You Can't Take It with You (1938)

A man from a family of rich snobs becomes engaged to a woman from a good-natured but decidedly eccentric family.

Director:

Frank Capra

Writers:

Robert Riskin (screen play), George S. Kaufman (based upon the play by)

Stars:

Jean Arthur, James Stewart, Lionel Barrymore

Won 2 Oscars. Another 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean Arthur	...	Alice Sycamore
Lionel Barrymore	...	Martin Vanderhof
James Stewart	...	Tony Kirby
Edward Arnold	...	Anthony P. Kirby
Mischa Auer	...	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 Kirby
Lillian Yarbo	...	Rheba
Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson	...	Donald (as Eddie Anderson)

Storyline

The stenographer Alice Sycamore is in love with her boss Tony Kirby, who is the vice-president of the powerful company owned by his greedy father Anthony P. Kirby. Kirby Sr. is dealing a monopoly in the trade of weapons, and needs to buy one last house in a twelve block area owned by Alice's grandparent Martin Vanderhof. However, Martin is the patriarch of an anarchic and eccentric family where the members do not care for money but for having fun and making friends. When Tony proposes Alice, she states that it would be mandatory to introduce her simple and lunatic family to the snobbish Kirbys, and Tony decides to visit Alice with his parents one day before the scheduled. There is an inevitable clash of classes and lifestyles, the Kirbys spurn the Sycamores and Alice breaks with Tony, changing the lives of the Kirby family.

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Plot Keywords:

unconventional family | eccentric family | eccentricity | patchwork family | house | 

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Taglines:

The Great Pulitzr Prize Play Now the Screen's Outstanding Picture!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

29 September 1938 (USA)

Also Known As:

Vive como quieras

Filming Locations:

Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios - 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,644,736 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$4,659,913

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,544,247

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor High Fidelity Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shortly before filming began, Lionel Barrymore lost the use of his legs to crippling arthritis and a hip injury. To accommodate him, the script was altered so that his character had a sprained ankle, and Barrymore did the film on crutches.

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Goofs

When Mr. Kirby wrestles Kolenkhov to the floor at the end of the movie, his glasses fall to the floor. In the next shot, as he sitting back in his chair, he is wearing his glasses again.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Doorman: [opening the car door for Kirby] Good morning, Mr. Kirby.
Anthony P. Kirby: Good morning.

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Connections

Referenced in Sing Another Chorus (1941)

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Soundtracks

Valse Brilliante Op. 34 No 2
(1838) (uncredited)
Music by Frédéric Chopin
Played on an xylophone by Dub Taylor

User Reviews

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.