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

Writers:

Eddie Moran (screen play), Jack Jevne (screen play)

Stars:

Constance Bennett, Brian Aherne, Alan Mowbray

Nominated for 5 Oscars.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Constance Bennett	...	Jerry Kilbourne
Brian Aherne	...	Wade Rawlins
Alan Mowbray	...	Grosvenor - Butler
Billie Burke	...	Mrs. Kilbourne
Patsy Kelly	...	Etta
Ann Dvorak	...	Minerva Harlan
Tom Brown	...	Kane Kilbourne
Clarence Kolb	...	Mr. Kilbourne
Bonita Granville	...	Marian Kilbourne
Marjorie Rambeau	...	Mrs. Harlan
Phillip Reed	...	Herbert Wheeler
Willie Best	...	George
Sidney Bracey	...	2nd Butler
Paul Everton	...	Senator Harlan
Marjorie Kane	...	Rosa

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.

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Plot Keywords:

screwball comedy | mansion | butler | fainting | stealing silverware | 

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Taglines:

Come on in...the fun's grand...and the romance glorious...when a glamor girl and a "gentleman tramp" romp dizzily into love. (Print Ad- Staunton Star-Times, ((Staunton, Ills.)) 14 April 1938)

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Features Billie Burke's only Oscar nominated performance.

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Goofs

When Jerry and Marian are rushing down the stairs near the beginning of the film, a shadow of the boom microphone is visible on the wall to the left.

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Quotes

Jerry Kilbourne: Oh... you, Wade Rawlins!
Wade Rawlins: Well, I think it is.

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Crazy Credits

Behind the opening credits, the cast walks arm in arm up the driveway towards the camera.

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Connections

Featured in The 56th Annual Academy Awards (1984)

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Soundtracks

Merrily We Live
(1938)
Music by Phil Charig
Lyrics by Arthur Quenzer
Sung by an offscreen chorus during the opening and closing credits

User Reviews

pleasant surprise

Considering the obscurity of this film, it's a big surprise to see how well made, visually rich and entertaining it is, despite, as others have noted, its unoriginal premise. The dialogue is frequently funny but not up to the standard of MY MAN GODFREY - too much of the eccentricity seems to be forced and a bit cutesy but the cast overcomes all. Clarence Kolb steals the film with his masterful slapstick but he's first rate whether playing stern-and- sober, falling-down drunk or warmly empathetic. Though Billie Burke was Oscar nominated as the ditzy society matron mother, her performance here is no better than it was the year before in TOPPER or five years before in DINNER AT EIGHT (now THAT was an award-worthy turn!). Perhaps because this particular role was as over-the-top ditzy as such roles get, Hollywood decided it was time to honor it. What a splendid cast: Constance Bennett in fine form; Brian Aherne at his best - called upon to be elegant, dashing and charming, he accomplishes all three. Cary Grant would have given the character more oomph, but Aherne's reserve works here. Then we have the inimitable Patsy Kelly as a kitchen maid, the underused Ann Dvorak as a predatory Senator's daughter who lusts after Aherne, Bonita Granville as a wild, irrepresible teenage daughter, and last but not least Alan Mobray as the snooty butler being undermined by one indignity after another; his double takes are hilarious. Near the beginning there is an accomplished scene in which Aherne's wheezing jalopy rolls for what seems like a mile down a mountainside until it's totalled: no editing tricks here. Being a Hal Roach film there are of course generous helpings of slapstick, but they're brilliantly staged and expertly carried out by actors who are also capable of delivering deft overall performances. Every actor has at least one extended scene of well staged physical comedy. The opening credits are fun and welcoming: the whole cast is walking through the gates of the property with arms linked, singing the swingy title song. So, even though the concept of this film is derivative, its execution is fresh and alive.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 March 1938 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dark Chapter

Filming Locations:

Hal Roach Studios - 8822 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Roach Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1