The Baroness and the Butler (1938) User Reviews

The Butler Goes To Parliament

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 8 April 2011]

To introduce French film star Annabella to American audiences, 20th Century Fox got a European type product as a fitting vehicle for her. And to play the butler who goes to Parliament, Darryl Zanuck obtained the services of William Powell from MGM.

Like that other favorite butler role that Powell essayed in My Man Godfrey, Powell is a butler with a social conscience, a fact he keeps hidden from his employers Henry Stephenson, Helen Westley and their daughter Annabella. How he kept secret the fact that his left wing party has nominated him for a seat in the Hungarian Parliament is beyond me. Nevertheless on election eve the family learns that Stephenson will be returned as Prime Minister and Powell will be occupying a seat on the back bench.

The Baroness And The Butler is the kind of film that would have been made in any number of European countries, a delightful bit of Frou-Frou that definitely did not have any relation to Hungary in 1938 with Admiral Miklos Horthy running things as a fascist learning military dictator. Those parliamentary elections have about as much relevance as those that were still going on in Nazi Germany where Reichstag elections were dutifully held with only one party being allowed to participate.

Still Powell and Annabella are nothing less than charming and capable players and they pull this film through and you can actually enjoy it if you'll completely suspend disbelief. Of course Powell and Annabella are in love, but she's unhappily married to a philandering Joseph Schildkraut. And Schildkraut like Captain O'Shea in Ireland is going to make the scandal make his career. As usual Schildkraut is letter perfect playing the part of an unscrupulous schemer, characteristics he patented at the height of his career.

If you're a fan of the stars you'll enjoy The Baroness And The Butler.

Charming

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 10 April 2011]

"The Baroness and the Butler" is a 1938 film starring William Powell and the French star signed by 20th Century Fox, Annabella, who got the big star buildup from Fox. Little did Darryl F. Zanuck know that she was more interested in matters of the heart than career. When she met and fell in love with Tyrone Power on her next film, "Suez," Zanuck tried to get rid of her by offering her films in Europe. She refused to leave Power (and who could blame her) and the two married, becoming the Brangelina of their era. Zanuck blacklisted her, and there went the star buildup and the big film career.

This is a charming film set in Hungary, about a butler, Johann Porok (Powell) who works for the Prime Minister (Henry Stephenson). The prime minister and his family, particularly his daughter Katrina (Annabella) are shocked when Johann is elected to Parliament - by the opposition party. What's more, he wants to stay on as butler. Meanwhile, Katrina's philandering husband (Josef Schildkraut) has a few political ambitions of his own.

Powell does a smooth job in this film as the elegant butler who is known for his brilliant speeches in Parliament. Stephenson is great as his amused boss, and Schildkraut, who played so many slimeballs, is terrific as usual. Annabella was a wonderful actress, and when her film career took a nosedive thanks to Zanuck, she and Power did radio shows together. Annabella also had a great success on Broadway, did "Liliom" with her husband in Westport Connecticut, and worked tirelessly for the war effort before returning to France when she and Power divorced.

"The Baroness and the Butler" isn't a great film, but it has good performances and a breeziness about it. Enjoyable if predictable.

He buttles his way from the castle to parliament

[SimonJack · 8/10 · 8 December 2018]

This is a fine film in the small category of butler and maid comedies. In most such films, a leading character assumes the identity of a butler for any number of reasons, with madcap comedy resulting. But, "The Baroness and the Butler" is different in that the butler here is a bona fide servant of the Hungarian prime minister. And, he's proud to be the head of the household staff, having followed in the footsteps of his father and ancestors before him. Small injections of satire occur here and there, especially with some subtle pokes at the aristocracy and politics of the period and place.

William Powell plays Johann Porok in the lead role. This is his second time as a butler - having played a wealthy Bostonian in disguise in "My Man Godfrey" of 1936. But, here Powell is a loyal servant who runs a perfect household for Count Albert Sandor and his family. Henry Stephenson plays the count who also happens to be the prime minister, as head of the ruling political party in Hungary.

The film has a talented cast that includes Annabella, the French star who was making her American film debut. She plays Baroness Katrina Marissey, daughter of the Count and Countess Sandor (played by Helen Westley). She is married to Baron Georg Marissey, who is played by Joseph Schildkraut. Nigel Bruce has a nice role as a pompous and bumbling Major Andros.

Porok is so well liked by the count and countess and their family, that he's almost one of the family. Well, not quite, because he's still not of their class. But they fret that Johann has no prospects of marriage, because they want his progeny to continue in the service to their family.

That's the setting when things begin to unravel as Johann wins a seat in parliament in the opposition party. He will continue to work as a devoted servant for the count, but in the parliament he is the leader of the forces that seek to wrest control of the country. Johann's speeches point to the ineptitude of the count and his party. All of this provides a fine mix of light drama and light comedy.

The best part is the relationship between Johann and the baroness. Her demeanor gradually changes from one of indignation at the thought of Johann's rise in status, to one of admiration. And, of course, love has been blooming underneath all of this. The count's role is one of an affable gentleman who admires Johann as well for his political enterprise.

The film has a nice outcome for all. It doesn't have the hilarity of the butler and maid films with mishaps and antics. But, even with a less frivolous setting and plot, this film has some very good humor and fun. It makes a nice addition to a small library of butler and maid comedy films. Here are some favorite lines.

Johann Porok, "This is the last day of parliamentary elections. Those of you who have not voted will be given time to do so today. That is all."

Klari, "Don't you ever get off your high horse and have fun?" Johann Porok, "Klari, don't let your imagination run away with you."

Count Albert Sandor, "Johann, will you kindly break my neck?" Johann Porok, "With pleasure, your excellency."

Baroness Katrina Marissey, "I'm giving a ball." Countess Sandor, "A ball? Oh, you poor child. Do we have to come?"

Baroness Katrina Marissey, "Would you like a smoke?" Johann Porok, "Thank you." Looking at the cigarette he has just taken from the box offered by the baroness, he continues, "Abdulla, with the rose leaf." Baroness, "Mother brought them back for me." Johann, "Yes, I know. I smuggled them across the border in my trunk." Baroness, "Oh."

Not William Powell's best, but worth a look if you're a fan.

[flatrich · 7/10 · 22 July 2000]

An amusing little story that probably worked better on the stage and doesn't appear to have been much of a challenge for any of the cast. Powell fans will enjoy it nonetheless and Anabella is quite stunning, despite her thick accent. More of Nigel Bruce in comedy relief might have helped the film along.

Although 20th Century Fox touted this as a debut film for French star Anabella, her filmography includes two earlier American films for the same studio. A note on the Fox Movie Channel stated that production on The Baroness and the Butler was delayed while Powell mourned for Jean Harlow, who was engaged to him at the time of her death.

Powell gets political as a socialist man servant...

[AlsExGal · 6/10 · 7 June 2023]

... OR "Mr. Godfrey Goes to Budapest". So, yes, it's a pretty obvious rework of "My Man Godfrey" from 1936. But then "The Star of Midnight" and "The Ex Mrs. Bradford" were reworkings of "The Thin Man" formula and they worked.

Johan Porok (William Powell) is a third generation head butler to Count Sandor (Henry Stephenson) and his family. The count praises him for his dedication to "all of the ancient arts" of being a perfect servant. Count Sandor is prime minister of Hungary, so he is naturally interested in the outcome of the parliamentary elections. To his surprise, his butler Johan has been elected to a seat in parliament. Here is my first problem. How could Sandor's own butler be running for parliament and the prime minister not be aware?

Johan ran on the progressive ticket, and the count is a member of the conservative party, so they are at odds politically speaking. And Johan quickly rises to be a leader in his party, largely by regularly skewering his employer's performance in office. Sandor doesn't mind this, but his daughter the titular baroness (Annabella), does seem to mind a great deal. Here's some more weirdness to ponder. The baroness is married to the Baron Georg Marissey (Joseph Schildkraut), but routinely sleeps in her old room at her parents' house. She is apparently somewhat estranged from the baron although not truly separated. With Schildkraut in the part of the baron, one can only assume it is because he is some kind of slimy little weasel - Schildkraut excelled at such roles - but the source of her initial antipathy is never really revealed.

The title and having watched "My Man Godfrey" will somewhat give the outcome away, but how this happens within the bounds of the production code is something you will have to watch and find out yourself. Besides what I already mentioned, there was just something off about this production. For one thing, Annabella's accent makes her almost incomprehensible at times. I also never feel any authenticity in the Baroness' positive feelings towards Johan.

It was fun watching Powell play a politician for a change, though. He is quite the socialist in this production. He advocates redistributing farmland to the peasants - Hey Johan who exactly is going to have to "donate" this land in your scheme? - and he also advocates a reduction in armaments. If Johan recognized the winds of war that were in the air in Europe in1938, perhaps he would want to hold on to those armaments.

I'd say this film is probably a 6.5 rather than a 6 or a 7/10 if I was permitted a score with more granularity.

Romantic Comedy and Political Satire Combine

[loloandpete · 7/10 · 3 January 2021]

A romantic comedy mixed with political satire. Annabelle is an attractive and alluring leading lady opposite William Powell. Nigel Bruce is billed 7th as Major Andros and although he appears in a number of scenes, these appearances are brief. That said, he is in good form as a bufoonish, flirtatious millitary man.

Remains of the Night

[charlytully · 7/10 · 18 April 2011]

This 1938 film, set in an area soon to come under the sway of the Nazi blitzkrieg, perpetuates a dangerous myth which threatens the survival of humanity even today: that the working class can get along with (and even marry into!) the castle owning ilk. Maybe in some alternate universe Adolf Hitler could have settled down with a nice Jewish girl and raised 8 kids; maybe there Donald Trump would hire more people than he fired; maybe there Michigan would have double the number of auto builders today compared to 35 years ago (in reality, there are 90% fewer people on the line now); maybe there the wealthy officers would perform the trench warfare as peasants looked on from distant bunkers with binoculars; maybe there guys in neck ties would not be sitting at desks scheming so hard to "privatize" the streets we travel, the water we drink, and the air we breathe; maybe there the top 1% who owned one-third of everything would not be so envied by the next 9% who had to split another third of everything among themselves that these bitter greed-heads would not feel so compelled to take away more of the final third from the 90% of us who make up the working class, but WE have to live in the universe of here and now.

Go ahead, watch THE BARONESS AND THE BUTLER as pure entertainment, rather than as the actual subversive opiate for the masses that Hollywood has churned out for more than a century. (If movies were "green lit" by real Americans from the working folk, flicks such as THE BARONESS AND THE BUTLER or PRETTY WOMAN would never be made!) Why won't Hollywood tell the truth about the likelihood of a working class lamb lying down peacefully with a top 1% lion? Well, to quote Jack Nicholson, it's because YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH.

An Excellent Forgotten Classic

[CKohls · 10/10 · 6 July 2015]

It is rare that I come upon a classic film I like this much. Comedy, drama, a charming story, all well produced and satisfying. I am not a fan of screwball comedies or slapstick, and a lot of times that's what people think of when they think of classic comedy, which is a shame. Much of the comedy in this film could be used today. William Powell is brilliant as ever. Annabella is stunning. Henry Stephenson is charming. He reminds me of a friendly C. Aubrey Smith. And they were in fact cast together in Little Lord Fountleroy (which, if you haven't seen, is an excellent forgotten classic). I can't recommend this film highly enough. Someone has uploaded it to youtube recently, which is where I watched it.

A strange amalgam of accents and a script that often just doesn't make sense.

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 2 October 2015]

The Baroness and the Butler" is a film set in Hungary. However, the accents by the various actors are confusing to say the least! None of the cast was Hungarian and most of the actors sounded like Americans--with the exception of Joseph Schildkraut (an Austrian) and Annabella (A Frenchwoman, though her accent is bizarre and difficult to understand). I really wish the film was close captioned...it needed it! I also wish the director had re-shot many of Annabella's scenes as she needed to be clearer and easier to understand. She might have been a lovely person in real life--but she was a terrible actress in English language films.

The story is utterly ridiculous--so just be prepared to suspend disbelief and watch. The story is set in the home of the Baron (who is also the Prime Minister) and his privileged family. Their head butler is perfect and efficient (William Powell) and this sense of perfection is thrown for a loop when they learn that this butler was just elected to Parliament--as the opposition leader! How could the butler run for Parliament and NO ONE realize it until he's elected?! Again...you must turn off your brain and just accept this. What you also must not question is the notion that the butler will CONTINUE to be the butler AND lead the opposition at the same time!! It's all completely ludicrous and the only aspect of this silly plot I liked is how it showed just how completely clueless these nobles and their families were. After all, they act as if the butler and all their staff were 100% happy robots! What follows is a strange and even more unbelievable romance that blossoms from out of nowhere-- nowhere except the strange mind of the writer.

So we have a ridiculous story and a leading lady who needs closed captioning. What did I like about the film? Well, as usual, William Powell is impressive even if the script isn't. As usual, he's polished, likable and makes his acting seem natural. He manages to make a crappy script work...kind of.

So how could this have worked well? The butler could have instead come forward about running for office and then the fireworks could have exploded. Then, after winning, the film could have worked just fine. This would have at least taken care of that problem with the script. As for the romance....well, it was simply doomed and shouldn't have been in the film at all.

The divine Annabella

[stateoftheunion · 10/10 · 17 August 2015]

This is a most delightful movie in every sense. And one that deserves to be known far better than it is. The story of a conscientious butler who works for the Prime Minister of his country, Hungry, but, unknown to his employer, has political aspirations of his own.

This is a wonderfully witty script that never flags. And such a fine cast. William Powell is irrepressible as ever as the caring butler who however isn't afraid to speak his mind in parliament when leading his party in opposition to his employer played by Henry Stevenson, whose wry amusement when Powell's character criticises him in front of everybody in Parliament is hilarious.

But the real revelation here is Annabella, who is simply sparkling as the Baroness, who is also the Prime Minister's daughter. Not only is she very beautiful but also a fine actress. Annabella is so vibrant and expressive in this part that she is just a joy to watch in every scene she plays, especially in those with Powell. They had great chemistry. And it would have been nice to see more of them together.

It seems like Zanuck tried to wreck Annabella's career when she became involved with Tyrone Power. What a sad mistake on Zanuck's part as one can clearly see from this movie that Annabella had a style and panache that would surely have made her a great star. This movie is excellent entertainment and well worth seeing.

Baroness and Butler-Politics As Usual **1/2

[edwagreen · 5/10 · 26 April 2011]

Regarding a previous review concerning Joseph Schildkraut as a schemer. This film came out in 1938, the year before Schildkraut was the winner of the best supporting actor award for the Oscar-winning "The Life of Emile Zola." He played Dreyfus in that film and he was anything but a schemer. Ditto 22 years later when he played the memorable father in "The Diary of Anne Frank."

This picture is comical in nature. It takes place in Hungary and we hear the Blue Danube Waltz played at the beginning. Why? Hungary was part of Austria-Hungary until the end of World War 1.

Now that our history lesson is finished, let's get on to the film. It's filled with political satire. William Powell, who made this film in an attempt to get back to work several months later following Jean Harlow's untimely death, plays a butler who is elected to the Hungarian Parliament for the opposing party of the Prime Minister he works for.

Annabella is the married daughter of the P.M. and the two fall in love. Husband Joseph Schildkraut finds out and tries to use this affair to create for himself an important governmental position so that he will not say anything, quietly divorce Annabella and avoid scandal.

Politics is a nasty business. This picture is silly, it could have used the nastiness. Schildkraut could provide fireworks in previous films such as "Marie Antoinette." He doesn't do that here and the film suffers for it.

Henry Stephenson is good as the Prime Minister. He is the definition of the old politician staying in office by saying little. As his wife, Helen Westley is comical.

A simple but entertaining film

[webaker-1 · 8/10 · 20 February 2006]

A charming movie, in particular for those whose film tastes are simple, requiring clean, wholesome entertainment, certainly something rare on the screen in the 21st Century. Powell was Powell, articulate, debonair, and likable. But this was my first view of Annabella; what a lovely creature; more accurately, stunningly beautiful, at least to me. The cast did well depicting the almost unbelievable etiquette that those of us born in or after WW II just do not understand. I guess this was the objective in the simplistic plots of the time--to bring only a sense of peace and pleasure to audiences in a time (WW II) when such peace and pleasures were thought to probably never exist again. I cannot find a lot of information on Annabella, but she apparently had a long and distinguished film career. Too bad I didn't know about her in my youth. The film is certainly another 'feather in the hat' of a time in films that many of us remember and enjoyed.

Strictly From Hungary

[Handlinghandel · 4/10 · 15 January 2006]

William Powell was always suave and charming. He starred in numerous fine and well-known movies. I have a fondness for "I Love You Again" and surely everyone is fond of the Thing Man series.

Here he is challenged by a very peculiar mix in his costars. Annabella's French accent is a little hard to penetrate and strangely not very appealing (to me.) She's pretty, though those board shoulders and muscular arms should not have been showcased in sleeveless gowns. And why is this woman with a French accent Hungarian? And if she is Hungarian, why are her parents an American (Helen Westley) and a Brit? (Her father is played with great charm by Henry Stephenson.) The plot is intriguing -- potentially. Powell is the family butler. Yet he runs for office in opposition to his (slightly improbably approving) master. I didn't notice the opening credits and thought it must be based on a Molnar play. It's not.

The movie is easy to watch. It's far from the worst of its romantic comedy ilk in the 1930s. But it's far from good, as well.

'My man Johann' advances from butler to lover and parliamentarian

[weezeralfalfa · 8/10 · 23 October 2017]

When I read the summary of this film, I immediately thought: This is almost like "My Man Godfrey", all over again. with William Powell again employed as an exemplary butler for part of the film(the first half of the present film, and the last half of the former film.) In both films, Powell has a social conscience, and it's clear he has the potential to rise above his present station, and make a young woman of the household fall in love with him, despite his starchy manner. Although "My Man Godfrey" is much better remembered, I find the two not so different. The main problem I see with this film is the thick French accent of the leading lady: Annabella, which is often virtually unintelligible, this being her first Hollywood film spoken in English. Also, her personality is rather different from that of Carol Lombard, in "My Man Godfrey". By the following year, in "Bridal Suite", her English had considerably improved.

Walter Lang, the director, would go on to direct many of Fox's numerous musical romances over the next 2 decades. ...The indomitable Hellen Westley, as Annabella's society mother, often brings measure of humor to her exuberant personality. ...Henry Stephenson plays his usual role as a grandfatherly, tolerant, gentleman, in the part of Count Sandor, Annabella's father and presently prime minister of Hungary(Why Hungary was chosen as the location of this story escapes me).... Joseph Schildkraut played Annabella's Baron husband, until the ending, when Annabella dumps him for Powell..., Lynn Bari who made a career out of playing 'the other woman' or an evil woman, is a maid. She keeps hinting that she would like to have a relationship with Powell, but he only has eyes for Annabella.

There's quite a bit of humor here, mostly situational. Powell has been doing some political thinking and organizing behind Stephenson's back, becoming leader of the opposition Social Progressive party. Strangely, Stephenson isn't alarmed about this unprecedented situation. In fact, he rationalizes it as possibly beneficial to his role as Prime Minister. Even when, in parliament, Powell chews up the record of the Conservative party and Stephenson's role in particular, Stephenson doesn't seem too upset. However, Powell claims he's going to maintain his position as the family's butler along with his political role. Soon, it becomes clear that this is an impossible combination to carry out(as any sensible person would immediately see). Hence, Stephenson gently fires him, ending a long tradition of service started by Powell's ancestors. This act induces Annabella to speed up her romantic dallying with Powell, inducing her husband to divorce her, as she wishes.

See this charming and funny film at YouTube.

The butler might have done it, but the baroness couldn't take it!

[mark.waltz · 3/10 · 9 November 2018]

What starts off as a promising political comedy ends up a confusing, convoluted mess with a frustrating performance by Annabella, its leading lady, who seemed to be speaking in helium manipulated voices so the audience couldn't understand her. The whole film seems to thrive on its miscasting with Annabella in an over-the-top French accent as the Hungarian daughter of Count Henry Stephenson and Countess Helen Westley, married to Baron Joseph Schildkraut. Stephenson has a distinctive British accent, while Westley is very American, and Schildkraut quite Austrian. Powell, the butler to Stephenson and Westley, has secretly run for parliament on a social progressive platform, and when he wins, conflicts interrupt his regular duties as the conflicts of interest between butler and employer take over and spoiled Annabella gets involved in fighting with Powell even though it is insinuated that they secretly love each other.

The problem here other than the overabundance of misplaced accents and unbelievable family ties is that Powell and Annabella have no chemistry, that her character is spoiled and extremely unlikable, and that good intentions inside the written script don't always come off when the script hits the screen. Outside of Annabella, the cast is fine, with Powell fabulous as always and Westley stealing every scene she is in. J. Edward Bromberg, Nigel Bruce and Lynn Bari provide amusing moments, but the jumbled script never has a concise structure which makes the film often frustrating to get through. The opulence of the Hungarian upper class is well presented by 20th Century Fox's art department, and there's a decent musical score and fast pacing. Even at 80 minutes, I found it slowed down to a complete halt every time Annabella appeared on screen. Had Powell done this at MGM with Luise Rainer in place of Annabella, it might have been a much better film, had MGM done something about the script as well.

Interesting Mix of Class Politics With Budapest

[DKosty123 · 8/10 · 24 April 2020]

This is a Powell film that should be a must see in many ways. Powell is excellent in playing both the Butler and the Politician in a dual role which is rare casting for him. Set in Budapest Hungary using stock footage only for that setting, Darryl Zanuck Fox production is a middle size feature running a little over 80 minutes. It is well scripted and really Powell gives French actress Annabella a better than average introduction.

Imagine having a great butler as prime minister of a country and then one day finding out on the radio that your butler has just been elected to be your most formidable political rival? While it might sound like satire here, this daring script puts a political spin on which is rare for a 1930's feature film. The film is stocked with good supporting players. Nigel Bruce already seems to have Dr. Watson in character here but without Sherlock to play off.

The romance between the Baroness and Butler is developed slowly and carefully only taking form late in the film. The relationship between the Butler and the Prime minister is unique and welcome as it is obvious from the start the Prime Minister leaves something to be desired after being reelected and promising his subjects only bread. Love the speech sequence where Powell points out his short comings with a bit of humor tossed in.

This film is more entertaining than it has any right to be but the script and the cast make this one much better than it has any right to be. The chemistry between Powell and Annabella is pretty well done because it is not rushed and doesn't seem contrived at all. Budapest, Barons, and all, this feature is more entertaining and well done than many pictures. There is a sublime humor here done with just the right touch.

Almost Too Much of a Good Thing!

[JohnHowardReid · 8/10 · 6 December 2015]

Another of Ladislaus Bus-Fekete's Hungarian drawing-room comedies, this one is expertly acted – especially by William Powell, who gives a superbly polished performance that is not outclassed by the super- beautiful and wonderfully vivacious Annabella. It's also very slickly directed by Walter Lang. True, the script – as might be expected from the Hollywood line-up of Sam Hellman, Lamar Trotti and Kathryn Scola – is a trifle too well-served and most definitely overweight, but this problem with the main dish is almost fully disguised by the supporting ensemble: Annabella, radiantly photographed by Arthur Miller (surely the king of Hollywood's cinematographers), with no less a gifted assistant than Joseph La Shelle on the camera itself, plus glistening costumes, radiant sets and a sparkling music score. In fact, The Baroness and the Butler is almost too much of a good thing.

Class war added to battle of the sexes marvelously performed

[morrisonhimself · 10/10 · 16 November 2019]

This very clever and intelligent premise is performed by an extraordinary cast.

There are only two flaws: 1) All the characters are supposed to be Hungarian, but the daughter of the Count and Countess Sandor is the only one with an accent -- and the actress is actually French.

2) No time is set for the story, although it might be contemporary with its production, which is late 1930s, but there is both alleged poverty in the country, though never shown, and wasteful extravagance by the aristocracy. The cure offered for this situation will probably sound familiar to anyone watching the Democrat presidential primary race in 2019: government control and redistribution.

However, the opposition party wanting to end the poverty-stricken situation does want lower taxes, putting it in opposition to the 2019 Democrat Party, also.

There is some wonderful and moving dialogue from the several writers, although the original author seems to be Leslie Bush-Fekete, who probably deserves most of the credit.

Britain went through its class upheaval after The Great War, or World War I, since "mere" servants sometimes became officers while the sons of aristocracy were privates who had to take orders from "the lower classes" and, after the war, it was impossible for that class-distinction situation to return. ("Downton Abbey" dealt beautifully with that premise.)

How conditions and situations in Hungary were, a better historian will have to tell us. But however accurate "The Baroness and the Butler" is, there is truth here even if the facts are wrong.

There is a good print at YouTube and I highly recommend "The Baroness and the Butler" for a poignant and inspiriting 80 minutes.

Nicely drawn characters and sparkling performances

[jarrodmcdonald-1 · 30 July 2022]

This is a gem of a movie. The characters are so believably presented and so expertly performed that it's easy to overlook some of the more far-fetched aspects of the plot. Not that it's too outrageous, but this is after all, a political satire.

In some ways the premise is not outdated. We still have an oligarchy running our government today, represented by moneyed families that find ways to put their relatives into office- to protect their big business interests and other capitalistic enterprises. We also have a working class poor and a marginalized segment of society struggling to gain a toehold in political parties, in order to turn the proverbial tide in their favor.

Our story has William Powell cast as a third-generation butler of a wealthy count (Henry Stephenson) who has been in his excellency's employ for a dozen years. The count is a long-standing parliamentarian who gives vague and uninspired annual speeches to placate the masses and ensure re-election. Only this time, he has a new opponent.

Powell has been elected as a new member of parliament to claim a vacated seat for the labor party. In the law-making chamber, Powell seeks to attack his boss's weak domestic policies.

Part of the humor comes in the fact that Powell refuses to quit his job as a butler. So there is still this pre-established relationship between the two men at the count's estate. But in town, they remain adversaries. In addition to this, we have Powell's ongoing relationships with the count's silly but imperious wife (Helen Westley) and their daughter (French actress Annabella in her U. S. film debut).

The daughter is married to a slick baron (Joseph Schildkraut). Some of what happens involves a triangle between Powell, Schildkraut and Annabella. We learn Powell has wanted to improve his station in life, to impress the count's daughter, since he secretly adores her despite her spoiled behavior. There is a great scene near the end where Powell finally confesses his feelings for the lovely lady. She realizes she shares these feelings, and that her marriage to Schildkraut has been a sham.

This is a comedy about politics, a comedy of manners, a comedy with romance, and a comedy that is able to delight audiences with its nicely drawn characters and its sparkling performances.