My Man Godfrey

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My Man Godfrey

1936

1h 35m

Comedy

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Fifth Avenue socialite Irene Bullock needs a forgotten man to win a scavenger hunt, and no one fits that description more than Godfrey Park, who resides in a dump by the East River. Irene hires Godfrey as a servant for her riotously unhinged family, to the chagrin of her spoiled sister, Cornelia, who tries her best to get Godfrey fired. As Irene falls for her new butler, Godfrey turns the tables and teaches the frivolous Bullocks a lesson or two.

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Critics Consensus

A class satire in a class of its own, My Man Godfrey's screwball comedy is as sharp as the social commentary is biting.

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Hazel-Dawn Dumpert

Village Voice

Feb 6, 2009

[A] screwball masterpiece.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Feb 6, 2009

4/4

God, but this film is beautiful.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Feb 6, 2009

Gregory La Cava's improvisational style received its highest critical acclaim for this 1936 film, a marginally Marxist exercise in class confusion during the Depression.

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

May 22, 2024

4/5

'…My Man Godfrey’s class critique stings…La Cava’s comedy has more social relevance that a dozen ‘prestige’ pictures…’

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 2, 2020

3.5/4

This scintillating comedy was the first film to be Oscar-nominated in all four acting categories.

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Allen Almachar

The MacGuffin

Aug 10, 2020

It is a wonderful film with a conscientious mind.

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Henry D

@Henry_Domke Oct 23, 2026

A bit too familiar, but still fun. The dialogue is full of great quips, especially from William Powell, who has never been better. Lorna was less amused, saying she hates watching Carole Lombard act stupid.

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AC C

@Mon_Alisa Oct 10, 2026

I get the praise for My Man Godfrey though screwball isn’t my schtick. I found Carole Lombard’s character slightly insufferable but I suppose that is the point. William Powell however is excellent as Godfrey and the critiques on social class were quite bold for the time.

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Mickey B.

@Mickerdoo Jun 15, 2026

I’ve never understood the upper class that looks down on help. She was at least nice to him but aggressively persistent. Good pacing.

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Kalissa H.

@kali_416 Apr 27, 2026

William Powell is great in this. Godfrey is so charismatic and likable.

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Nik T

@Nikita66 Dec 24, 2025

I enjoyed this, but in the end was disappointed. I know who Godfrey is supposed to end up with, but it didn't seem logical to me. I was really hoping for a slightly different result. Anyway, the story is a fun premise but too much of a fairy tale for me.

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Orin D

@RT64117979 Nov 19, 2025

A thoroughly delightful screwball comedy w/ the romantic ending it deserves when our heroine's love for Godfrey is finally requited. All the actors are spot on including the gravel-voiced Eugene Pullet (sp?) Great social commentary as well on "the forgotten man." Orin P. Domenico

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Gregory La Cava

Director

William Powell

Godfrey

Carole Lombard

Irene Bullock

Alice Brady

Angelica Bullock

Eugene Pallette

Alexander Bullock

Gail Patrick

Cornelia Bullock

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Synopsis

Fifth Avenue socialite Irene Bullock needs a forgotten man to win a scavenger hunt, and no one fits that description more than Godfrey Park, who resides in a dump by the East River. Irene hires Godfrey as a servant for her riotously unhinged family, to the chagrin of her spoiled sister, Cornelia, who tries her best to get Godfrey fired. As Irene falls for her new butler, Godfrey turns the tables and teaches the frivolous Bullocks a lesson or two.

Director: Gregory La Cava
Producer: Charles R. Rogers
Screenwriter: Morrie Ryskind, Eric Hatch
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 17, 1936, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 26, 2013
Runtime: 1h 35m

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