My Man Godfrey
A dignified derelict becomes the butler who exposes a wealthy family's absurdity while resisting its lovesick heiress.
Overview
A whimsical tale of love and class that turns the world upside down in the midst of the Great Depression.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- buoyant
- irreverent
- classic movie night
- date night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as an exceptionally funny, intelligent, and delightful screwball comedy anchored by strong central performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Godfrey's employment in the Bullock household turns the family's frivolity and dependence on wealth into the film's central comic target.
Godfrey moves from the city dump into the Bullock mansion as butler, giving him a contrasting perspective on high society.
Irene's attraction to Godfrey conflicts with his belief that a relationship between butler and employer is improper.
The Bullock family responds to wealth, romance, and Godfrey's presence with deliberately absurd, high-energy behavior.
Films like My Man Godfrey, and why
The Awful Truth
shared screwball energy, class satire, and opposites-attract romance
It Happened One Night
shared romantic farce, rapid-fire wit, and social-class tension
Bringing Up Baby
shared screwball comedy, eccentric wealthy characters, and romantic confusion
The Lady Eve
shared Depression-era social commentary, romantic comedy, and reformist outsider protagonist
Movie Details
- Director
- Gregory La Cava
- Release Date
- 1936-09-02
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (408)
Cast
- William Powell
- Carole Lombard
- Alice Brady
- Gail Patrick
- Eugene Pallette
- Jean Dixon
- Alan Mowbray
- Mischa Auer
- Pat Flaherty
- Robert Light
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Pure Flix, FlixFling, IndieFlix, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Dove Amazon Channel, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel, FilmBox Live Amazon Channel, Great American Pure Flix Amazon Channel, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel, Artiflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is My Man Godfrey about?
- A dignified derelict becomes the butler who exposes a wealthy family's absurdity while resisting its lovesick heiress.
- What is My Man Godfrey like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of My Man Godfrey as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is My Man Godfrey violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in My Man Godfrey.
- What did critics think of My Man Godfrey?
- Critics broadly regard it as an exceptionally funny, intelligent, and delightful screwball comedy anchored by strong central performances.
- Which films are like My Man Godfrey?
- Films with a similar feel include The Awful Truth, It Happened One Night, Bringing Up Baby, and The Lady Eve.
- How long is My Man Godfrey?
- My Man Godfrey runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch My Man Godfrey?
- In United States, My Man Godfrey streams on Amazon Prime Video, Pure Flix, FlixFling, IndieFlix, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Dove Amazon Channel, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel, FilmBox Live Amazon Channel, Great American Pure Flix Amazon Channel, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel, Artiflix.
