In the book, he /is/ cool! But the movie went nuts with his character and made him very un-butler-like. It was insulting, indeed.

Well, I've seen the one with John Barrymore and the one with Spencer Tracy so far; I've actually had more success with random abridged versions and cameos so far than I have with actual films. But I shall seek it out next, indeed I shall, and tell you immediately.