Review of My Man Godfrey (1936) by Dan B — 09 Dec 2007

Pretty much archetypal screwball comedy, perhaps now a little neglected compared to others of the genre. Sitting somewhere between the social commentary on 'forgotten men' of Capra and the satirical sexual politics of Sturges, My Man Godfrey is a delightful Depression era fairy tale, with the leads at the height of their powers. William Powell, who really is not remembered and celebrated as frequently as he should be, exhibits the urbane charm (and inevitable drunk scene) that made him such a hit in the Thin Man series, while Carole Lombard gives us one more reason to mourn her untimely death some six years after this film's release. (The scene where she attempts to catch Godfrey's attention by adopting an attitude of profound existential gloom is both charming and hilarious.).

The film boasts a superb supporting cast, particularly Jean Dixon as the feisty maid Molly, Mischa Auer in a wonderful turn, combining haughtiness and fecklessness as the indolent 'protege' of Lombard's high society mother, who in turn is played in an oscar nominated and scene stealing performance by Alice Brady (who herself had only three more years to live - another great loss); and of course, the film would not be complete without Eugene Pallette in another of those trademark roles as the wealthy patriarch whose patience is sorely tested by his eccentric family.

At the risk of nit picking, the plot is somewhat contrived (particularly in the later scenes) even by screwball standards and the romance itself between Powell and Lombard doesn't 100% convince. Whether that is despite or because they had previously been married I leave to subsequent viewers to judge.