Merrily We Live (1938)

Director:

Norman Z. McLeod

Writers:

Eddie Moran (screenplay) and
Jack Jevne (screenplay)

Release Date:

4 March 1938 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

Dizzy society matron Emily Kilbourne has a habit of hiring ex-cons and hobos as servants. Her latest...

Plot Keywords:

Male Female Relationship | Slap | Family Relationships | Dog | Parrot

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Oscars.

Cast

Constance Bennett	...	Jerry Kilbourne
Brian Aherne	...	E. Wade Rawlins
Alan Mowbray	...	Grosvenor - the Butler
Billie Burke	...	Mrs. Emily Kilbourne
Patsy Kelly	...	Etta
Ann Dvorak	...	Minerva Harlan
Tom Brown	...	Kane Kilbourne
Clarence Kolb	...	Henry Kilbourne
Bonita Granville	...	Marian Kilbourne
Marjorie Rambeau	...	Mrs. Harlan
Phillip Reed	...	Herbert Wheeler
Willie Best	...	George W. Jones
Sidney Bracey	...	Second Butler
Paul Everton	...	Senator Willie Harlan
Marjorie Kane	...	Rosa

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #4033) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Finland:S

Filming Locations:

Arrowhead Hot Spring, California, USA

Company:

Hal Roach Studios Inc.

Trivia:

Although not credited onscreen or noted by reviewers or the SAB, this film is so similar to What a Man (1930) (same plot and even many of the same character names) that the source of the screenplay must surely be the same for both films. Both the 1924 novel "The Dark Chapter; a Comedy of Class Distinctions" by E.J. Rath and the play "They All Want Something" has been added to the writers section. The play opened on Broadway in New York City, New York, USA on 12 October 1926 and closed in December 1926 after 62 performances.

Quotes:

Mrs. Emily Kilbourne: Do you drive a car?
Wade Rawlins: Well, I did.
Mrs. Emily Kilbourne: Oh, but that's wonderful! Ambrose was such a poor driver, they tell me.
Marian Kilbourne: Mother, if you're thinking of asking this... this...!
Mrs. Emily Kilbourne: My mother always told me that children should be seen and not heard.
Marian Kilbourne: Yes, but your mother was smarter than my mother.

Movie Connections:

Version of What a Man (1930)

Soundtrack:

Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! (The Boys Are Marching)

I rarely laugh as much as I did while viewing this movie.

The plot of this movie is interesting because, like so many other movies of its kind, the actor portrays a person who sees what others think of his death. This is just a small segment of the plot, but it causes a viewer to put himself into such a situation. Possibly the most fascinating thing about it is the witty and sparkling dialogue. There are scenes and lines in this movie that tend to appear in my mind when I experience certain situations in my life. I have looked for a copy of it but have yet to find it.