Molly and Me


Molly and Me is a 1945 American comedy film directed by Lewis Seiler, starring Monty Woolley, Gracie Fields, Reginald Gardiner and Roddy McDowall and released by 20th Century Fox. The screenplay was based on the novel written by Frances Marion and adapted by Roger Burford.

Plot

In 1937 London, struggling vaudeville actress Molly Barry grows tired of searching for roles and applies for a job as housekeeper for upper class gentleman John Graham. She informs her friends and fellow actors, Lily and Julia, about her plans, but since she does not have any housekeeping references, she convinces former exotic dancer Kitty Goode, who has married into the peerage, to act as a fake reference.
Graham's butler, Peabody, interview Molly, but when Kitty shows up, he recognizes her because he himself is former actor Harry Phillips, who left the profession because of a drinking problem he has since conquered. He then remembers Molly from her theatre work. Peabody does not want another former actor in the household.
Desperate, Molly persuades Peabody to join a party at a pub, where he falls off the wagon. She brings the half-unconscious man back to the Graham house, occupies the housekeeper's room, and in the morning informs Mr. Graham that Peabody has hired her. Peabody has no other alternative but to go along.
Graham's old friend, Jamie McDougall, asks him to stand again for Parliament. Graham is reluctant to do so and shows an old newspaper clipping to McDougall, reminding him that Graham ended his political career to avoid public disgrace after his wife ran off with a "sportsman." McDougall burns the clipping in the fireplace and tells Graham it all happened 15 years ago and will not be remembered.
Graham is convinced to travel to Suffolk to meet a man who could be of great help in his election bid, with Peabody acting as his chauffeur. While they are gone, Molly discovers that the domestic staff all steal from the household. When she confronts them, they threaten to quit en masse, but she sacks them instead. Molly puts the house in order by herself. From a fragment of the clipping she finds in the fireplace, Molly learns the truth about Graham's ex-wife, who went abroad because of the scandal.
That night, Graham's teenage son Jimmy unexpectedly returns home from prep school. Jimmy suffers from a fever and Molly takes care of him. Jimmy confides in Molly his difficulties with his father. While he was young, Jimmy was told that his mother died and is convinced that Graham does not like him because he is a constant reminder of it.
The next day, Peabody sends Molly a telegram telling her to prepare a formal dinner to which influential Sir Arthur Burroughs, publisher of a big London newspaper, will be a guest. Unable to find professional help on short notice, Molly hires her theatre friends.
Peabody recognizes them, but has to accept their services. Despite their numerous mistakes, the dinner is a success. The new staff celebrates in the kitchen, particularly pleased that the common English fare Molly improvised for dinner instead of food "of subtlety and distinction" impressed Sir Arthur much more. Jimmy joins their celebration. Graham comes down to the kitchen to congratulate them, but overhears Jimmy imitating his gruff pomposity and sour outlook. He sends Jimmy to bed and sacks the staff, including Peabody, when he learns from Molly that they are former entertainers. Molly uses the opportunity to scold Graham for being a poor father to his teenage son. By the next morning, Graham has thought over matters and gives his delighted son permission to re-hire the staff.
The former Mrs. Graham makes an unexpected appearance to extort £1000 from her former husband. Molly tells her he is asleep, but promises to inform him of the sum she wants. Molly tells Graham that "something has happened," but before she can go into detail, he assures her that he has full confidence in her ability to fix any problem. To keep Graham from ever learning of the extortion attempt and Jimmy from discovering the truth about his mother, Molly uses her friends to fool Mrs. Graham into thinking that she has been a participant in a shooting death. Mrs. Graham flees the country.
Later that same evening, Mr. Graham and Jimmy return home after attending a theater performance and are greeted by the staff. Mr. Graham comments that he and his son had an exciting night and that probably the staff found theirs dull in comparison. Jimmy promises to tell Mrs. Barry all about it in the morning and everyone but Mrs. Barry and Mr. Graham disperses.
Mr. Graham then remarks that he has been spoiled by Mrs. Barry’s late night snacks and wonders if she could fix him another one. Obviously delighted, she agrees and asks if he would like it in his study. He recalls that the kitchen is a cozy space and would like it there if possible and Mrs. Barry says it will be ready in a jiffy.
The final scene shows Mrs. Barry arranging the table and humming a tune. Mr. Graham comes down the steps and asks for the words to be sung as well. She happily obliges, with Mr. Graham joining in. He then gets her a teacup, pulls out her chair and they sit together, singing the final line of the song in duet and promising many more happy times in the future.

Cast