MY MAN GODFREY


US, 1957, 92 minutes, Colour.
June Allyson, David Niven, Jessie Royce Landis, Robert Keith, Eva Gabor, Martha Hyer, Jay Robinson.
Directed by Henry Koster.

Note: these questions can be used for each of the versions of the story. The 1930s version is a cinema classic placed on the National Register in 1939. It is a typical 1930s screwball comedy. The 1950s version is a slighter treatment, a vehicle for June Allyson and David Niven. There is a change of name from Cornelia to Cordelia and Godfrey moves from being homeless to a man without a passport.

My Man Godfrey is one of the most notable and popular screwball comedies of the 30s. Taking the social situation of the times and satirising it with its types, farcical situations and ironies, these films were also noted for their characters, their fast delivery and quick repartee.

Carol Lombard, who stars in this film was one of the best protagonists of this kind of entertainment. She is matched very well by William Powell as the suave Godfrey. The direction was by Gregory La Cava, noted for this kind of entertainment as well. It was one of a number of such comedies remade in the fifties in colour and widescreen.

They were not considered so successful at the time - although they appear in a better light these days when the charm and the originality of the first films are not so striking. The remake, adapted to the fifties and with a more sentimental ending than the thirties version, stars June Allyson and David Niven in the central roles. The screenplay is very similar to the original as well as the style. The director was Henry Koster, director of a wide range of films but who specialized in light domestic comedy over a number of decades.

1. A good example of popular entertainment, comedy? The reflection of the times, the styles of the times, the picture of wealthy America, wealthy living, wealthy values and attitudes in the American context? A critique? The critique by comment, contrast, satire?

2. The New York background, the production values, the glossy glamour? The score? The stars and their reputations and styles, impact in their own day, now?

3. The tone of the film and its opening, the introduction to Irene, the chase and the hectic pace, the recklessness of the characters, the contrast between Irene and Cornelia? The questions of responsibility and irresponsibility? The scavenger hunt, the frivolity, society participating in it, the good cause? The encounter with Godfrey and the contrast with the two worlds? The decision to use Godfrey? His willingness to enter into this society?

4. Irene, seen within her family and its place in society? An attractive girl in herself, heroine, comic style and characteristics, spoilt, carrying on in the way that the family did? Her relationship to her father, mother, fights with Cornelia? Redeemable? The examples of her lazy behaviour, her good behaviour? Her crush on Godfrey, her trying to shield and support him? The happy ending? The American wealthy heroine?

5. The contrast with Godfrey and his suave style even as a tramp, the explanations of his background and their probability? His presence at the scavenger hunt and behaviour? His becoming the butler, his style as butler changing the household? Friendship with Irene and her infatuation with him? The clashes with Mrs Bullock and bossing her about, humorously? Irene and her infatuation for him, Cornelia and her hostility and the reasons for it, her plot against him and her humiliation? His style, manners? His friends, the background, the importance of the Bullock family's need for money? Mr Bullock and his trying to cope? Godfrey and his arranging of the money? His leaving the family and their reaction to his leaving? His successor? Irene and her being the key to a solution?

6. The humorous portrait of the family and its various eccentricities? Laughing with them, at them? Godfrey's summing up their good qualities despite their frivolity?

7. The house guest and Mrs Bullock's patronage of him? Mr Bullock's irritation? Music and affectation?

8. The humour of the various set pieces? the scavenger hunt, Godfrey's control, especially waking people up, meals?

9. The enjoyable froth of such kind of social comedy? The conventions of the hectic screwball comedy? Such comedy as a way of presenting criticism to society?

Created by: malone last modification: Tuesday 24 of June, 2014 10:49:16 by malone