The Baroness and the Butler 1938
"A Butler can look at a Baroness...but He shouldn't look that way!"
In Walter Lang's sophisticated pre-war comedy-drama *The Baroness and the Butler* (1938), sharp-witted butler Gustav (William Powell) makes an unlikely leap from palace servant to Hungarian parliamentarian—where he finds himself locked in political b...
Director: Walter Lang
Cast
William Powell
Johann Porok
Annabella
Baroness Katrina Marissey
Helen Westley
Countess Sandor
Henry Stephenson
Count Albert Sandor
Joseph Schildkraut
Baron Georg Marissey
J. Edward Bromberg
Zorda
Nigel Bruce
Major Andros
Lynn Bari
Klari - Maid
Maurice Cass
Radio Announcer
Ivan F. Simpson
Count Dormo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Baroness and the Butler (1938) about?
The film follows Gustav, a witty palace butler, who unexpectedly wins a seat in the Hungarian parliament and uses his new platform to challenge his aristocratic employer's government. Along the way, he navigates political intrigue and an unconventional attraction to a baroness, blurring the lines between servant and elite.
Who directed The Baroness and the Butler?
Walter Lang, a director known for stylish comedies and dramas, helmed *The Baroness and the Butler* in 1938, blending satire with romantic flair.
Who stars in The Baroness and the Butler?
The film features William Powell as the sharp butler, Annabella as the elegant baroness, and Joseph Schildkraut as the cunning diplomat, supported by Helen Westley and Henry Stephenson.
Is The Baroness and the Butler (1938) worth watching?
With its breezy 80-minute runtime and Powell's charismatic performance, *The Baroness and the Butler* offers a charming escape into pre-war elegance. While not groundbreaking, it shines as a well-crafted comedy-drama with wit and romance, ideal for fans of classic Hollywood sophistication.
How long is The Baroness and the Butler?
The Baroness and the Butler runs for 80 minutes.
About The Baroness and the Butler (1938) — A clever butler's political rise and forbidden romance sparkle in this pre-war classic
In Walter Lang's sophisticated pre-war comedy-drama *The Baroness and the Butler* (1938), sharp-witted butler Gustav (William Powell) makes an unlikely leap from palace servant to Hungarian parliamentarian—where he finds himself locked in political battle with his own aristocratic employer. This sparkling blend of wit and romance unfolds against a backdrop of gilded drawing rooms and lofty parliamentary debates, where class divisions melt under the heat of clever barbs and unspoken glances. Powell's droll charm shares the screen with Annabella's poised aristocrat and Joseph Schildkraut's scheming diplomat, turning a simple servant's rise into a tart, elegant satire of power and pretension.
Beneath its polished surface, the film explores the friction between duty and desire, tradition and rebellion. The title itself nods to a cheeky double entendre—suggesting forbidden glances across the servant–master divide—while the story pivots on a butler's audacious campaign against the very system that elevated him. With brisk pacing and sparkling dialogue, *The Baroness and the Butler* remains a delightful time capsule of 1930s sophistication and social satire.
