Back To Index My Man Godfrey
 Barnes & Noble My Man Godfrey firmly established Carole Lombard (To Be or Not to Be) as Hollywoods premier screen comedienne in the 1930s; and it has since taken its rightful place in the pantheon of essential screwball comedies. Lombard steals the show as Irene, a loopy New York heiress who tabs down-on-his-luck Godfrey Smith (played by Lombards real-life former husband, William Powell) as the "forgotten man" she needs to complete a scavenger hunt. Captivated by the unflappable Godfrey, she hires him on "to butle" for her eccentric family, with hopes of eventually grooming him to be her de facto protégé. One aspect of the films genius is displayed in the casting of its hard-luck hero: Contemporary audiences couldnt help but feel that if someone as sophisticated as Powell (The Thin Man) could bottom out, then surely anyone could. And Gregory La Cavas directing style (much of the dialogue was reworked on the set during production) finds its natural complement in the skill of his extraordinary supporting cast. Eugene Pallette excels as Irenes gravel-voiced father, while Alice Brady plays the role of the strong-willed but oblivious mother at perfect pitch. The underrated Gail Patrick keeps the story moving as the vengeful brat trying to upset her younger sisters fantasy; and Mischa Auer provides the film with some of its funniest moments playing Carlo, the ludicrous high society parasite willing to degrade himself in any manner required to stay in the familys good graces. While the politics of this class comedy are a bit confused -- what begins as a vaguely Marxist critique of American capitalism eventually dissolves into a rather reactionary climax -- they never threaten to disturb the delightfully charmed and topsy-turvy world that La Cava and his gifted performers have created. Donald GrayCustomer ReviewsWrite your own online review > Interested in the song lyrics? - Check out themostlyrics.com! Looking For A DVD? - Check out dvd-a-rama.com! |
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