Sorry, this movie sucks

How sad is this?

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

The acting in this movie is really good.

That Merrily has a plot similar to My Man Godfrey is no reason to think Merrily is the inferior entertainment. Originality is not the supreme goal of the Hollywood factory system. Entertainment is. And Merrily jauntily delivers. It is fresh and hilarious from start to finish. Bennett, whose career was revived with Topper the previous year, has top billing, but Merrily is not a star vehicle. Rather it's an ensemble film with meaty roles for all cast members. Particularly amusing are Clarence Kolb, Alan Mowbray,("I'm quitting and that's final.") and the repetition of the family gathering around the breakfast table and resultant silliness. Another thought on Godfrey ... I prefer Bennett's self-sufficient society girl to Lombard's mentally-deficient society girl. Furthermore, I foresee a happy marriage for Jerry & Rawlins, and a quick divorce for Irene & Godfrey.

Breakfast at a spectacular mansion is disrupted by the disappearance of a tramp, along with the family's silverware. Gesturing wildly, blonde daughter Constance Bennett (as Geraldine "Jerry" Kilbourne) tries to calm everyone down. Meanwhile, a new "tramp" is nearby. After accidentally losing his rickety automobile, seemingly homeless hobo Brian Aherne (as E. Wade Rawlins) arrives to use the phone and is mistaken for a job applicant. Frazzled butler Alan Mowbray (as Grosvenor) try to get rid of Mr. Aherne, but ditsy matriarch Billie Burke (as Emily) insists he stay on as chauffeur. She has a habit of taking in tramps. Aherne cleans up well and attracts romantic attention, most notably from Ms. Bennett. "Merrily We Live" is fast-paced, nicely cast and well produced. It provided Ms. Burke with a well-deserved "Academy Award" nomination for a variation of the fluttery supporting character she often played.****** Merrily We Live (3/4/38) Norman Z. McLeod ~ Brian Aherne, Constance Bennett, Billie Burke, Alan Mowbray

This may well be the funniest movie ever made. My wife and I laughed out load dozens of time while watching it. Clarence Kolb steals the film with his pratfalls - at 64 years old! Alan Mowbray comes close to matching Kolb with his chimes and resignations. The rest of the family are superb. Bonita Granville shines as the hyper active teenager. Billie Burke was never dizzier. Aherne and Bennett make a great couple, fighting hard not to fall in love. The byplay among this great cast is funny and silly but also rings true. I guess there's a little of them in every family.My only regret is that Marjorie Rambeau, a personal favorite, must have had something to say at the party but her lines must have wound up on the cutting room floor.This is a film to enjoy frequently, particularly when you're feeling a bit down. A forgotten treasure.

If you're looking for a screwball comedy, look no further. This is the screwiest! Constance Bennett are sick and tired of mother's habit of taking in tramps and trying to rehabilitate them. So when her latest protégée Ambrose takes off with the family silverware, they say good riddance! Except for Billie Burke, who is so good as the flighty mother, we miss her when she's not on the screen.Enter Brian Aherne whose car broke down and he only wants to use the phone at the closest location. Big mistake entering the Kilbourne estate! Constant mayhem ensues when Billie Burke insists on keeping him. Sense and logic fly out the window, so just sit back and enjoy. Reminiscent of My Man Godfrey and costarring Bonita Granville and Clarence Kolb, this non-stop comedy is too good to miss.