My Man Godfrey - Criterion Collection

Rating:
Summary: Great movie, terrible transfer to DVD
Review: A brilliant movie with great perfomances but spoiled by at least one major missing scene and numerous washouts (almost going to full-screen white). I would love to purchase a decent transfer of this movie so I hope someone takes the trouble to find a decent original next time. They are out there because public television shows them occasionally

Rating:
Summary: Great comedy
Review: This movie was made when acting and plots still mattered. Lombard keeps you yucking right up to the last line. It also lets the darkness of the depression show through the comedy. People really did live in dumps and starve to death in those days.

Rating:
Summary: Great movie, but a disappointing copy
Review: My Man Godfrey is a witty screwball comedy with some of the snappiest dialogue of the genre. It is unique in that it is humorous while including some 1930's Depression era social commentary. It compares favorably with "Bringing Up Baby" in terms of script and cast quality. The problem with this copy of the movie (hence the 3 star rating) is that a crucial scene is omitted, and, as a result, Carole Lombard's actions for the final 2/3 of the film make no sense. Wait for Public Television or American Movie Classics to run it, their copies are usually complete.

Rating:
Summary: Superb Movie, shame about the presentation.
Review: Brilliant screwball comedy with surefire cast, spoilt only by a third rate Telecine transfer, mostly affected by white crushing resulting in loss of detail in light areas. Sound quality was reasonable. Sit back and enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: great film, bad DVD
Review: I really like this movie, so I was very disappointed in the DVD. I don't know if it is from a poor print or if it's a technical problem, but it wasn't watchable. Every white area was blindingly bright completely washing out all detail. Even turning the contrast on the TV all the way down and the brightness as far down as possible did not completely mitigate this problem. The releasing company should be ashamed for putting this on the market, even at such an attractive price.

Rating:
Summary: A classic screen comedy, as sharp as it is funny
Review: This is one of those old classics that still holds up amazingly well. It's funny how sixty years has seen little change among the upper-class and how poorly it relates to the lower one. This movie doesn't ever seem preachy, though. It's too busy being funny.

Rating:
Summary: Don't forget the underlying social criticism!
Review: The combination of social criticism and sophisticated comedy in this movie brings to mind a cross between Philip Barry and John Steinbeck.

Rating:
Summary: My Man Godfrey- one of my favorite movies!
Review: If the "zany" movie appeals to you, this movie is perfection. Filled with marvelous character actors, one-liners zooming by almost too fast to catch, and perfect comic timing. William Powell and Carole Lombard are beautifully paired. Better than _Bringing Up Baby_, _The Thin Man_, and _My Girl Friday_. It seems like I've seen it dozens of times, and it's still great!

Rating:
Summary: Great film deserves better "extras"
Review: The first time I saw "My Man Godfrey" was on VHS. It was hard to enjoy the film due to the poor quality of the picture. Thanks to the good people at Criterion Collection, this classic screwball comedy from 1936 can now be enjoyed with the clarity of picture it deserves.
"My Man Godfrey" features two of the great actors of their time, William Powell and Carole Lombard along with a stellar supporting cast. The witty script is by Morrie Ryskin who helped write a number of the Marx Brothers early films.
Godfrey (Powell) is rescued from the depression-era dumps and a seeming life of poverty by wealthy heiress Irene Bullock (Lombard) ulitmately to serve as her eccentric family's butler. Godfrey has a foil in Irene's sister who goes so far to set him up for a crime. Godrey is not quite what he appears. Suffice it to say the usual screwball comedy wackiness ensues.
Sadly, Criterion has let viewers down with the DVD's special features. Some outtakes are interesting (actors of yore using profanity!) But a bet is missed with an attempt so show the contrast in life (using contemporary footage) of the haves and have-nots. There is hardly enough here to whet the appetite. The features also include a radio presentation of the story and the obligatory trailer. But that's it! Hopefully another edition with more will be offered someday.

Rating:
Summary: Classiest Comedy of All Time
Review: This film is a treasure and one of the funniest comedies of all time. Don't miss out on it because although it is really silly and hilarious the story is also smart and has a serious side. The chemistry between the serious Powell and silly but sweet Lombard is so fun to watch. Another bonus is that all the actors in this are excellent. I can't recommend this enough.