| | | The classic comedy with William Powell and Carole Lombard.
Features: DVD
In this classic screwball comedy, socialite Carole Lombard hires William Powell as a butler, believing she's giving a break to a tramp--but he's not what she thinks, and proves that money isn't everything. Poor Alexander Bullock (Eugene Pallette) has his hands full with dueling daughters Irene (Lombard) and Cornelia (Gail Patrick), plus a dizzy wife (Alice Brady) and her lazy "protege," Carlo (Mischa Auer). Found living in the city dump, Godfrey (Powell) is used as a "forgotten man" to win a scavenger hunt, and has to cope with Irene's insistent advances while hiding the fact that he is a Boston blue blood. Both leads scored Academy Award nominations, as did Auer and Brady (Best Supporting Actor and Actress), director Gregory La Cava and the script by Morrie Ryskind and original author Eric Hatch.
"One of the all-time great screwball comedies." AMC Classic Movie Companion
"A screwball feast." Movieline
"Delightful romp... Classic screwball comedy..." Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide
Editor's Note
Based on the novel by Eric Hatch, this screwball comedy is a genre favorite. On a scavenger hunt for a society ball, haughty Cornelia Bullock discovers Godfrey, a dirty, dishevelled bum lurking around the city dump. She's looking for a "forgotten man" and Godfrey fits the bill perfectly. Hoping to win her first prize, she offers him five dollars to come along with her. Proud and dignified, he refuses, casting her aside. Minutes later, when her lovely younger sister Irene makes the same request, an enamored Godfrey accepts. The hunt sets off an unusual chain of events that bring Godfrey into the Bullock household as a permanent fixture. He'll become deeply embroiled in their family saga before anyone learns his true identity. Re-made in 1957.
Plot Summary
Based on the novel by Eric Hatch, this screwball comedy is a genre favorite. On a scavenger hunt for a society ball, haughty Cornelia Bullock discovers Godfrey, a dirty, dishevelled bum lurking around the city dump. She's looking for a "forgotten man" and Godfrey fits the bill perfectly. Hoping to win her first prize, she offers him five dollars to come along with her. Proud and dignified, he refuses, casting her aside. Minutes later, when her lovely younger sister Irene makes the same request, an enamored Godfrey accepts. The hunt sets off an unusual chain of events that bring Godfrey into the Bullock household as a permanent fixture. He'll become deeply embroiled in their family saga before anyone learns his true identity.
| Features | Audio: Dolby Digital Mono | | Interactive Menus | | Scene Access |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Goodtimes |
| Release Date: 10/1/2002 |
| Running Time: 93 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1936 | | Catalog ID: 05-81364 | | UPC: 00018713813640 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English | | Video: B&W |
Aspect Ratio | | 4:3 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Oscar (1937) | | | William Powell, Nominee, Best Actor | | | Mischa Auer, Nominee, Best Supporting Actor | | | Carole Lombard, Nominee, Best Actress | | | Alice Brady, Nominee, Best Supporting Actress | | | Gregory La Cava, Nominee, Best Cinematography | | | Eric Hatch, Morrie Ryskind, Nominee, Best Writing, Screenplay |
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| | Professional Reviews | USA Today
"...[A] screwball classic....The first film to win Oscar nominations in all four acting categories..." 08/03/2001 p.5E |
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