MovieChat Forums > My Man Godfrey (1936) Discussion > Poor Carlo!

Poor Carlo!

posted 16 years ago by MissMcCrocodile
14 replies | jump to latest

Really. What has he done to inspire the wrath of Mr. Bullock and disdain of the daughters Bullock?
Carlo is a wonderful companion for Mrs. Bullock. Note his friendliness and joviality at the Waldorf Ritz scavenger hunt.
His eagerness to educate the Bullocks in regards to all aspects of culture- literature (Greeks of the Middle Ages), poetry, languages and music. His hopes of distracting Mr. Bullock from his finanacial concerns ("the Frankenstein monster that destroys souls!")
His concern regarding Irene's diet. He imitated a gorilla to cheer Irene even though he wasn't "in the mood".
And what does he ask in return? Just the odd morsel and a roof over his head.
Instead he is forcibly removed from the house.
Poor Carlo!

Yes, sir, I'm going to do nothing like she's never been done before!

[–] misspaddylee 16 years ago

Poor Carlo indeed! Mischa Auer made a fan for life of my daughter when I first showed her My Man Godfrey. He will be forever known to her as "monkey man".

"Fortunately, I keep my feathers numbered for just such an emergency."

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Miklos7 15 years ago

He was a freeloader & gigolo and the funniest person in the movie.
Eating constantly....posing against the walls [from acting classes].
Going out the window was also funny.

[–] HarlowMGM 15 years ago

Poor Carlo?? He has no redeeming qualities at all. He's just as Mr. Bullock sees him, a sponge living off the good graces of Mrs. Bullock who thinks she is sponsoring an "artist". We are shown he actually has no talent with his horrendous attempts at music, I find his literature reading affected and probably only done for show, and certainly he has no interest in any of this family other than their ability to pay his way. (He only does his "ape" bit because Mrs. Bullock practically commands him, not for any concern for Irene. Indeed, the ape gag shows us he is not the highbrow he passes himself off as.) Carlo really shows no affection or interest in anyone, not even Mrs. Bullock. Mr. Bullock should have tossed his freedloading butt out long before he did!!

[–] lmchildress 15 years ago

I agree that Carlo is a freeloader; there is more than a hint that his relationship with Mrs. Bullock is that of a gigolo. Mr. B. puts up with him because it was considered sophisticated to overlook indiscretions of that nature in the 30s, at least in movies. If the movie had been made 10 years later, I would bet that Carlo would have been portrayed somewhat differently, if at all.

[–] R_Meyer 15 years ago

I had the feeling that Carlo was gay, did anyone else?

That this was probably known to the Bullock women -- though they probably wouldn't have admitted knowing even to one another -- and the reason why he seemed so unthreatening as a house guest. Even Mr. Bullock probably suspected.

[–] LudwA 14 years ago

really good job by Auer i thought, he plays the part exactly right. sort of calm but crazy.

[–] MissMcCrocodile 14 years ago

Exactly, LudwA! I'm afraid some people took my original post a bit too seriously.

Yes, sir, I'm going to do nothing like she's never been done before!

[–] stevenvh 14 years ago

I had the feeling that Carlo was gay

Oh no, that again...

[–] R_Meyer 14 years ago

I had the feeling that Carlo was gay

Oh no, that again.....

Again?

[–] stevenvh 14 years ago

Well, I sometimes get the impression that in every film some gay character is found. All you need is a man with no attachment to any female and a piano.

--
Rome. By all means, Rome.

[–] zerobeat 13 years ago

Carlo represents some people I've known: "Artists" of the most superficial nature who impress only the truly witless.

[–] FranLovesBetteD 13 years ago

Such an annoying character and performance! This movie would have been a 10/10 in my book hadn't been for Mischa Auer's taking part in it. He always looks and acts creepy. The movie would have been way better without him.

Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop

[–] franzkabuki 12 years ago

Yeah, all the poor schmuck wanted out of life, was a bite to eat...

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan