My Man Godfrey (1936)

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 | 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
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:

When "My Man Godfrey" was adapted and broadcast as an episode of the Lux Radio Theater on May 9, 1938, David Niven portrayed Tommy Gray. Niven would later star in the remake, My Man Godfrey (1957).

Goofs:

Continuity: Godfrey is placing roses in a vase while ignoring Irene. In one shot, he has already placed five stems in the vase. The camera cuts away to the rest of the cast but when Godfrey is seen again, there is only one rose in the vase.

Quotes:

Detective: Just a minute, sister!
Molly: If I thought that were true, I'd disown my parents.
Detective: [chuckles] So you got a passion for jewelry, huh?
Molly: Yes... I got a passion for socking cops.
Detective: Where are they?
Molly: Most of them are in cemeteries.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Native Son (1986)

The 1st movie Oscar nominated in all 4 acting category.

Why it did not receive a Best Picture nomination is a mystery to me. This is an excellent screwball comedy with a sane & socially conscious message. Although the whole cast is flawless, I would give a slight edge to Alice Brady. She did not win the Oscar in 36, but did win in 37 for "In Old Chicago". She had one of the best lines in the movie when speaking to one of her daughters 'It took me all these years to realize insanity runs on your father's side'. Eugene Pallete is excellent as the father & should also have been nominated. This is the only movie I can remember watching with Carole Lombard & she illuminates the screen in every scence. A must! 10/10