Merrily We Live
First screened in June 2013 / Most recently screened in January 2016

---

Director: Norman Z. McLeod. Cast: Constance Bennett, Brian Aherne, Billie Burke, Clarence Kolb, Bonita Granville, Tom Brown, Alan Mowbray, Paul Everton, Ann Dvorak, Phillip Reed, Patsy Kelly, Willie Best, Olin Howland, Marjorie Rambeau, Marjorie Reed, Wilma Cox, Eddie Hart. Screenplay: Eddie Moran and Jack Jevne (based on the novel The Dark Chapter: A Comedy of Class Distinctions by E.J. Rath, which also inspired the play They All Want Something by Courtenay Savage).

---

Twitter Capsule: Fairly rote rich-clan comedy, archly performed by proficient cast of not-quite-A-listers. Why so many Oscar nods?

VOR: ②  Even when actors lend it verve, it's hard to miss what a bald rehash this is of My Man Godfrey hobo-as-servant tropes and You Can't Take It with You-style family farce.

---

Photo © 1938 Metro Goldwyn Mayer/Hal Roach Studios

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: C+

---

Academy Award Nominations:
	Best Supporting Actress: Billie Burke
	Best Cinematography: Norbert Brodine
	Best Art Direction: Charles D. Hall
	Best Sound Recording: Elmer Raguse
	Best Original Song: "Merrily We Live"

---

Permalink

Home

1938

ABC

Blog

E-Mail