During the Great Depression about 80 million people went to the movies every week, roughly 65% of the population. It was an escape from the outside world, and glitzy movies were the most popular. But, Hollywood could not ignore the times entirely. My Man Godfrey, is an unusual example of Hollywood trying to include the harsh life of the Great Depression in the 1930’s, but also disregarding it almost immediately.
Unlike the typical glamorous Hollywood comedies of the time, the movie begins in a Hooverville (or shanty town), somewhere homeless people would have lived during that time. William Powell plays Godfrey, a forgotten man. While the forgotten man is used as an item in a scavenger hunt to start the story, the movie (and book written by Eric Hatch) recognize that humans down on their luck should not be used as pawns in rich people’s games. Not to worry, Godfrey has a bit more up his sleeve than the average forgotten man. Hollywood knew that audiences did not want to see an entire movie about a forgotten man, so Godfrey immediately transforms into the perfect butler for a rich family and shenanigans ensue.
The term “forgotten man” would have been something the audience resonated with. It had become a powerful political and cultural term during the Depression, especially after Franklin Roosevelt used it in speeches about helping struggling Americans.
William Powell and Carole Lombard, the stars of the movie, were married from 1931 to 1933 but divorced before the movie went into production. After reading the script, William Powell recommended Carole Lombard for the part of Irene, as the pair were still great friends. They were known to have double dates when Carole Lombard was married to Clark Gable and William Powell was dating Jean Harlow. William Powell was heard to say that the relationship with Carole Lombard was not unlike that in the movie, as he was a more traditional man and Carole Lombard was more of a free spirit.
You may recognize many others in the cast as well. Alice Brady, who plays the mother in the family, also played Ginger Roger’s aunt in The Gay Divorcee, last winter’s movie of the Art Deco Film Club.
Gail Patrick had quite a career playing the rival to the female lead characters. Also staring in My Favorite Wife with Cary Grant and Stage Door with Katherine Hepburn and Ginger Rogers.
You may not recognize the actor who plays the father, at least until he opens his mouth. Eugene Pallette has one of the best and most distinctive voices in early sound movies. He can also be seen in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and The Adventures of Robin Hood. Palette embodies the fun Hollywood had in casting unusual voices once the talkies came in.
My Man Godfrey was remade in 1957 with David Niven and June Allison, but the 1936 version remains the most popular by far. School for Tramps, a Spanish version, was made in 1955 and is a treasured comedy in Mexico.
Also included in:
AFI’s list of Top 100 Funniest Movies
Roger Ebert’s Great Movies
1001 Movies to See Before You Die
New York Times’ Guide to the Best 1000 Movies Ever Made