The quintessential screwball comedy, My Man Godfrey establishes its cultural and social roots with the marvelous scavenger hunt opening. Setting the place and times with quick strokes, director Gregory Le Cava establishes the breathless rhythms and clever dialogue that are hallmarks of Godfrey from the outset.    

This is mother and mother's protégé. ©Universal

     As part of a black tie party, Irene Bullock and her sister Alice compete in a scavenger hunt. The challenge of finding a "forgotten man" leads them to the same shanty city underneath a bridge where they each try to entice Godfrey, one of the homeless men, to return to the party with them as the last item to scavenger victory. Godfrey proves more than they bargain for, but Irene's charm wins him over. Irene convinces him to become the family butler. Godfrey takes charge with a wisdom beyond his origins, tames the Bullock girls, and becomes indispensable to the family. Irene moons for Godfrey, Alice baits his every step, as he proves himself more than just any forgotten man. 
     The combination of droll William Powell as Godfrey, the forgotten man turned butler, and daffy Carole Lombard, as the rich girl who makes Godfrey her protégé is wonderful. Powell maintains his dignity under a variety of comic assaults by the freewheeling blonde Lombard. It’s interesting to note that their marriage of two years had ended amicably a couple of years before Godfrey was made and Powell actively campaigned for the casting of Lombard. Happily, their screen chemistry is a gift to cinema history while nobody gives a second thought to their domestic failure. 
    The supporting players, like Eugene Palette, whose voice could easily have guided ships through San Francisco harbor and Alice Brady at her ditzy best. Palette’s frustrated Papa Bullock keeps the caffeine flowing in every scene while Brady’s good nature is blissfully resilient. The competition between sisters Irene and Cornelia Bullock plays like sweet jam on toast. Gail Patrick as older sister Cornelia cool and conniving and Lombard’s Irene dressed in an armor of innocence. The social conscience, definitely a heavy vein running through the gold mine of comedy, is part and parcel of the plot. The film never descends into piety. 
     Presented as a special edition by the Criterion Collection, My Man Godfrey includes some short rare outtakes that are treasures. There's also a Lux Radio Theater adaptation starring Powell and Lombard. Film historian Bob Gilpin delivers a dry scholarly audio commentary that includes background information about and analysis about the period. 
    Source elements for the transfer appear to be in very good condition. Some digital work is evident in the relative cleanliness of the picture and a few scenes are slightly soft. Resolution is fine enough to catch the gleam in the actors' eyes.  Element deterioration crops up in small doses. Overall contrast is very good. Blacks stand out well. Shadow detail is preserved in the high key lit segments. Thin mono soundtrack is serviceable. 

Lady Eve, The (SE) A,C+

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