).
I LOVED it.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.