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Merrily We Live

  • 19381938
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
1.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Brian Aherne and Constance Bennett in Merrily We Live (1938)
Dizzy society matron 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.
Play trailer2:15
1 Video
40 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Romance

Dizzy society matron 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... Read allDizzy society matron 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.Dizzy society matron 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.

IMDb RATING
7.3/10
1.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Norman Z. McLeod
  • Writers
    • Eddie Moran(screen play)
    • Jack Jevne(screen play)
    • E.J. Rath(novel "The Dark Chapter; a Comedy of Class Distinctions")
  • Stars
    • Constance Bennett
    • Brian Aherne
    • Alan Mowbray
Top credits
  • Director
    • Norman Z. McLeod
  • Writers
    • Eddie Moran(screen play)
    • Jack Jevne(screen play)
    • E.J. Rath(novel "The Dark Chapter; a Comedy of Class Distinctions")
  • Stars
    • Constance Bennett
    • Brian Aherne
    • Alan Mowbray
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 59User reviews
    • 15Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 5 Oscars
      • 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Blu-ray Trailer
    Trailer 2:15
    Blu-ray Trailer

    Photos40

    Brian Aherne and Constance Bennett in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Tom Brown, Bonita Granville, and Clarence Kolb in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Constance Bennett in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Constance Bennett in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Constance Bennett in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Constance Bennett in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Brian Aherne and Constance Bennett in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Billie Burke in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Constance Bennett, Bonita Granville, and Clarence Kolb in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Constance Bennett and Clarence Kolb in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Constance Bennett, Bonita Granville, and Alan Mowbray in Merrily We Live (1938)
    Brian Aherne and Constance Bennett in Merrily We Live (1938)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Constance Bennett
    Constance Bennett
    • Jerry Kilbourneas Jerry Kilbourne
    Brian Aherne
    Brian Aherne
    • Wade Rawlinsas Wade Rawlins
    Alan Mowbray
    Alan Mowbray
    • Grosvenor (butler)as Grosvenor (butler)
    Billie Burke
    Billie Burke
    • Mrs. Kilbourneas Mrs. Kilbourne
    Patsy Kelly
    Patsy Kelly
    • Ettaas Etta
    Ann Dvorak
    Ann Dvorak
    • Minerva Harlanas Minerva Harlan
    Tom Brown
    Tom Brown
    • Kane Kilbourneas Kane Kilbourne
    Clarence Kolb
    Clarence Kolb
    • Mr. Kilbourneas Mr. Kilbourne
    Bonita Granville
    Bonita Granville
    • Marion Kilbourneas Marion Kilbourne
    Marjorie Rambeau
    Marjorie Rambeau
    • Mrs. Harlanas Mrs. Harlan
    Phillip Reed
    Phillip Reed
    • Herbert Wheeleras Herbert Wheeler
    Willie Best
    Willie Best
    • Georgeas George
    Sidney Bracey
    Sidney Bracey
    • 2nd Butleras 2nd Butler
    Paul Everton
    Paul Everton
    • Senator Harlanas Senator Harlan
    Marjorie Kane
    Marjorie Kane
    • Rosaas Rosa
    Wilma Cox
    • Mrs. Remingtonas Mrs. Remington
    • (uncredited)
    Sarah Edwards
    Sarah Edwards
    • Mrs. Flemingas Mrs. Fleming
    • (uncredited)
    Pat Flaherty
    Pat Flaherty
    • Pat - Police Officeras Pat - Police Officer
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Norman Z. McLeod
    • Writers
      • Eddie Moran(screen play)
      • Jack Jevne(screen play)
      • E.J. Rath(novel "The Dark Chapter; a Comedy of Class Distinctions") (uncredited)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Dizzy society matron 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. —Daniel Bubbeo <dbubbeo@cmp.com>
    • screwball comedy
    • mansion
    • butler
    • fainting
    • stealing silverware
    • 78 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Come on in...the fun's grand...and the romance glorious...when a glamor girl and a "gentleman tramp" romp dizzily into love. (Print Ad- Staunton Star-Times, ((Staunton, Ills.)) 14 April 1938)
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • Passed
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Alan Mowbray, Billie Burke, and Constance Bennett had worked on director Norman Z. McLeod's previous film, Topper (1937). The commercial and critical success of Topper played a large role in their inclusion in this film.
    • Goofs
      When Jerry and Marian are rushing down the stairs near the beginning of the film, a shadow of the boom microphone is visible on the wall to the left.
    • Quotes

      Marian Kilbourne: [Introducing the two Great Danes] How do you do? I'd like you to meet my dogs. This dog's name is "Get Off The Rug." His name is "You, Too!"

    • Crazy credits
      Behind the opening credits, the cast walks arm in arm up the driveway towards the camera.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 56th Annual Academy Awards (1984)
    • Soundtracks
      Merrily We Live
      (1938)

      Music by Phil Charig

      Lyrics by Arthur Quenzer

      Sung by an offscreen chorus during the opening and closing credits

    User reviews59

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    A Very Merry Movie
    A highly intelligent ‘tramp' is hired to become chauffeur for an eccentric, wealthy family.

    MERRILY WE LIVE is a prime example of a tremendously funny screwball comedy which has become undeservedly obscure with the passage of time. Bright & breezy, with snappy dialogue and some wonderful performances, it is a complete delight. The production values are excellent and the film's free spirit is perfectly encapsulated by the opening shot in which the principal cast marches arm-in-arm along the estate's long driveway while the credits and title song role.

    Suave, sophisticated and just a wee bit naughty, British Brian Aherne is the perfect match for crisply cool blonde Constance Bennett. Their growing attraction to each other, hidden behind a rivalry for intellectual dominance, is great fun to watch. This ‘hobo' has much to teach the rich girl about life & love.

    A very fine supporting cast offers much to the film's enjoyment. In one of her best roles, dithering Billie Burke, as Miss Bennett's utterly out-of-touch mother, is a complete joy. Alan Mowbray plays the proper English butler who experiences frequent bouts of emotional distress. Ensconced in the kitchen, tough-talking Patsy Kelly is the family's cook with a strong yen to stir-up some romance with handsome Aherne.

    Impressively agile Clarence Kolb is Miss Burke's grumpy husband. Tom Brown & Bonita Granville are their two younger, spoiled children. Philip Reed plays a bullying society Lothario interested in Miss Bennett. Ann Dvorak is a senator's headstrong daughter who usually gets what she wants and what she wants now is Aherne.

    Even the smaller character roles can be fun: watch for Sidney Bracey as a sour-faced temporary butler & Willie Best as a very frightened country store janitor.
    helpful•59
    6
    • Ron Oliver
    • May 26, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 4, 1938 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Dark Chapter
    • Filming locations
      • Riviera Country Club - 1250 Capri Drive, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Hal Roach Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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