Alan Mowbray, Alice Brady, Carole Lombard

A scatterbrained socialite hires Godfrey, a vagrant, as a family butler, but there's more to Godfrey than meets the eye.

Flixster Users

91% liked it

1,576 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

26 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Alan Mowbray, Alice Brady, Carole Lombard, Eugene Pallette, Gail Patrick, Gregory La Cava, Mischa Auer, William Powell

Release Date: September 6, 1936

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DVD Release Date: September 17, 1998

Stats: 419 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (419)


  • May 30, 2009
    One of those rare near perfect films. The more I see of William Powell, the more I wish I could have sat down and had a beer with him. An extraordinary actor with an amazing range. He is never overstated, always choosing under the top delivery combined with perfect, subtle ges...( read more)tures. Even in the most comedic films of his I've seen -- the Thin Man series, for instance -- he is never overly broad.

    I hope I never live to regret this statement via further research, but I can't help but believe that Bill Powell must have been an upstanding and all-embracingly decent human being. Truly, if he was not a wonderful person, I would really rather you not disabuse me of my happy ignorance.

    The term "Everyman" might be used too much. But not by me. Powell is the epitome on screen of that proverbial -- to the point of becoming cliche -- Everyman.

    This one is an amazing love story on top of a supremely gifted acting display. And yes, it is funny.

    Mr. Powell, not only are you on my all-time favorite actor list, but with every film I discover, you are rising to the top of that very small, very revered group. I look forward to living long enough to see every single movie you've ever made.

  • March 17, 2009
    the ever vivacious carole lombard only seems to star in this american 30's"upstairs, downstairs" but actually she's only a stand-in, a mannequin for what hollywood powers-that-be must've thought of most of the a
    "girls-next-door", rich or poor: vapid chowderheads. her only real...( read more) job in this is to admire and long-for the offered smug boy-toy, william powell, who gamely is both "regular guy" hobo and erudite harvard grad, dream man. the lessons he "teaches" the upper class are made-to-order for what hollywood must've believed the lowerer classes (read: ticket buying) public really wanted to hear, which, if one watches, will have one dumbstruck at the audacious stupidity of the plan, played straight and w/o a wink. the only real sparks then in the film are hidden in the scenes between powell and the "bad girl", gail patrick (as smug as powell and blow for blow his equal, his ideal and thus, the right choice), whom he psych-crushes with some smarter-than-thou insightful pity simply because she's hip, knows she's his ever livin' ying, which leaves him bubbleheaded lombard, which powell himself doesn't seem to understand. still, a popular populist bit o'pablum that showcases the strong points of both leads.
  • July 26, 2007
    This kind of comedy of manners is the kind of thing that would be made as a vehicle for Adam Sandler these days, and would therefore be mindless, hateful, junk. But starring the likes of Carole Lombard and William Powell, and sporting the kind of witty and insightful screwball sc...( read more)ript they just don't write any more, it's a joy.
  • July 24, 2007
    My Man Godfrey falls under the I Want To Kick Myself In The Ass For Not Seeing This Sooner category. The characters are all lunatics (save Powell), they're all hilarious and if it weren't for the very, very end My Man Godfrey would be the perfect movie. The scene where Irene and ...( read more)Molly cry about Godfrey had me laughing out loud. So many great moments in this one. I can't recommend it enough.
  • June 19, 2007
    Great Great screwball comedy...Powell's best performance out side of the Thin Man series
  • July 24, 2009
    Highly recommended. A classic screwball comedy.
  • March 6, 2009
    My Man Godfrey is the story of Godfrey, a down on his luck fellow who is sought after by a pair of sisters for a scavenger hunt. Turning down the snootier of the two, he accepts the invitation of the younger one and unwittingly becomes the household butler. Unfortunately for Godf...( read more)rey, he also falls prey to the younger one's love for him.

    The movie was very enjoyable. The plot made sense, even though it is highly unlikely to happen, especially in today's world. The cast did a remarkable job in their respective roles. The film had humour thrown throughout, likable and understandable characters, a nice setting, and just an overall working theme and tone.
  • March 6, 2009
    A great look at how people treat high class vs. lower class people.
  • February 13, 2009
    A watchable movie from beginning to end. A watchable movie also in the sense that I've seen it about four to six times now.
  • November 7, 2008
    gossamer light lombard and steely sleek powell are a great match as the dizzy debutante that finds a forgotten man then hires him to buttle for her park avenue family. this film has a cast that plays like an ensemble. in fact, they're so tight, it's surprising that some broadwa...( read more)y folks haven't tried to turn this one in to a musical.

Critic Reviews


February 6, 2009
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

God, but this film is beautiful. full review

View more My Man Godfrey reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • moonrivers
    March 16, 2009
    the ever vivacious carole lombard only seems to star in this american 30's"upstairs, downstairs" but actually she's only a stand-in, a mannequin for what hollywood powers-that-be must've thought of most of the a
    "girls-next-door", rich or poor: vapid chowderheads. her only real job in this is to admire and long-for the offered smug boy-toy, william powell, who gamely is both "regular guy" hobo and erudite harvard grad, dream man. the lessons he "teaches" the upper class are made-to-order for what hollywood must've believed the lowerer classes (read: ticket buying) public really wanted to hear, which, if one watches, will have one dumbstruck at the audacious stupidity of the plan, played straight and w/o a wink. the only real sparks then in the film are hidden in the scenes between powell and the "bad girl", gail patrick (as smug as powell and blow for blow his equal, his ideal and thus, the right choice), whom he psych-crushes with some smarter-than-thou insightful pity simply because she's hip, knows she's his ever livin' ying, which leaves him bubbleheaded lombard, which powell himself doesn't seem to understand. still, a popular populist bit o'pablum that showcases the strong points of both leads.
  • Riverfan93
    December 30, 2007
    I love this movie! I'll be honest the first time I saw this I didn't care for it that much. But, it's the kind of movie that grows on you. Carole Lombard is great in this movie, and so is Alice Brady (the mom). She's hilarous.

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My Man Godfrey Trivia


  • This man starred in the film My Man Godfrey and the Thin Man Series.  Answer »
  • Though they were previously married for two years, these two stars were divorced by the time they played the romantic leads in "My Man Godfrey":  Answer »

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