MovieChat Forums > My Man Godfrey (1936) Discussion > Is Powell best ever comedic drunk?

Is Powell best ever comedic drunk?

posted 14 years ago by tim-764-291856
7 replies | jump to latest

Actors being comedically drunk and being very good at it are rare. Charlie Chaplin was my first memory, his antics made the world laugh.

Dudley Moore in Arthur is probably the best known film with a very funny drunk being the lead. As he was in "10".

I nominate William Powell though, not just his fairly short drunken scene as butler in My Man Godfrey, but for The Thin Man, also. Sublimely choreographed it all looks so natural and believable. Like Dudley Moore, charming as pie, he made being drunk 'good'.

Any other candidates? Or thoughts on my suggestion?

[–] JTGleason 14 years ago

Foster Brooks?

[–] HarlowMGM 13 years ago

My choices for best comedic drunks are actually female - Lucille Ball in her hilarious Vitametavegamin episode of I LOVE LUCY (also honorable mention for Lucy in YOURS MINE AND OURS in a not disimilar situation) and Mary Pickford in the silent classic DADDY LONG LEGS, though both ladies are "accidental" drunks, unaware they have been knocking down alcohol.

[–] geoff_182 12 years ago

One that comes to mind for me is Cary Grant in North by Northwest

[–] ang-son 11 years ago

No, I vote for Dudley Moore, as well.

[–] chalo4279 11 years ago

When he was serving the family and clicking his heels at each person, I thought was a riot. Love William Powell.

[–] FilmCuckoo 9 years ago

My vote would go to Lee Marvin in "Cat Ballou" (1965), it has got to be the best comedic drunk performance of all time. Just think of that introductory scene, where he is asked to prove his skills with a gun - it's absolutely hilarious, you can almost smell his breath, when he delivers the line, asking for a drink "If I could just get a little nip, you know... please!" Although, I must admit that William Powell was great in the first three Thin Man films, and the classic "Walk-this-way" scene in "After The Thin Man" (1936) is the best version of the gag because of Powell's brilliance in comic acting.

[–] joystar5879 9 years ago

I have to give a Major League, GRAND SLAM Shout OUT to Mr. Jack Norton! He was Hollywood's most famous "drunk"...having played the role just shy of 200 times.

If you ever see a mustaschioed little man in "White Tie", holding on to a lamp post for dear life...That's Jack.

You'll spot him applauding Gene Kelly, Rita Hayworth and Phil Silvers in the "MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW" Dance.

JACK NORTON NEVER TOUCHED A DROP OF ALCOHOL IN HIS LIFE.

I do hope he won't upset Henry...