Merrily We Live
- Brian Aherne: Rawlins
- Constance Bennett: Jerry Kilbourne
- Billie Burke: Emily Kilbourne
- Alan Mowbray: Butler Grosvenor
- Tom Brown: Mr. Kilbourne
- Bonita Granville. Marion Kilbourne
- Ann Dvorak: Minerva Harlan
- Paul Everton: Senator Harlan
- Patsy Kelly: Etta
- Clarence Kolb: Henry Kilbourne
- Marjorie Rambeau: Mrs. Harlan
How do we live but happy! ( German reissue title on TV: We're doing so splendidly ) is an American comedy film from 1938, based on the novel The Dark Chapter; A Comedy of Class Distinctions by EJ Rath and the play They All Want Something by Courtenay Savage.
Action
The Kilbournes are a wealthy and eccentric family. Especially mother Emily behaves sometimes very strange if she pursues her hobby of helping prowler. Even setbacks, such as the theft of silverware by one of their charges, they do not keep you from getting to continue to help the helpless. As a filthy man named Rawlins to the House of Kilbournes comes and asks to be allowed to use the phone because his car is broken, Emily sees him as a needy person. She makes him, in spite of the protest of her daughter Jerry, to her new chauffeur. Rawlins is amused and soon he has the women of the house on its side. Only Mr. Kilbourne and the butler Grosvenor remain skeptical.
Mr. Kilbourne tries with the Senator Harlan complete a business. For this he gives a dinner party where also Rawlins is present and is issued by him as a gentleman. Harlan's daughter Minerva is very fond of the man. First, Mr. Kilbourne is concerned that the business unit through Minerva's enthusiasm in danger. But soon he realizes that Rawlins has supported the negotiations.
When the newspapers report that the well-known writer E. Wade Rawlins was killed in a car accident near the Kilbourne estate - killed Emily Jerry and the maid fall because of the hoax in a swoon. Mr. Kilbourne and his younger daughter Marion trying unsuccessfully to bring the ladies back to himself. Only Rawlins succeeds in waking Jerry. Both is clear that they love each other. Grosvenor, who is of the opinion that Emily's Marauders are better treated than himself, grabs his backpack and walk to the street.
Criticism
The lexicon of the International film described the film as " technically perfect, fast-paced screwball comedy that entertains entertaining. "
The Variety praised the ability of the director to leave the jokes to escalate each other, with the most laughs derived by the Art Billie Burke.
Awards
1939, the film was nominated for five Oscars but could not win. The nominations were in the categories of Best Supporting Actress ( Billie Burke), Best Cinematography ( Norbert Brodine ), Best Art Direction (Charles D. Hall ), Best Sound ( Elmer Raguse ) and Best Song ( Merrily We Live by Phil Charig and Arthur Quenzer ).
Background
The premiere of the film had on March 4, 1938. In the German Reich was how we shall live happy! Christmas time 1938 in the cinemas. In post-war Germany, the film was released under the new title We're doing splendidly yes on 8 March 1992 in the framework of a television premiere at the transmitter Sat 1
The novel and the play are not mentioned in the credits as a template. But a film from the year 1930 ( What A Man) by George J. Crone, which tells the same story and has the same role name, lists the relevant drafts on as the basis for the screenplay.
Actress Constance Bennett had recently thanks to the success of the comedy Topper - The blond ghost started a comeback. Producer Hal Roach wanted to take advantage of the newly awakened awareness and could for us geht's magnificently situated next to Bennett and director McLeod also Billie Burke, Alan Mowbray, Norbert Brodine, the author team Jevne / Moran and the cutter Terhune commit.