My Man Godfrey (1937)

From City Dump to Park Avenue

My Man Godfrey (1937)

Novel by Eric Hatch, Screenplay by Eric Hatch and Morrie Ryskind

Uncredited Writers - Gregory La Cava and Robert Presnell Jr.

Directed by Gregory La Cava

This is perhaps my favorite comedy of all time. The plot revolves around the mysterious background of a so-called forgotten man called Godfrey Smith who is played beautifully by William Powell. Godfrey finds himself the object of a scavenger hunt being staged for charity. The hunters in this case are Cornelia Bullock (Gail Patrick), and her sister, Irene (Carole Lombard) who are what Godfrey later terms "Park Avenue brats" meaning they are spoiled rich girls with no feeling for anyone but themselves. Godfrey's initial brush with Cornelia leaves him with a desire to help Irene beat Cornelia in the scavenger hunt. After telling the assembled elitists at the scavenger hunt reception what he thinks of them, Godfrey prepares to beat a hasty retreat to his packing crate on the city dump. However, Irene offers him a job as a butler and thereby hangs this tale of lunacy and irresponsibility among America's wealthy during the Great Depression.

The cinematography of this film is merely adequate but the dialog is so witty that one overlooks the visual. Especially humorous are the scenes that include Molly, played with split-second timing by Jean Dixon. Molly, the maid, has a brisk comment for nearly every occasion. On their initial meeting, she gives Godfrey an appraisal of the Bullock household in a way that leaves Godfrey wondering if he actually heard what he thought he heard. Eugene Pallette, with his cheerful bulldog persona and gruff voice turns in another wonderful performance as Mr. Bullock, who is trying to deal with the harsh reality of the Depression while being simultaneously confronted with a familial loony bin. With Godfrey serving as our fly on the wall in this hodgepodge of a home and becoming more embroiled in it by the minute as Irene decides to promote him from protégé to suitor, this film is a delight from beginning to end. I highly recommend it, especially if you are feeling low. It's a marvelous pick-me-up.