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Title: My Man Godfrey (1936)
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Edit
Cast
| Complete credited 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 | |
Edit
Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
See All (42) »
Storyline
In the depths of the Depression, a party game brings dizzy socialite Irene Bullock to the city dump where she meets Godfrey, a derelict, and ends by hiring him as family butler. He finds the Bullocks to be the epitome of idle rich, and nutty as the proverbial fruitcake. Soon, the dramatizing Irene is in love with her 'protege'...who feels strongly that a romance between servant and employer is out of place, regardless of that servant's mysterious past... Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
Plot Keywords:
butler | class differences | great depression | homelessness | based on novel |Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
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Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
6 September 1936 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Al servicio de las damas See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$656,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (DVD)Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Noiseless Recording Electric)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
Edit
Carlo: Ochi Chornya... Ochi Chornya... Ochi Chornya!
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The first film to receive an Oscar nomination in each acting category: Carole Lombard for best actress, William Powell for best actor, Alice Brady for supporting actress, and Mischa Auer for supporting actor. See more »Goofs
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. See more »Quotes
[Repeated line, whenever Carlo plays the piano and sings]Carlo: Ochi Chornya... Ochi Chornya... Ochi Chornya!
See more »
Crazy Credits
The opening credits features a darkened city skyline and the names of the cast and crew appear as the camera pans across lighted billboards and neon signs. See more »Alternate Versions
Also available in a computer-colorized version. See more »Contribute to This Page
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The great depression of the 30s, in a way, created inequality in this country. On the one hand, great fortunes were made and many more were lost. In those days Hollywood's idea for escapism was the screwball comedy, with an emphasis in presenting how the privileged classes lived. This was in sharp contrast with what the majority of regular citizens were experiencing.
With that background, Gregory La Cava, a man who knew how to entertain an audience, took the direction of "My Man Godfrey". In the film we are given, on the one hand, what appears to be a city dump near to Sutton Place, one of the richest areas in Manhattan. We are shown a destitute man, Godfrey, who comes in contact with a couple of rich girls out on a scavenger hunt. Godfrey will change their lives forever.
"My Man Godfrey" gathered a distinguished cast. William Powell and Carole Lombard were at the pinnacle of their popularity. Both actors exuded charisma in any film they graced with their charming presence. They both left a mark of distinction in this comedy. Both are elegant and sophisticated, and they make us care about the characters they are playing.
The best thing about those 30s comedies were the marvelous ensemble casts assembled to support the stars. Thus, one is treated to delicious performances by Gail Patrick, Eugene Palette, Alice Brady, Micha Auer, Jean Dixon and Alan Mowbray.
This is a classic film that will live forever.