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Product Description
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Director Gregory La Cava deftly balances satire, romance, and social comment in this 1936 classic, which echoes Frank Capra in its Depression-era subtext. The Bullocks are a well-heeled, harebrained Manhattan family genetically engineered for screwball collisions: father Alexander (Eugene Pallette, of the foghorn voice and thick-knit eyebrows) is the breadwinner at wit's end, thanks to his spoiled daughters, the sultry Cornelia (Gail Patrick) and the sweet but scatterbrained Irene (a luminous Carole Lombard), his dizzy and doting wife, Angelica (Alice Brady), and her "protégé," Italian freeloader Carlo (Mischa Auer). When Irene wins a society scavenger hunt (and atypically trumps her scheming sister) by producing a "lost man," a seeming tramp named Godfrey (William Powell), all their lives are transformed. With the always suave, effortlessly funny Powell in the title role, this mystery man provides the film's conscience and its model of decency; the giddy, passionate Lombard holds out its model for triumphant love. In a movie riddled with memorable comic highlights, the real miracle is the unapologetic romanticism that prevails. --Sam Sutherland
Special Features
After years as a poster child for archival neglect, this 1936 screwball gem is restored to its original luster in Criterion's exemplary digital transfer, which yields nearly pristine imaging and a clearer soundtrack. Even the opening credits, combining miniatures, animation, and art deco type design to create a panorama of New York's riverfront, is a revelation after decades of poor transfers. Better yet, this edition restores a brief but crucial scene (a pivotal visit by Carole Lombard's Irene to "butler" Godfrey's service quarters) absent from most public domain-sourced versions. Extras include a thoughtful audio commentary by historian Bob Gilpin, a few outtakes, production stills, an original trailer, and the radio adaptation (which also featured stars Powell and Lombard)--modest extras when compared to those found on some modern DVDs, but substantial for a movie lensed more than six decades ago. For classics fans, this is nirvana. --Sam Sutherland
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this movie. Story line moves along nicely. Colorized feature not only adds to the visual enjoyment but also maintains the mood and settings of the venue. Clear and crisp visuals.
By Movieman, Montreal
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I think fans of this film already know the familiar story line, so I won't get into that here. The great news is it's being presented as part of Universal's 100th Anniversary lineup. As soon as I learned that Universal had finally issued this on DVD, I jumped on it! "Prosperity is just around the corner...."
This 5 out of 5 star screwball classic has only been available previously on budget labels (of varying quality), or as a very expensive Criterion release. It's terrific to see Universal releasing this as well as another classic Public Domain title, Charade. The print quality & extras are great, well done. Happy 100th!
This 5 out of 5 star screwball classic has only been available previously on budget labels (of varying quality), or as a very expensive Criterion release. It's terrific to see Universal releasing this as well as another classic Public Domain title, Charade. The print quality & extras are great, well done. Happy 100th!
By Amazonfan
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm such a fan of William Powell and he does not disappoint in this film at all. The quality is good and so is the price.
Love the Thin Man series with Mryna Loy, they made a great on screen couple; also...a must see!!! Own them all!!
Love the Thin Man series with Mryna Loy, they made a great on screen couple; also...a must see!!! Own them all!!
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4.3 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie just as compelling today as when made
The ancient writers of the past used to write their books would age when people were educated and became better..if education was really the problem. Here we have a play... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Anthony Marinelli
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Man Godfrey
I had a VHS copy of this movie, it had faded away, so was very glad when I could buy a DVD copy.
Published 21 months ago by Gayle Bray
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie, horrible price
I love this movie. It's entertaining, fun and the characters are over the top. It would be a great movie to watch with the kids because it could keep them engaged, but it's even... Read more
Published on Aug 13 2010 by ElyseAli
4.0 out of 5 stars
All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of...
The below-stairs people usually got ignored in old movies. But there's a very interesting twist in "My Man Godfrey," a fun screwball comedy about a rich little girl who adores her... Read more
Published on Jan 10 2009 by E. A Solinas
2.0 out of 5 stars
great movie, poor transfer
The transfer to digital is terrible; they must have used a 0 to 1M/sec video stream (VDC or SVCD) and recorded it from a VHS master. Read more
Published on Nov 29 2008 by Alan R. Mcquaig
5.0 out of 5 stars
William Powell is at his best.
A dysfunctional but seemingly wealthy family takes in a new butler of dubious background. In return the butler saves the family in more ways than one. Read more
Published on Oct 10 2008 by bernie
4.0 out of 5 stars
All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of...
The below-stairs people usually got ignored in old movies. But there's a very interesting twist in "My Man Godfrey," a fun screwball comedy about a rich little girl who adores her... Read more
Published on Mar 11 2007 by E. A Solinas
5.0 out of 5 stars
William Powell is at his best.
dysfunctional but seemingly wealthy family takes in a new butler of dubious background. In return the butler saves the family in more ways than one. Read more
Published on Oct 17 2006 by bernie
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Gold Standard for DVDs
My Man Godfrey, for me, represents all that's admirable about the DVD format. Visually, it sparkles, literally so in the opening credits. Read more
Published on May 27 2004 by Mark Nave
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you like old movies this is one of the best
I have a DVD copy from a Canadian company Cascadia and its excellent video and audio and is perfect except for one scene which is repeated twice in an editing loop- oh well-... Read more
Published on May 23 2004
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