My Man Godfrey (1936)

 Gregory La Cava's "My Man Godfrey"


It goes without saying that I am not a big fan of screwball comedies. However, I think if done well, like with the cases of "It Happened One Night" or "Bringing Up Baby," they could make for a very entertaining affair, as well as demonstrate a touch of social critique. I feel as though this case could be made for the entertaining 1936 film "My Man Godfrey." 

The film stars William Powell as Godfrey, a homeless man living in a Hooverville by the East River during the Great Depression. A young socialite played by Carole Lombard offers Godfrey a job as a butler in their home. He accepts. However, what the family does not realize is that Godfrey himself comes from a wealthy family and has since been changed by the experience slumming it with the homeless community. Through his time butler, Godfrey both helps the family with their finances as well as making enough of the family's shares to start a nightclub that employs the homeless.

Although the social commentary is not arguably very biting, it is still present. Godfrey observes the Bullock family who takes him in as being spoiled and out of touch with reality. The film notes the disparate lives being lived between the wealthy elite and the 'forgotten men' that suffered during the Great Depression. Godfrey is able to rectify certain disparities through his climatic actions at the end of the film.

However, the film doesn't overtly dive too deeply into social critiques. Rather, it presents itself more as an incredibly successfully produced screwball comedy, with plenty of entertainment. 



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