Merrily We Live (1936) :
Brief Review -
A healthy child born to the classic "My Man Godfrey". As merry as its title, rather, damn too crazy and humourous. I believe the 30s were the time when the best comedies were born. Watching William Powell and Carole Lombard's evergreen "My Man Godfrey" (1936) has taught me so much about real good comedies that we have been missing in the last eight decades. Lava's chauffeur was too intelligent, whereas Norman McLeod's tramp is too charming. I'd like to avoid the comparisons here, but yes, Godfrey is a better film by far. Merrily We Live isn't as great as My Man Godfrey, but it is definitely the best after that. If Godfrey is a father, then Merrily is a healthy child born to him, even though he didn't beget it. Matron of the dizzy society Emily Kilbourne has a habit of hiring ex-cons and hobos as servants. Her latest find is a handsome "tramp" who shows up at her doorstep and soon ends up in a chauffeur's uniform. He also catches the eye of her pretty Geraldine with his charm, but she isn't the only one who wants him. The film has fantastic crazy humour throughout the runtime, and it will please all age groups because it isn't intelligent. It's just funny, and that's what it's supposed to be. Did I tell you how hilariously funny the dialogues are? What a freaking one-liner it has got. Complete madness and definitely gag material. "You can't desert until after dessert." The names of the dogs, the queer family, the crazy mother, the dinner table discussion, that phone conversation, the party scene, the sweet flirting, bla bla. The list goes on. That's how good the writing is, and the screenplay supports it very well. Brian Aherne is no William Powell, but he's pretty nice as the Tramp, Wade. Constance Bennett looks gorgeous and carries the glamour along with the madness nicely. I have seen some of McLeod's much talked about and well known films, but I don't understand how this one has remained so underrated. Come on, hype it up, fellas.
RATING - 7.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.
A healthy child born to the classic "My Man Godfrey". As merry as its title, rather, damn too crazy and humourous. I believe the 30s were the time when the best comedies were born. Watching William Powell and Carole Lombard's evergreen "My Man Godfrey" (1936) has taught me so much about real good comedies that we have been missing in the last eight decades. Lava's chauffeur was too intelligent, whereas Norman McLeod's tramp is too charming. I'd like to avoid the comparisons here, but yes, Godfrey is a better film by far. Merrily We Live isn't as great as My Man Godfrey, but it is definitely the best after that. If Godfrey is a father, then Merrily is a healthy child born to him, even though he didn't beget it. Matron of the dizzy society Emily Kilbourne has a habit of hiring ex-cons and hobos as servants. Her latest find is a handsome "tramp" who shows up at her doorstep and soon ends up in a chauffeur's uniform. He also catches the eye of her pretty Geraldine with his charm, but she isn't the only one who wants him. The film has fantastic crazy humour throughout the runtime, and it will please all age groups because it isn't intelligent. It's just funny, and that's what it's supposed to be. Did I tell you how hilariously funny the dialogues are? What a freaking one-liner it has got. Complete madness and definitely gag material. "You can't desert until after dessert." The names of the dogs, the queer family, the crazy mother, the dinner table discussion, that phone conversation, the party scene, the sweet flirting, bla bla. The list goes on. That's how good the writing is, and the screenplay supports it very well. Brian Aherne is no William Powell, but he's pretty nice as the Tramp, Wade. Constance Bennett looks gorgeous and carries the glamour along with the madness nicely. I have seen some of McLeod's much talked about and well known films, but I don't understand how this one has remained so underrated. Come on, hype it up, fellas.
RATING - 7.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.