My Man Godfrey (1936)

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Director:

Gregory La Cava

Writers:

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

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 | Dump | Eccentric

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
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ernie Adams	...	Forgotten man (uncredited)
Jack Chefe	...	Headwaiter (uncredited)
Elaine Cochrane	...	Socialite (uncredited)
Phyllis Crane	...	Party guest (uncredited)
Eddie Fetherston	...	Process server (uncredited)
Grace Field	...	Socialite (uncredited)
James Flavin	...	Detective #2 (uncredited)
Bess Flowers	...	Mrs. Merriweather (uncredited)
Edward Gargan	...	Detective (uncredited)
David Horsley	...	Socialite (uncredited)
Selmer Jackson	...	Blake (socialite) (uncredited)
Reginald Mason	...	Mayor Courtney (uncredited)
Philip Merrick	...	Socialite (uncredited)
Franklin Pangborn	...	Guthrie (uncredited)
Bob Perry	...	Bob (doorman) (uncredited)
Katherine Perry	...	Socialite (uncredited)
Jean Rogers	...	Girl (uncredited)
Arthur Singley	...	Clarence (uncredited)
Grady Sutton	...	Charlie Van Rumple (uncredited)
Arthur Wanzer	...	Arthur (uncredited)
Harley Wood	...	Socialite (uncredited)
Jane Wyman	...	Party guest (uncredited)

Directed by
Gregory La Cava

Writing credits
Eric Hatch		(novel)
Morrie Ryskind		(writer) &
Eric Hatch		(writer)
Gregory La Cava		uncredited
Robert Presnell Sr.		uncredited

Produced by
Gregory La Cava	....	producer
Charles R. Rogers	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Charles Previn		(uncredited)
Rudy Schrager		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Ted Tetzlaff		(photography)

Film Editing by
Ted J. Kent		(as Ted Kent)
Russell F. Schoengarth		(as Russell Schoengarth)

Art Direction by
Charles D. Hall

Costume Design by
Brymer		(uncredited)

Sound Department
Homer G. Tasker	....	sound supervisor

Special Effects by
John P. Fulton	....	special effects

Stunts
Chick Collins	....	stunts (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Travis Banton	....	gowns: Miss Lombard

Music Department
Charles Previn	....	musical director

Other crew
Kay Thackery	....	script supervisor

Production Companies

• Universal Pictures

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1936) (USA) (theatrical)
• Realart Pictures (1948) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Criterion Collection, The (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Alpha Video Distributors (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• Madacy Entertainment (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2004) (worldwide) (VHS)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD) (colorized)
• Reel Media International (2005) (worldwide) (TV)
• Reel Enterprises (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• RCV Home Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2007) (worldwide) (all media)
• Universal Pictures (1936) (Austria) (theatrical)
• Criterion Collection, The (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Critics' Choice Video (????) (USA) (DVD)
• Hollywood Classics (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Legend Films (2006) (worldwide) (DVD)
• Legend Films (2008) (USA) (DVD) (restored edition)
• Mill Creek Entertainment (????) (USA) (DVD)
• Punto Zero (2008) (Italy) (DVD)
• Quality Classics (????) (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Legend Films  colorization

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 poses dramatically]
Cornelia Bullock: Oh, I remember that pose so well. I learned it in Dramatics School. It's Number 8 isn't it?
Faithful George: Yep, that's Number 8 all right.
Cornelia Bullock: Am I spoiling your act, dear?
Irene: [under her breath to Cornelia] I'll spoil something of yours someday and it won't be your act!

Movie Connections:

References Show Boat (1936)

Excellent film to watch and re-watch

I can't add much to what others have said, but this is a wonderful film. From the very beginning (the credits are done extremely well, especially considering it was made about 70 years ago!) to the end, this is one funny/sad/satirical movie. The sets are obviously from the 30's, but the dialogue is still relevant. We have watched it four times and still catch new things. Don't miss 'minor' characters during the show--check out their facial expressions and their actions (especially Carlo).

Some versions have outtakes and other features. The outtakes aren't G-rated, so this isn't for children (who have probably heard much worse anyway, unfortunately)--but most kids might not be able to keep up with the fast-paced dialogue anyway.