The Housekeeper’s Daughter is a screwball comedy about Hilda, the naïve daughter of a housekeeper, who becomes involved with a group of eccentric characters after being hired as a maid by a wealthy family. Her innocence and charm clash with a household filled with odd personalities, gangsters, and misunderstandings, leading to a whirlwind of comic situations.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Hal Roach
Hal Roach (1892–1992) was an American film and television producer and director, best known as the “King of Comedy” for creating and producing classic shorts and features. He launched the careers of Harold Lloyd and the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy, as well as producing the beloved Our Gang (Little Rascals) series. Roach was renowned for his ability to blend slapstick with character-driven humor. By the late 1930s, he also directed and produced feature-length comedies such as Topper (1937) and The Housekeeper’s Daughter (1939).
Star Cast:
- Joan Bennett as Hilda
- Adolphe Menjou as Robert Reginald
- John Hubbard as Jimmy Frobisher
- William Gargan as Gregory
- Victor Mature as Tommy
- Donald Meek as Professor Orth
- George E. Stone as Benny
- Peggy Wood as Martha
The film was warmly received as a lively screwball comedy with witty dialogue and strong performances. Joan Bennett’s comedic timing was praised, while Victor Mature, in one of his early roles, began to gain attention from audiences. Critics noted its zany energy and offbeat humor, making it a lighthearted success during its release.
Fun Facts:
- This was one of Victor Mature’s early film roles, helping launch him toward stardom in the 1940s and 1950s.
- Hal Roach, known mainly as a producer, directed relatively few films himself, making this feature notable within his career.
- Joan Bennett, who starred as Hilda, would later become better known for her femme fatale roles in film noir classics like Scarlet Street (1945) and The Woman in the Window (1944).
- The film mixed gangster comedy with screwball elements, a reflection of Hollywood’s interest in hybrid genres during the late 1930s.
- Roach’s reputation as a comedy innovator ensured the film carried the hallmark of quick pacing and eccentric character ensembles.
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