My Man Godfrey
Director: Gregory La Cava
Year Released: 1936
Rating: 3.5
Fifth Avenue rich brat Carole Lombard takes in hobo William Powell as her family's new butler - simply on a whim - in this humorous comedy, one that requires a lot of suspension of disbelief but works nonetheless. Slowly, the reality behind Powell's life is revealed, and we come to see his motives for allowing himself to be put in such a "lowly" position; it's basically an Aesopian moral fable, and though I dislike heavy-handed moralizing, the screenwriters never allow the purpose of the story to ruin any enjoyment. There are a lot of light moments and a plethora of witty quips - Powell always did have the gift of delivery and timing (see The Thin Man).
