"She Couldn't Take It," is billed as a comedy, but that may be the funniest thing about it. The opening scenes show some promise for it as such. But, all of the few funny lines are right there, in the beginning. There are a couple of lightly humorous situations after that, and a contrived car chase. But it sinks fast into a jumble of despondency, deviousness, selfishness, self-centeredness, death, and crime. In some places, the screenplay tries to force comedy into these aspects, but to no avail. Most such instances make the film seem even worse.
Considering that this film came out in the middle of the Great Depression, I doubt that many people found it funny. It's a real stretch to find much humor at all. There are barely half a dozen lines of witty or funny dialog. And, except for a car chase or two, there are few antics or scenarios of comedy. Toward the very end, there is one short scene with Carol calling for help, while she's sitting on an unconscious crook hitting him repeatedly on the head with a board.
Too many elements that are not normally associated with comedy are present in this film. And when combined, they overwhelm what little humor there may otherwise be. There's a dad who goes to prison for tax evasion; and no sorry spouse or kids. A spoiled son and daughter always in trouble with the law. A wife who's a spendthrift and grouch. The dad who dies in prison, and no remorseful family members. A murder, a kidnapping, and more.
The movie got negative reviews at the time. The New York Times wrote that while the opening scenes "offer considerable promise for a bright-faced comedy of society foibles," it went downhill fast after Walter Connolly's character died. Indeed, this film finished the year way down at 104th in box office at $1.2 million. Considering the prominent cast the film has, one wonders if it even covered its budget.
The cast is headed by George Raft, on loan from MGM, as Joseph Ricardi. Raft wasn't very adept at comedy and made very few such films. Joan Bennett, one of the leading actresses for the light comedy of the period, is the female lead as Carol Van Dyke. This may be her least funny film, but she also made some good romance and drama films. One of the best comedy actresses for leading and supporting roles was Billie Burke. But she is totally wasted in the role of Mrs. Daniel van Dyke. Other well-known actors in this film are Walter Connolly as Daniel Van Dyke, Lloyd Nolan as Tex, Alan Mowbray as Alan Bartlett and Donald Meek as Uncle Wyndersham.
With all of that talent, this could have been a wonderful comedy. But the story and screenplay would have to have been greatly revised.
Hollywood made many comedies during the years of the Great Depression. Some of the them remain among the best comedies of all time. A large batch of these pre-World War II films were light comedies, usually about the wealthy, either living it up or with romance. Whether these were escapisms, fantasies, diversions or fairy tales, they all provided some comic relief from the hardships and worries of the times. Unfortunately, this film is more of a dud than a comedy.
Among the best lines of this film, very few are funny. But here are the best.
Desk Sergeant: Quite a while since we've had you in here, Miss Van Dyke. Carol Van Dyke: I've been sick.
Daniel Van Dyke: I've spent my entire life trying to stay out of the newspapers, and they spend theirs getting into them. But that's going to change.
Carol Van Dyke: Father, are you sick? Daniel Van Dyke: Yes, I'm sick. I'm sick of you -- sick of all of you.
Daniel Van Dyke: I'm going to follow the advice of my doctors. I'm going away for a rest - a rest from all of you. I'm going to prison for eight long years.
Alan Bartlett: You can't threaten me. I'll call the police. Joseph Ricardi: I'm not threatening you, pal. I'm just telling you.
Carol Van Dyke: There's an old saying, Mr. Wyndersham - it takes a thief to catch a thief.
Considering that this film came out in the middle of the Great Depression, I doubt that many people found it funny. It's a real stretch to find much humor at all. There are barely half a dozen lines of witty or funny dialog. And, except for a car chase or two, there are few antics or scenarios of comedy. Toward the very end, there is one short scene with Carol calling for help, while she's sitting on an unconscious crook hitting him repeatedly on the head with a board.
Too many elements that are not normally associated with comedy are present in this film. And when combined, they overwhelm what little humor there may otherwise be. There's a dad who goes to prison for tax evasion; and no sorry spouse or kids. A spoiled son and daughter always in trouble with the law. A wife who's a spendthrift and grouch. The dad who dies in prison, and no remorseful family members. A murder, a kidnapping, and more.
The movie got negative reviews at the time. The New York Times wrote that while the opening scenes "offer considerable promise for a bright-faced comedy of society foibles," it went downhill fast after Walter Connolly's character died. Indeed, this film finished the year way down at 104th in box office at $1.2 million. Considering the prominent cast the film has, one wonders if it even covered its budget.
The cast is headed by George Raft, on loan from MGM, as Joseph Ricardi. Raft wasn't very adept at comedy and made very few such films. Joan Bennett, one of the leading actresses for the light comedy of the period, is the female lead as Carol Van Dyke. This may be her least funny film, but she also made some good romance and drama films. One of the best comedy actresses for leading and supporting roles was Billie Burke. But she is totally wasted in the role of Mrs. Daniel van Dyke. Other well-known actors in this film are Walter Connolly as Daniel Van Dyke, Lloyd Nolan as Tex, Alan Mowbray as Alan Bartlett and Donald Meek as Uncle Wyndersham.
With all of that talent, this could have been a wonderful comedy. But the story and screenplay would have to have been greatly revised.
Hollywood made many comedies during the years of the Great Depression. Some of the them remain among the best comedies of all time. A large batch of these pre-World War II films were light comedies, usually about the wealthy, either living it up or with romance. Whether these were escapisms, fantasies, diversions or fairy tales, they all provided some comic relief from the hardships and worries of the times. Unfortunately, this film is more of a dud than a comedy.
Among the best lines of this film, very few are funny. But here are the best.
Desk Sergeant: Quite a while since we've had you in here, Miss Van Dyke. Carol Van Dyke: I've been sick.
Daniel Van Dyke: I've spent my entire life trying to stay out of the newspapers, and they spend theirs getting into them. But that's going to change.
Carol Van Dyke: Father, are you sick? Daniel Van Dyke: Yes, I'm sick. I'm sick of you -- sick of all of you.
Daniel Van Dyke: I'm going to follow the advice of my doctors. I'm going away for a rest - a rest from all of you. I'm going to prison for eight long years.
Alan Bartlett: You can't threaten me. I'll call the police. Joseph Ricardi: I'm not threatening you, pal. I'm just telling you.
Carol Van Dyke: There's an old saying, Mr. Wyndersham - it takes a thief to catch a thief.