Molly and Me (1945)

A vivacious actress needing work becomes a housekeeper for a crusty retired politician, and gives his life the shaking-up that it needs.

Director:

Lewis Seiler

Writers:

Frances Marion (novel), Roger Burford (adaptation),

Stars:

Gracie Fields, Monty Woolley, Roddy McDowall

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gracie Fields	...	Molly Barry
Monty Woolley	...	John Graham
Roddy McDowall	...	Jimmy Graham
Reginald Gardiner	...	Harry Phillips / Peabody, the Butler
Natalie Schafer	...	Kitty Goode-Burroughs
Edith Barrett	...	Julia
Clifford Brooke	...	Pops
Aminta Dyne	...	Musette
Queenie Leonard	...	Lily
Doris Lloyd	...	Mrs. Graham
Patrick O'Moore	...	Ronnie
Lewis L. Russell	...	Sir Arthur Burroughs

Storyline

Molly, an actress desperate for work, decides to get it by "playing the part" of an experienced housekeeper. It turns out that the butler at her new household is doing the same thing. Their employer, Mr. Graham, is a retired politician who, divorced from his wife and estranged from his son, lives alone with a staff of servants. Graham's life needs shaking up and, with her enthusiasm and acting talent, Molly is just the one to help him do it when the opportunity arises.

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 October 1946 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

Comediantes de Alcova

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Frances Marion wrote parts for Marie Dressler when she discovered Ms. Dressler down on her luck and ready to accept a housekeeping job. The novel, Molly, Bless Her, the basis of this film, was Marion's view of what might have happened if Dressler had accepted a job as housemaid.

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Soundtracks

"The Sailor's Hornpipe"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played when the monkey dances
Whistled later in the picture

User Reviews

Ever wish a film were longer than it is?

What a wonderful and thoroughly entertaining film this is, this is my first experience of Gracie Fields and purchased this due to Monty Woolley being in this, suffice to say not only am I a fan Of Monty's, but Gracie's, too.

There's a good mixture of fun, laughter, slapstick, farce, singing and a terrific, entertaining cast, as well as Monty and Gracie the main cast members to stand out for me are a very young Roddy McDowall (as Monty's son) and Reginald Gardner (as the Butler), the rest of the cast are all excellent and together with me the cast were clearly having a ball too!! My one and only problem with the film is that I wish it were longer, it's only 76 minutes long and just wish it'd been at least another 10-15 minutes more, but it's always a sure sign just how much you've enjoyed a film when you think this way I guess, If you enjoyed Monty Woolley in this then please check out The Man who came to dinner with Bette Davis, it's a terrific comedy, sadly only available on Region 1 at the moment.

Good sound and picture too, I've purchased this film in the Gracie Field's silver screen collection and that version at least has no subtitles whatsoever.