A well-balanced cast is one of the strong suits of this comedy that delivers a Depression era tale with a morality message.
Carole Lombard plays the part of Irene Bullock, a childish chatterbox who becomes infatuated with a hobo she plucks from the ash heaps down along the river. William Powell (her ex-husband) is Godfrey, the well-spoken derelict who Irene hires as man servant on a whim. Godfrey is a "forgotten man"---one of the victims of the economic upheaval during the Depression. To the Bullock family and their rich Fifth Avenue associates, Godfrey and his ilk are accredited as much significance as pets or playthings.
This sets up an interesting contrast which, due to the manipulation of the writers, is exaggerated for effect. In the film, the forgotten men are the nobility and the idle rich are amoral plutocrats or fops.
But the centerpiece of the film is the relationship between Irene and Godfrey. Lombard received her only Oscar nomination for this performance, but I found her character too flighty. Still, it's a strong performance and serves as counterpoint to Powell's brilliant performance as a man who is quite intentional and principled, despite his unfortunate social status.
Like all good screwball comedies, it ends with an improbable---but pleasing---result.
Carole Lombard plays the part of Irene Bullock, a childish chatterbox who becomes infatuated with a hobo she plucks from the ash heaps down along the river. William Powell (her ex-husband) is Godfrey, the well-spoken derelict who Irene hires as man servant on a whim. Godfrey is a "forgotten man"---one of the victims of the economic upheaval during the Depression. To the Bullock family and their rich Fifth Avenue associates, Godfrey and his ilk are accredited as much significance as pets or playthings.
This sets up an interesting contrast which, due to the manipulation of the writers, is exaggerated for effect. In the film, the forgotten men are the nobility and the idle rich are amoral plutocrats or fops.
But the centerpiece of the film is the relationship between Irene and Godfrey. Lombard received her only Oscar nomination for this performance, but I found her character too flighty. Still, it's a strong performance and serves as counterpoint to Powell's brilliant performance as a man who is quite intentional and principled, despite his unfortunate social status.
Like all good screwball comedies, it ends with an improbable---but pleasing---result.