'

My Man Godfrey

Play trailer

My Man Godfrey

Released Sep 17, 1936

1h 35m

Comedy

Drama

Romance

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

38 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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

TIME Magazine

My Man Godfrey emerges with that evasive quality that is not skillful playing, writing or direction, but something that mysteriously adds itself to these things, and makes a tip-top picture.

Apr 24, 2009

Full Review

Hazel-Dawn Dumpert

Village Voice

[A] screwball masterpiece.

Feb 6, 2009

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

God, but this film is beautiful.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 6, 2009

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

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

Rated: 4/5

May 22, 2024

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

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

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 2, 2020

Full Review

Allen Almachar

The MacGuffin

It is a wonderful film with a conscientious mind.

Aug 10, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Glen H

Just an absolutely delightful heartfelt classic. Lombard and Powell are just magical together. One of the greatest from the Golden Age.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/24/24

Full Review

nick s

Some sharp dialogue and a lot of energy. However it's quite stagey and has the vibe of a play. The actors throw their lines out a bit too fast and don't give the conversations time to breathe. I liked the quirkiness of the play but really struggled with the shrill voices of the actresses.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/19/24

Full Review

Mark B

This is an enjoyable picture that is part screwball comedy part Downton Abbey. The social commentary is quite Capra like but it is coming out of depression era times. The writing is quick witted and holds up. A great movie overall and a fun time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/09/24

Full Review

Aileen O

Just loved this movie. Delightful entertainment. Very surprised I had never heard of it before. Made in the 30s but, to me, it's more entertaining than most films being produced today.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/28/24

Full Review

Scott W

Powell is always a delight. This is a great vehicle.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/30/24

Full Review

Gorptholemew T

🍅 8.1/10 These are some of the sickest burns for 1936. Great 1930s romance comfort film. Grade A-

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/10/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Gregory La Cava

Director

William Powell

Godfrey

Carole Lombard

Irene Bullock

Alice Brady

Angelica Bullock

Eugene Pallette

Alexander Bullock

Gail Patrick

Cornelia Bullock

The Flame of New Orleans

29%

53%

The Flame of New Orleans

Watchlist

Counsellor-at-Law

100%

80%

Counsellor-at-Law

Watchlist

City Lights

95%

95%

City Lights

Watchlist

TRAILER

for City Lights

Fanny

100%

88%

Fanny

Watchlist

True Heart Susie

71%

59%

True Heart Susie

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now