My Man Godfrey

My Man Godfrey is one of the early 'screwball' comedies of 1930s Hollywood... those snappy character-based comedies built on witty fast-paced dialogue and farcial plot mechanics. My Man Godfrey is one of the quintessential screwball comedies, having endured beyond its time as a reflection of Depression-era concerns about social class and sexual politics. Along with The Thin Man series, the film is probably also one of actor William Powell's best-known films.

I liked it, it's a good mix of 'silly' comedy and the pertinent issues of the day. How come no one really mixes comedy with hard-hitting social commentary any more? Four Lions is probably the only new movie I can think of that really fits that mold, and it's about as far from a screwball comedy as you can probably get. I liked the way the bright lights at the beginning of My Man Godfrey segued into the Hooverville trash heaps of the Depression. It's a nice contrast that sums up the hypocrisies of the haves vs. the have-nots, and it set the tone for the film's narrative (which deals with a down-and-out 'bum' given a second chance by a family of rich eccentrics).

This was the first time I've seen a William Powell movie. My initial impressions were that he was a more sardonic and less attractive version of Cary Grant, but as the film went on he seemed to become more intellectual and upper class, like David Niven or Ronald Colman. The classic character actors Alice Brady and Mischa Auer also appear and are both great in their supporting roles too. Auer cracked me up more than a few times as the 'freeloading' artist sponsored by some spoilt socialites.

For me, the best bit was the scavenger hunt sequence at the beginning. It's a great way to launch into the story, and it sweeps you along with the characters as they get caught up in this gimmicky challenge. The film's narrative lags a little bit after this but things do keep changing up enough to keep it interesting, and whilst I didn't see the ending coming it still felt 'right'. Anyway, if you've liked some of the other great comedies of the '30s, My Man Godfrey is the halfway point between something like Topper and Ruggles of Red Gap.

Oh, and I was a bit shocked by the wet T-shirt sequence. Take that, Hays Code!

DIRECTOR: Gregory La Cava
WRITER/SOURCE: Screenplay by Morrie Ryskind and Gregory La Cava, based on a short story by Eric Hatch.
KEY ACTORS: William Powell, Carole Lombard, Alice Brady, Gail Patrick, Mischa Auer, Eugene Pallette, Alan Mowbray, Jean Dixon

RELATED TEXTS:
- The short story 1100 Park Avenue by Eric Hatch.
- Remade as My Man Godfrey in 1957, starring David Niven and June Allyson.
- Much like My Man Godfrey, the earlier film Ruggles of Red Gap tells the comedic adventures of a butler.
- Other pre-eminent screwball comedies of the '30s: It Happened One Night, Platinum Blonde, The Awful Truth, You Can't Take It With You and Topper.

AWARDS
Academy Awards - nominated for Best Actor (William Powell), Best Actress (Carole Lombard), Best Supporting Actor (Mischa Auer), Best Supporting Actress (Alice Brady), Best Director and Best Screenplay.