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My Man Godfrey (1957 film)

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My Man Godfrey
Theatrical release poster
Directed byHenry Koster
Written byPeter Berneis
William Bowers
Everett Freeman
Based onMy Man Godfrey
1935 novel
by Eric Hatch
My Man Godfrey
1936 film
Produced byRoss Hunter
StarringJune Allyson
David Niven
CinematographyWilliam H. Daniels
Edited byMilton Carruth
Music byFrank Skinner
Color processEastmancolor
Production
company
Universal Pictures
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release dates
  • October 11, 1957 (1957-10-11) (New York City)
  • October 18, 1957 (1957-10-18) (United States)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1.2 million[1]

My Man Godfrey is a 1957 American CinemaScope comedy film starring June Allyson and David Niven.[2][3] It was adapted by Peter Berneis, William Bowers and Everett Freeman, and directed by Henry Koster. The film is a color remake of Gregory La Cava's 1936 screwball comedy of the same name. Allyson played the role created by Carole Lombard in the original version, and Niven took on the role made famous by William Powell. Niven had played the role of Tommy Gray, Godfrey's former classmate, in a 1938 radio version. While the original film from 1936 did not have its copyright renewed and is in the public domain, this film's copyright was renewed.[a] Both films are derivative works of the still copyrighted 1935 novel by Eric S. Hatch, 1101 Park Avenue.

Plot

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The plot begins as a zany heiress uses and then takes pity on a man whom she believes to be homeless. She insists the man come home with her and gives him a job as the eccentric family's butler—much to the chagrin of her father, especially when it becomes clear the girl is falling in love with the fellow. The family's new butler, however, harbors a secret: he is actually as wealthy as and, in fact, more well-born than they are.

Cast

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Production

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The film was meant to mark the Hollywood debut of O. W. Fischer, but he was fired two weeks into production and was sued by Universal.[4] The film was released on September 6, 2016 as part of the Universal Vault Series on MOD DVD

References

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  1. ^ "Top Grossers of 1958". Variety. January 7, 1959. p. 48. Please note figures are for US and Canada only and are domestic rentals accruing to distributors as opposed to theatre gross
  2. ^ "My Man Godfrey". filmaffinity.com. FilmAffinity. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  3. ^ "My Man Godfrey". afi.com. American Film Institute. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  4. ^ Pryor, Thomas M. (February 21, 1957). "UNIVERSAL SUES ACTOR IT OUSTED: Studio Charges O. W. Fischer With Contract Breach in Filming of 'Godfrey' Huxley to Work on Cartoon". The New York Times. p. 30. ProQuest 113933766. Retrieved February 18, 2023.

Notes

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  1. ^ Under RE0000242777

Bibliography

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