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My Man Godfrey

1936·US
Director: Gregory La Cava
Comedy

Fifth Avenue socialite Irene Bullock needs a "forgotten man" to win a scavenger hunt, and no one is more forgotten than Godfrey Park, who resides in a dump by the East River. Irene hires Godfrey as a servant for her riotously unhinged family, to the chagrin of her spoiled sister, Cornelia, who tries her best to get Godfrey fired. As Irene falls for her new butler, Godfrey turns the tables and teaches the frivolous Bullocks a lesson or two.

Fifth Avenue socialite Irene Bullock needs a "forgotten man" to win a scavenger hunt, and no one is more forgotten than Godfrey Park, who resides in a dump by the East River. Irene hires Godfrey as a servant for her riotously unhinged family, to the chagrin of her spoiled sister, Cornelia, who tries her best to get Godfrey fired. As Irene falls for her new butler, Godfrey turns the tables and teaches the frivolous Bullocks a lesson or two.

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Explore Further

My Man Godfrey: The Right Kind of People — Criterion Collection

Criterion essay on La Cava's screwball comedy and its Depression-era commentary on class.

Article
The man who came to buttle — Roger Ebert

Ebert's great movies essay celebrating this quintessential 1930s screwball comedy.

Article

Where to Watch

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Cast

William Powell

William Powell

Godfrey

Carole Lombard

Carole Lombard

Irene Bullock

Alice Brady

Alice Brady

Angelica Bullock

Gail Patrick

Gail Patrick

Cornelia Bullock

Eugene Pallette

Eugene Pallette

Alexander Bullock

Jean Dixon

Jean Dixon

Molly

Alan Mowbray

Alan Mowbray

Tommy Gray

Mischa Auer

Mischa Auer

Carlo

Pat Flaherty

Pat Flaherty

Mike Flaherty

Robert Light

Robert Light

Faithful George

Bess Flowers

Bess Flowers

Mrs. Merriweather (uncredited)

B

Bert Moorhouse

Card Playing Party Guest (uncredited)

Franklin Pangborn

Franklin Pangborn

Guthrie (uncredited)

Grady Sutton

Grady Sutton

Charlie Van Rumple (uncredited)

Jane Wyman

Jane Wyman

Socialite (uncredited)

Crew

Eric Hatch

writer

Ted Tetzlaff

cinematographer

Morrie Ryskind

writer

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