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IMDbPro

Merrily We Live

  • 19381938
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
1.9K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
20,347
20,502
Brian Aherne and Constance Bennett in 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 chauffeur's uniform. He also catches the eye of her pretty Geraldine.
Play trailer2:15
1 Video
40 Photos
ComedyRomance
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... Read allDizzy 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.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.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
1.9K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
20,347
20,502
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Norman Z. McLeod
    • Writers
      • Eddie Moran(screen play)
      • Jack Jevne(screen play)
      • E.J. Rath(novel "The Dark Chapter; a Comedy of Class Distinctions")
    • Stars
      • Constance Bennett
      • Brian Aherne
      • Alan Mowbray
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Norman Z. McLeod
    • Writers
      • Eddie Moran(screen play)
      • Jack Jevne(screen play)
      • E.J. Rath(novel "The Dark Chapter; a Comedy of Class Distinctions")
    • Stars
      • Constance Bennett
      • Brian Aherne
      • Alan Mowbray
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 59User reviews
    • 15Critic reviews
    • Nominated for 5 Oscars
      • 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Blu-ray Trailer
    Trailer 2:15
    Blu-ray Trailer

    Photos40

    Brian Aherne and Constance Bennett in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Tom Brown, Bonita Granville, and Clarence Kolb in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Constance Bennett in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Constance Bennett in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Constance Bennett in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Constance Bennett in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Brian Aherne and Constance Bennett in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Billie Burke in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Constance Bennett, Bonita Granville, and Clarence Kolb in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Constance Bennett and Clarence Kolb in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Constance Bennett, Bonita Granville, and Alan Mowbray in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Brian Aherne and Constance Bennett in Merrily We Live (1938)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Constance Bennett
    Constance Bennett
    • Jerry Kilbourne
    Brian Aherne
    Brian Aherne
    • Wade Rawlins
    Alan Mowbray
    Alan Mowbray
    • Grosvenor (butler)
    Billie Burke
    Billie Burke
    • Mrs. Kilbourne
    Patsy Kelly
    Patsy Kelly
    • Etta
    Ann Dvorak
    Ann Dvorak
    • Minerva Harlan
    Tom Brown
    Tom Brown
    • Kane Kilbourne
    Clarence Kolb
    Clarence Kolb
    • Mr. Kilbourne
    Bonita Granville
    Bonita Granville
    • Marion Kilbourne
    Marjorie Rambeau
    Marjorie Rambeau
    • Mrs. Harlan
    Phillip Reed
    Phillip Reed
    • Herbert Wheeler
    Willie Best
    Willie Best
    • George
    Sidney Bracey
    Sidney Bracey
    • 2nd Butler
    Paul Everton
    Paul Everton
    • Senator Harlan
    Marjorie Kane
    Marjorie Kane
    • Rosa
    Wilma Cox
    • Mrs. Remington
    • (uncredited)
    Sarah Edwards
    Sarah Edwards
    • Mrs. Fleming
    • (uncredited)
    Pat Flaherty
    Pat Flaherty
    • Pat - Police Officer
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Norman Z. McLeod
    • Writers
      • Eddie Moran(screen play)
      • Jack Jevne(screen play)
      • E.J. Rath(novel "The Dark Chapter; a Comedy of Class Distinctions") (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Alan Mowbray, Billie Burke, and Constance Bennett had worked on director Norman Z. McLeod's previous film, Topper (1937). The commercial and critical success of Topper played a large role in their inclusion in this film.
    • 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.
    • Quotes

      Marian Kilbourne: [Introducing the two Great Danes] How do you do? I'd like you to meet my dogs. This dog's name is "Get Off The Rug." His name is "You, Too!"

    • Crazy credits
      Behind the opening credits, the cast walks arm in arm up the driveway towards the camera.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 56th Annual Academy Awards (1984)
    • 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 reviews59

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    American cinema once again staring down the depression with glamour and masterful comedy.
    As has been noted before (often), this is a brilliant screwball comedy and yet somehow "a lost movie." How do such things happen? Fate, I suppose - which is no answer at all.

    Do, however,seek out this film when you can find it. I saw it on Turner Classic Movies (God Bless Them), and I will make it my business to gather a crowd when viewing its next showing.

    Considering how across-the-board dazzling the film is, I hate to single out anyone, but Clarence Kolb, who plays the always exasperated "pater familias," and whom we have all seen in dozens of movies, here displays a mastery of physical comedy that is singularly impressive and downright hilarious.
    helpful•12
    0
    • gulfandgotham
    • Jul 8, 2007

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 4, 1938 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Dark Chapter
    • Filming locations
      • Riviera Country Club - 1250 Capri Drive, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Hal Roach Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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