12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant family comedy--Niven and Allyson shine in remake, June 2, 2004
This review is from: My Man Godfrey [VHS] (VHS Tape)
David Niven and June Allyson gives dazzling performances in this 1957 remake of the 1936 original starring William Powell and Carole Lombard. Godfrey G. Godfrey (Niven) is an illegal immigrant from Austria who has recently jumped ship. He is found by Irene Bullock (Allyson) hiding around the docks. The first shot of Godfrey is startling. He's ragged and unshaven--he looks like an old sea captain after 30 years too many. Soon, however, he is dapper and groomed--all thanks to the rambunctious pride of Irene (Allyson) who offers him a job as her butler. Godfrey is immediately thrust straight into the heart of a fierce sibling rivalry between Irene and her snotty sister Cordelia (Martha Hyer). He also gets to deal with the dry pinings of the maid, a rather lazy bunch who never rise before noon, and a most glamourous ex-landlady (a stunning, crime-worthy Eva Gabor).
Basically, this film demonstrates the cruel power of love. All along Irene longs to be with her Godfrey. At first, she merely hired him to spite her family, so she could have something of her own. As played by Allyson, Irene is a hilarious knot of confused desire and devotive insistence. Her saga is both touching and sad. She sees Godfrey as her chance at a real life and clings to her fantasies of their life together with fierce determination. It is her conviction that she and Godfrey are meant for each other that drives the film.
Overall, this is one of the sweetest and wackiest films released from a major studio. Particularly inspiring is the warm delirium of Mrs. Bullock (Jessie Royce Landis). Robert Keith is cool and capable as Mr. Bullock, trying to keep his business above water despite virtual bankruptcy. Altogether, the Bullock home is a most difficult place to maintain employment as a butler. The previous butler quit because he apparantly could not bear having to feed the horses. Others had quit practically before getting started. Add a bassett looking hound that howls whenever anyone starts singing and you have basically a perfect, light comedy that will appeal to all ages.
This film is quite different in tone from the original. That film is more political and considerably darker. Both films are considered classics and should be viewed according to their own individual merits.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
David Niven as Godfrey is charming and distinguished!, January 26, 2003
This review is from: My Man Godfrey [VHS] (VHS Tape)
"My Man Godfrey" is one of those old classic films you must see sometime! David Niven magnificently portrays Gofrey, an Austrian illegally in the country who fears he will be deported if he is found out. He soon meets Irene Bullock (June Allyson) who is captured by his dapper charm as she hires him as her family's butler. Everyone in the family is cast under his charming spell except Irene's sister, Cordelia. In time, she, too, will be fascinated. As soon as detectives become suspicious, he feels he must go back to Europe despite Irene's disapproval. I don't feel suprised at her falling for a man as handsome as he is. On a boat returning, she runs after him and beforehand, he knows of a law that says a person illegally in the country can marry an American only after they've left American borders, which will probably happen when you see them together in the final shot with the Statue of Liberty in the background! This picture is delightful and David Niven is sleek, superb, girl-attracting, and distinguished. "My Man Godfrey",as one of the character's in the story, Vincent, would put it, is:
"Lovely, lovely!"
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Man Godfrey, February 25, 2000
This review is from: My Man Godfrey [VHS] (VHS Tape)
A great movie, with a great actor. David Niven had class and charm that can never be duplicated. This was one of his finest
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