You Can't Take It with You (1938)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Frank Capra

Writers:

George S. Kaufman (play) and
Moss Hart (play) ...

Release Date:

26 December 1938 (Denmark)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

You'll love them all for giving you the swellest time you've ever had!

Plot:

A good-natured but decidedly eccentric family meets a new friend.

Plot Keywords:

House | Stenographer | Eccentric | Friend | Love

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 5 nominations

Cast

Jean Arthur	...	Alice Sycamore
Lionel Barrymore	...	Grandpa Martin Vanderhof
James Stewart	...	Tony Kirby
Edward Arnold	...	Anthony P. Kirby
Mischa Auer	...	Boris Kolenkhov
Ann Miller	...	Essie Carmichael
Spring Byington	...	Penny Sycamore
Samuel S. Hinds	...	Paul Sycamore
Donald Meek	...	Poppins
H.B. Warner	...	Ramsey
Halliwell Hobbes	...	DePinna
Dub Taylor	...	Ed Carmichael
Mary Forbes	...	Mrs. Anthony P. Kirby
Lillian Yarbo	...	Rheba
Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson	...	Donald (as Eddie Anderson)

Runtime:

126 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor High Fidelity Sound System)

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-16 | Germany:6 | UK:U | USA:Unrated | Australia:G

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

The Broadway play "You Can't Take It With You" opened at the Booth Theater in New York on December 14, 1936 and ran for 838 performances. The original cast included Jess Barker as Tony Kirby, Margot Stevenson as Alice Sycamore and Henry Travers as Grandpa. Donald, played so memorably in this film by Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, was originally portrayed by Oscar Polk, who later played house servant "Pork" in Gone with the Wind (1939).

Goofs:

Continuity: The position of Mr. Vanderhof's arm on his crutch changes between shots when he apologizes to Mr. Kirby after Kolenkhov wrestles Kirby to the floor.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Doorman: Good morning, Mr. Kirby.
Anthony P. Kirby: Good morning.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Real Ghost Busters: You Can't Take It with You (#2.23)" (1987)

Soundtrack:

Gypsy Dance No.8

Dated but still charming.

This is not the play. This is better.

The madcap adventures of a crazy family during the depression is a life affirming film that shows us that money isn't everything and that yes, you can't take it with you.

One of the joys of this film is the cast Lionel Barrymore, Jimmy Stewart, Ann Miller, Dub Taylor, Edward Arnold, Eddie Rochester Anderson, Misha Auer and just about every great supporting actor and actress under the sun, all acting completely and wonderfully mad. They sell the story and make you smile from ear to ear.

I can't be rational where this film is concerned.

Just see it.

You'll feel good for days.

10 out of 10.