My Man Godfrey

19361936
Not RatedNot Rated
1h 34min

Carole Lombard and William Powell in My Man Godfrey (1936)

Trailer for this comedy of a dizzy debutante and her butler

Play trailer0:52

Comedy Drama Romance

A scatterbrained socialite hires a vagrant as a family butler - but there's more to Godfrey than meets the eye.A scatterbrained socialite hires a vagrant as a family butler - but there's more to Godfrey than meets the eye.A scatterbrained socialite hires a vagrant as a family butler - but there's more to Godfrey than meets the eye.

Director
- Gregory La Cava
Writers
- Morrie Ryskind(screen play)
- Eric Hatch(screen play)
- Zoe Akins(contributing writer)
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Nominated for 6 Oscars
- 1 win & 6 nominations total

Videos1

My Man Godfrey

My Man Godfrey (1936)

Carole Lombard and William Powell in My Man Godfrey (1936)

Carole Lombard and William Powell in My Man Godfrey (1936)

Carole Lombard and William Powell in My Man Godfrey (1936)

Eugene Pallette in My Man Godfrey (1936)

Carole Lombard, Mischa Auer, Alice Brady, Eugene Pallette, and Gail Patrick in My Man Godfrey (1936)

Carole Lombard, William Powell, Alan Mowbray, and Gail Patrick in My Man Godfrey (1936)

Carole Lombard and William Powell in My Man Godfrey (1936)

Carole Lombard and William Powell in My Man Godfrey (1936)

Window Card, 14 x 22

Carole Lombard, William Powell, and Gail Patrick in My Man Godfrey (1936)

Carole Lombard and William Powell in My Man Godfrey (1936)

Director
- Gregory La Cava
Writers
- Morrie Ryskind(screen play)
- Eric Hatch(screen play) (based on the novel by)
- Zoe Akins(contributing writer) (uncredited)
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

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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... —Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>

butler homelessness poverty class differences great depression 37 more

Taglines
- Butler! FOR THE COCK-EYEDEST FAMILY in the WHOLE WORLD!...and the butler-blonde battle was on! (Print Ad-Daily Argus, ((Mount Vernon, NY)) 15 October 1936)
Genres
Certificate
- Not Rated
Parents guide

Trivia
William Powell suggested his ex-wife Carole Lombard for the leading role with the explanation that his real -life romance with her had been much the same as it was for the characters of Godfrey and Irene.

Goofs
The background footage of the 59th Street Bridge used in Godfrey's office is from the opposite side of the river to the footage used for the outdoor scenes at "The Dump".

Quotes
Godfrey: The only difference between a derelict and a man is a job.

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.

Alternate versions
Also available in a computer-colorized version.

Connections
Featured in Film Preview: Episode #1.4 (1966)

Soundtracks
Ochi Chyornye (Black Eyes)
(1843) (uncredited)
Alternately spelled "Ochi (or Otchi) Tchornya (or Chornya, Choirni, Tchorniya)
Lyrics by Yevhen Hrebinka
Played on piano and sung often by Mischa Auer

Top review

7/10

Forever enjoyable comedy

I've seen this comedy many times and never get tired of it. Saw it again today on TCM TV, and still get a kick out of it. The spoiled brats of wealthy family man, played by Eugene Pallette, have hired Mr Godfrey as their butler. Carole Lombard and Gail Patrick are the jealous sisters who contrive to win his affections. There is much clutter and romping and confusion, but it all comes out at the end. Mischa Auer plays his usually outrageously funny character. I remember what a hit it was in 1936, and heartily recommend it today!

helpful•29

9

willrams
Mar 13, 2003

Release date
- September 6, 1936 (United States)
Country of origin
- United States
Languages
- English
- Russian
Also known as
- Diskretni sobar Godfri
Filming locations
- Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
Production company
- Universal Pictures
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Budget
- $656,000 (estimated)

See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

Runtime
- 1h 34min
Color
- Black and White
Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1

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