Merrily We Live (1938)Dizzy society matron Emily Kilbourne has a habit of hiring ex-cons and hobos as servants. Her latest find is a handsome "tramp" who shows up at her doorstep and soon ends up in a ... See full summary » Director:Norman Z. McLeod |
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Title: Merrily We Live (1938)
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Nominated for 5 Oscars.
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Cast
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| Constance Bennett | ... | ||
| Brian Aherne | ... | ||
| Alan Mowbray | ... |
Grosvenor - Butler
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| Billie Burke | ... | ||
| Patsy Kelly | ... |
Etta
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| Ann Dvorak | ... |
Minerva Harlan
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Tom Brown | ... | |
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Clarence Kolb | ... | |
| Bonita Granville | ... | ||
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Marjorie Rambeau | ... |
Mrs. Harlan
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Phillip Reed | ... |
Herbert Wheeler
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Willie Best | ... |
George
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Sidney Bracey | ... |
2nd Butler
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Paul Everton | ... |
Senator Harlan
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Marjorie Kane | ... |
Rosa
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Dizzy society matron Emily Kilbourne has a habit of hiring ex-cons and hobos as servants. Her latest find is a handsome "tramp" who shows up at her doorstep and soon ends up in a chauffeur's uniform. He also catches the eye of her pretty Geraldine. Written by Daniel Bubbeo <dbubbeo@cmp.com>
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
4 March 1938 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Madame et son clochard See more »Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
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Mrs. Emily Kilbourne: Oh darling, everyone has a father, that's one of nature's unwritten laws.
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(1938)
Music by Phil Charig
Lyrics by Arthur Quenzer
Sung by an offscreen chorus during the opening and closing credits
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Although not credited onscreen or noted by reviewers or the SAB, this film is so similar to What a Man (same plot and even many of the same character names) that the source of the screenplay must surely be the same for both films. Both the 1924 novel "The Dark Chapter; a Comedy of Class Distinctions" by E.J. Rath and the play "They All Want Something" has been added to the writers section. The play opened on Broadway in New York City, New York, USA on 12 October 1926 and closed in December 1926 after 62 performances. See more »Quotes
Jerry Kilbourne: Maybe he didn't have a father.Mrs. Emily Kilbourne: Oh darling, everyone has a father, that's one of nature's unwritten laws.
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Crazy Credits
Behind the opening credits, the cast walks arm in arm up the driveway towards the camera. See more »Soundtracks
"Merrily We Live"(1938)
Music by Phil Charig
Lyrics by Arthur Quenzer
Sung by an offscreen chorus during the opening and closing credits
See more »
By 1938 the screwball comedy genre was dying out. That year two of the genre's best (BRINGING UP BABY and MERRILY WE LIVE) found no audience. The former is recognized as a classic but the latter has almost disappeared. After a thirty year search I finally found a copy on video and am delighted with the results.
Brian Aherne should have netted an Oscar nom for his breezy and inventive comedy performance - a gem. Billie Burke netted a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nom for her batty portrayal of the family matron. Constance Bennett is a delight as the zany daughter and Clarence Kolb is incredibly acrobatic for his age as the put upon husband and father of the group.
The film netted five Oscar noms in total: Supporting Actress, Sound, Song, Art Direction and Cinematography. Those it deserved were: Actor, Director, Art Direction and Screenplay, for my money.
This is a delight from start to finish and well worth seeking out.