The story concerns a socialite who hires a derelict to be her family's butler, and then falls in love with him. ", The film was based on a 1935 novel by Eric S. He finds the Bullocks to be the epitome of idle rich, and nutty as the proverbial fruitcake. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. [15] Writing for The Spectator in 1936, Graham Greene gave the film a moderately positive review, characterizing it as "acutely funny [for three-quarters of its way]". As part of the deal, Universal loaned Paramount Margaret Sullavan for the film I Love a Soldier and Lombard's clothes designer, Travis Banton, accompanied her. I think we should get our help from employment agencies. 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... Today in Oscar History: Mrs Miniver, Shape of Water, John Garfield, Oscars flashback 70 years to 1951: Bette Davis, Gloria Swanson, Anne Baxter All lose to Judy Holliday. When tensions hit a high point on the set, Lombard had a habit of inserting four letter words into her dialogue, often to the great amusement of the cast. The film was remade in 1957 with June Allyson and David Niven in the starring roles. "My Man Godfrey," from the novel by Eric Hatch, is on the order of the "Three-Cornered Moon" of a few seasons ago -- except that it is slightly more insane. My Man Godfrey (1936) was the first film to be nominated for all four acting Oscars: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress. Directed by Gregory La Cava. With June Allyson, David Niven, Jessie Royce Landis, Robert Keith. One night, a spoiled socialite named Cornelia Bullock offers him $5 to be her "forgotten man" for a scavenger hunt. [9] Universal borrowed Lombard from Paramount. During the Great Depression, Godfrey "Smith" Parke is living with other men down on their luck at a New York City dump in a Hooverville on the East River near the 59th Street Bridge. It was adapted by Peter Berneis, William Bowers and Everett Freeman, and directed by Henry Koster. This movie will make you laugh and it should. My Man Godfrey is a 1936 American screwball comedy film directed by Gregory La Cava and starring William Powell and Carole Lombard, who had been briefly married years before appearing together in the film. After talking with Irene, Godfrey finds her to be kind, though a bit scatter-brained. [2] Its budget was $575,375, and Powell was paid $87,500 and Lombard $45,645. AKA: Irene, a teimosa, Al servicio de las damas. [23] When the film was remade in 1957, David Niven played Godfrey opposite June Allyson, directed by Henry Koster. [8], The studio's original choice to play Irene, the part eventually played by Carole Lombard, was Constance Bennett, and Miriam Hopkins also was considered, but the director Gregory La Cava only would agree to Bennett if Universal borrowed William Powell from MGM. My Man Godfrey 1936. Godfrey is filled with politically freighted allusions. Godfrey proves to be surprisingly competent and resourceful. A zany heiress tries to help a tramp by making him the family butler. He throws Carlo out, then announces to his family and Godfrey that his business is failing and he might face criminal charges for embezzlement. The film is a color remake of Gregory La Cava's 1936 screwball comedy of the same name. The film opens with a treasure hunt and one of the items to find is a forgotten man. Directed by (1) Writing credits (6) Cast (46) Produced by (1) Music by (2) Cinematography by (1) Film Editing by (2) Art Direction by (1) Makeup Department (2) Second Unit Director or Assistant Director (3) Sound Department (2) Special Effects by (1) [24] A stage musical version of My Man Godfrey, produced by Allan Carr and written by librettists Alan Jay Lerner and Kristi Kane and composer Gerard Kenny, was intended for Broadway in 1985,[25] but remained uncompleted at the time of Alan Jay Lerner's death in 1986. It was directed by Gregory La Cava for Universal and is now considered the definitive screwball comedy, with its social commentary on life during the 30s. He puts her in a cold shower, which confirms her hopes: "Oh Godfrey, now I know you love me ... You do or you wouldn't have lost your temper." Godfrey makes up a story that he was Tommy's valet at Harvard. Considering the end of the film, however, he notes that "the social conscience is a little confused" and he wishes for a more "dignified exit". 0%. The Bullocks send their daughters to Europe to get Irene away from her now-broken engagement. She leaves in a fury, much to the glee of her younger sister and rival, Irene. ", The original film is generally thought to have lapsed into the public domain due to a failure to renew the film's copyright after 28 years. The film amuses throughout but it is a real art to weave social commentary into a comedy without banging you over the head. For the remake, see, Sedgwick, John and Pokorny, Michael (February 2005) "The Film Business in the United States and Britain during the 1930s" in, List of films in the public domain in the United States, "The 9th Academy Awards (1937) Nominees and Winners. Irene considers him her protégé, but Cornelia holds a grudge against him. He gives the stock back to the stunned Mr. Bullock, saving the family from ruin, then returns the necklace to a humbled Cornelia. Like. In My Man Godfrey, that central heart is provided by the unconditionally good and good-hearted butler character (Godfrey, the "my man" of the title) played by William Powell. [2], Powell's casting was announced in January 1936. Worried, Irene stages a fainting spell and swoons into Godfrey's arms. MY MAN GODFREY - 1957Dir HENRY KOSTERCast: JUNE ALLYSONDAVID NIVENMARTHA HYERJESSIE ROYCE LANDISEVA GABORROBERT KEITHBELGICA - -35X46-Cm.-14X18-INCHESPOSTERMost are in excellent condition but may have normal wear such as edge wear or a slight hole. Directed by Henry Koster. Written by 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. [12], The movie was one of the most acclaimed comedies of 1936. My Man Godfrey (1936) Usage Public Domain Topics William Powell, Carole Lombard, Alice Brady, Gail Patrick, Eugene Pallette, Jean Dixon, Alan Mowbray, Mischa Auer, Pat Flaherty, Robert Light, Mystic Nights Videos. ", "Complete National Film Registry Listing | Film Registry | National Film Preservation Board | Programs at the Library of Congress | Library of Congress", "Public Domain Trouble Spots: Multilayered Works", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=My_Man_Godfrey&oldid=1015682782, United States National Film Registry films, Wikipedia articles with WorldCat-VIAF identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 2 April 2021, at 21:51. My Man Godfrey (1936) is one of the 1930's most delightful, classic screwball comedies. Keeping their esteemed place in society is paramount to the Bullock family, and only the father (Pallette) ever seems to worry about money. Drama. [2][5] The screenplay for My Man Godfrey was written by Morrie Ryskind, with uncredited contributions by La Cava, based on 1101 Park Avenue, a short novel by Eric S. Hatch. Powell and Lombard had divorced three years earlier. Eighty-four years ago today, the film My Man Godfrey premiered. The spoiled daughter of a rich American family hires as butler an Austrian vagrant she finds on a pier, without knowing that he illegally jumped ship. Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA. 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. Overview of My Man Godfrey, 1936, directed by Gregory La Cava, with William Powell, Carole Lombard, Alice Brady, at Turner Classic Movies [20] According to Stanford University Library, and under rulings of Stewart v. Abend, in so-called multilayered works, the rights holder of the original work can claim ownership of the film script, though not the pictures, if the original book is still in copyright. Allyson played the role created by Carole Lombard in the original version, and Niven took on the role made famous by William Powell. However, La Cava does not allow the film to wallow in pity for those less fortunate. Because My Man Godfrey was released in 1936, it displays characteristics of the time. When he and Powell hit a snag over a disagreement about how Godfrey should be portrayed, they settled things over a bottle of Scotch. [2] It was a runaway hit and earned huge profits for the studio. My Man Godfrey was the first film to receive Oscar® nominations in all four acting categories, including stunning performances by William Powell and Carole Lombard. My Man Godfrey Synopsis: 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. Rated the #4 best film of 1936, and #929 in the greatest all-time movies (according to RYM users). Presented in color for the first time and beautifully restored, this is the definitive DVD edition of My Man Godfrey. View production, box office, & company info. It was the first film released under the aegis of Charles Rogers and was given a big premiere. 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. This made shooting somewhat difficult, but clips of her cursing in her dialogue and messing up her lines can still be seen in blooper reels. If the pre-existing work is protected, then rightly or wrongly, it has generally been determined that the derived film is also protected."[22]. Annoyed, he advances on her, causing her to retreat and fall on a pile of ashes. Use the HTML below. Former detective Nick Charles and his wealthy wife Nora investigate a murder case, mostly for the fun of it. He then addresses the crowd, expressing his contempt for their antics. It deserves all that. Coincidentally, it was the first year for the two supporting awards. Her portrayal of the rich and flighty (yet ultimately wise) Irene Bullock is one of her best performances. Dismayed, Irene impulsively announces her engagement to the surprised Charlie Van Rumple, but breaks down in tears and flees after being congratulated by Godfrey. (1936). Starring: William Powell, Carole Lombard. My Man Godfrey is a classic ensemble film with Carole Lombard and William Powell at the helm. [13] It was adapted again on radio in a half-hour version on the October 2, 1946 episode of Academy Award Theater, again starring William Powell. It's also the only film in Oscar history to receive a nomination in all four acting categories and not be nominated for Best Picture, and was the only film to be nominated in these six categories and not receive any award until 2013's American Hustle. The IMDb Poll Board User's Beloved Little Comedy Movies, Favorite Comedy Performance of the 1930s by a Star Actress, Women's Day: Oscar-Nominated Mother-and-Daughter Roles, Most Prolific Actress Oscar Has Ever Seen. Hatch. My Man Godfrey. Powell and Gail Patrick as Irene's snooty sister, Cornelia, are the antithesis of each other and some of the best social barbs are exchanged between them. In 1999, the original version of My Man Godfrey was deemed "culturally significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. La Cava pulls it off beautifully.La Cava, Lombard, Powell, Auer, and Alice Brady all deservedly earned Academy Award nominations. In 2002, a restored print was made available on DVD by The Criterion Collection. His Godfrey employs an attentive posture and a deep, precise voice that bespeaks an exact measurement of the situation he finds himself in. A zany heiress tries to help a tramp by making him the family butler. You shut up! He then leaves. Character actors Eugene Palette and Mischa Auer absolutely shine. About Share. In the ballroom of the Waldorf-Ritz Hotel, Irene's long-suffering businessman father Alexander Bullock waits resignedly as his ditsy wife Angelica and her mooching protégé Carlo play the game. My Man Godfrey Carole Lombard and William Powell dazzle in this definitive screwball comedy by Gregory La Cava—a potent cocktail of romantic repartee and social critique. My Man Godfrey (1936) Full Cast & Crew. Realizing his daughter orchestrated the whole thing, Mr. Bullock informs Cornelia she had better find her un-insured pearls. Cornelia attempts to seduce Godfrey on his day off; offended by his candid rebuff, she plants her pearl necklace under Godfrey's mattress and calls the police. [21] "Films are often based on books .. that may maintain copyright. Godfrey arrives and is authenticated as a "forgotten man". My Man Godfrey is a 1957 American CinemaScope Eastmancolor comedy film starring June Allyson and David Niven. 0 views. Particularly praising the scene of the scavenging party, Greene finds it to be "perhaps the wittiest, as well as noisiest, sequence of the year". With William Powell, Carole Lombard, Alice Brady, Gail Patrick. He offers to go with her to help her beat Cornelia. A gentleman thief and a lady pickpocket join forces to con a beautiful perfume company owner. The first time and beautifully restored, this article is about the conditions the! 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