MovieChat Forums > You Can't Take It with You (1938) Discussion > Wonderful and NOT DATED at all

Wonderful and NOT DATED at all

posted 20 years ago by riemann17
9 replies | jump to latest

Frank Capra is my favorite director (now seen 13 of his movies - It's a Wonderful Life is my all-time favorite), and I have been searching for this movie for a while. Luckily I found the video in a small local library.

Not only is it very funny and moving, I marveled at how fresh and relevant it was, some 67 years later. Lionel Barrymore's political musings about everyone having an "ism" was more on target than ever! And his amusing argument with the tax man (Charles Lane, who by the way just turned 100) certainly holds up today (whether viewed seriously or humorously). And there is a scene (in the park) where Jimmy Stewart is talking about this idea he has for solar energy! In 1938!!!

Great cast (most of whom you will see "reincarnated" in Capra's other flics): Jimmy Stewart (tuning up to play Mr Smith the next year, and George Bailey, my hero); Jean Arthur is so adorable (again in Mr Smith...) that I would like to go back in time and marry her; Edward Arnold at his "villainest" best (see him also in Meet John Doe and Mr Smith...); and boy was I shocked by Lionel Barrymore's kindly, wise grandpa (after watching him play mean Mr Potter countless times in It's a Wonderful Life).

[–] willowtree602 20 years ago

I agree. I love this movie and I never tire of it. Ann Miller's dancing never fails to crack me up and I just love the whole wacky bunch of them! It's such a fun movie that I agree has held up very well over the decades. Such a great movie and if anyone is thinking about seeing it, do yourself a huge favour and watch it as soon as you can!

"I was born on the side of a hill"

[–] tryingmysoul 20 years ago

Saw it today for the 4th or 5th time in TMC's bithday salute to L. Barrymore. Just the best. I want to live with this family. The patience, the love, the acceptance of everyone for who they are, or maybe in spite of who they are. Spring Byington-delightfully ditsy. Barrymore-the ultimate grandpa. Edward Arnold-the jaded executive with a secret heart of gold. Ann Miller (whom I usually can't stand)-charming. Jean Arthur and Jimmy Stewart-just excellent. Lovely story. Superb casting.

[–] crittercat 20 years ago

This of course is about the film of "You Can't Take It With You," not the play. The film maintains Kauffman and Hart's wonderfully eccentric family and Grandpa's musings about the body politic ("we haven't used battleships since the Spanish-American War and what did we get out of that? Cuba! And then we gave it back!"). The play, however, is much less a populist tract on the power of the people vs. the ability of the filthy rich to hold sway over history. The mob scenes in the street, the jail cell and the courthouse were added by Capra for the film, as is his wont. It certainly ramps-up the politik heat of the piece beyond Kauffman/Hart's intentions. While the play doesn't play nearly so well today, the film is excellent and certainly cuts sharply in America's current political climate even if only an expression of wishful thinking.

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[–] maggiebodek 20 years ago

I agree with the your assessment of the timeless quality of this marvelous film. I've watched it many times and it has steadily risen to the top of my list of greatest films. Capra was a genius, Jean Arthur should inspire any female actor, and Lionel Barrymore gave one of his loveliest performances. I noticed that the play has had a couple of remakes, and one reader has recast it for the current generation, but Capra's film is the masterpiece. I love feeling good and smiling. In spite of so much self-indulgent cyncism which permeates even our greatest modern films, a crazy family, full of joy and life will forever remind us that some people really do know how to live.

[–] bree-rocks 19 years ago

this movie is soooooo wonderful, i cannot stop watching it, i probably saw it 58 times, at least. i could watch it again while writing, i love it so much.

Rose: Ned was sort of the town idiot.
Sophia: When, on your days off?

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] FizzyGillespie 19 years ago

I think it ranks up there in his Top 5. After all, it did win best picture that year.

"A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin." -H.L. Mencken

[–] BennetDarcy 19 years ago

We have some things in common: our favorite director, and our favorite movie.

[–] hiddenagenda1 11 years ago

I saw it for the first time last year and I loved it. I rate it 10/10.

Volker Flenske: (While torturing David) I don't know why you're doing this to yourself!