Carole Lombard had it all. She was a successful screen comedienne, who commanded her own salary, and could pick her own films. This was a rarity in Hollywood, reserved for movie stars. She was married to the biggest star of the era, the king of Hollywood, Clark Gable. This wonderful life was tragically snuffed out in a plane crash in 1942, while returning from a bond drive. Carole Lombard could have had a film legacy that would have been difficult to top. She did in My Man Godfrey show why she was the best comic actress of her day.
Carole Lombard plays Irene Bullock, a spoiled rich woman. She picks up Godfrey (William Powell) ; a man down on his luck, living at the city dump. Irene takes Godfrey home to her family. She gives him steady work as a butler. Irene’s family is a dysfunctional rich family. It consists of her sister, Cornelia, (Gail Patrick), her mother, Angelica, (Alice Brady) and her long suffering father, Alexander, (Eugene Pallette). An excellent performance is given by Pallette, going crazy, because he has lost control of his family. Its gone as far as a musician, Carlo, (Mischa Auer), who is staying in his mansion and eating him out of house and home. Godfrey in his role as butler, manages to keep the Bullock family straight. He lends counsel to all concerned. He manages to get Alexander Pallette to stand firm, as the head of the household. He puts Cornelia Bullock in her place, letting her know that she is a callous person. Godfrey has with his strength, managed to gained the affections of Irene Bullock. He tries throughout the film, to keep his distance. He even manages to help the family through a tough financial situation.
My Man Godfrey succeeds mainly because of the great on screen chemistry between Carole Lombard and William Powell. It is a classic screwball comedy. These type of comedies worked well during the depression, because they skewered the rich; who were targets because of the suffering of many people during this time. This movie shows off the comedic talents of William Powell. He is primarily known for his role as Nick Charles, in The Thin Man movies. Carole Lombard for her efforts in this film, was nominated for an academy award. This film is great to watch, because of the themes of hope coming out of despair, and kindness being its own reward.