Oscar Anniversaries: Kitty (1946)

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A sort of Pygmalion set in the late 1700s in London. Paulette Goddard is Kitty, a guttersnipe who is discovered by a painter, Gainsborough (Cecil Kallaway). After having her portrait painted, Gainsborough displays her portrait but keeps her identity anonymous. Not only does the portrait interest several members of the nobility, but also the eyes of Hugh Marcy (Ray Milland), a penniless gentleman who is now jobless due to a scandal involving his work in the foreign office.

Hugh had actually met Kitty while she was sitting for her portrait, and offers her a job as his scullery maid. He lives with his aunt, and after discovering her impoverished life, they both decide to train her and pass her off as a proper lady, hoping to marry her to the Duke in exchange for Hugh's job back.

She does move up in nobility, mingling with (and marrying into) the higher classes, all the while Hugh, having once seen her as a social project for his own personal gain, abandons that selfishness and begins to fall in love with her.

More a comedy than a drama, and Goddard proves she has the acting skills to deliver a charming performance complete with a keen bit of wit and physical comedy. Her comedic line deliveries are on point! Constance Collier, who plays Hugh's Aunt Susan, is equally as funny, hilariously blending witty dialogue with her drunken character. The scenes with Hugh and his Aunt Susan training Kitty are the highlight, inspired by Pygmalion, and simply wonderful.

The film sets were Oscar- nominated, and they are exquisite. But the costumes are as well, and even more so. Absolutely gorgeous costume designs that should have also received at least an Oscar-nomination that year.

***.5 /*****

Oscar Nominations

Best Art Direction

Nominations Deserved

Genre: Comedy/Musical

Best Actress (Goddard)

Best Supporting Actress (Collier)

Best Adapted Screenplay

Best Art-Direction

Best Costume Design

Overall

Best Art Direction

Best Costume Design