It's a Wonderful World

Play trailer

It's a Wonderful World

Released May 19, 1939

1h 26m

Mystery & Thriller

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

Tomatometer

2 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Private eye Guy Johnson (James Stewart) is charged with tracking every move of boozing tycoon Willie Heyward (Ernest Truex) -- and ensuring that the mogul comes to no harm. But Guy runs into trouble when, after a bender, Heyward is accused of murder and Guy gets roped in as an accessory. Desperate to prove his innocence, Guy makes a daring escape from a prison train and, while on the run, kidnaps poet Edwina Corday (Claudette Colbert), who gradually warms to his cause.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

SMH Staff

Sydney Morning Herald

Miss Colbert is an attractive, saucy minx, albeit possessed of too much uncontrolled ardour. James Stewart bungs a mixture of whimsicality and gruffness to his role.

Aug 28, 2020

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Wonderful screwball comedy.

Rated: A-

Mar 19, 2015

Full Review

Read all reviews

Joel H

Even though they share similar titles and both star Jimmy Stewart, I swear by my eyes, It's a Wonderful World has nothing to do with It's a Wonderful Life. One is a timeless Christmas classic and the other, released seven years prior, is a screwball comedy murder mystery that makes one passing reference to Christmas. To be honest, I thought I was going to like it more. However, the story is stretched thin and there's no real chemistry between Stewart and Claudette Colbert. In fact, I feel like the weak link in this movie is Colbert. I enjoyed parts of It's a Wonderful World, but Life is better.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/05/23

Full Review

Steve D

Good premise, great cast, bad script.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/20/23

Full Review

s r

A screwball comedy that has its witty moments.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

not particularly groundbreaking but a bit of fun

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Feels like a rip off of It Happened One Night and other Capra films. Perhaps it's casting of Claudette Colbert? But there is a reason why this film is little known. It's not that memorable.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I didn't think I'd ever encounter screwball couple to rival Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn in "Bringing Up Baby," but James Stewart and Claudette Colbert are so good together it makes me wish they had done more films together. Perhaps they would have if Stewart hadn't gone of to fight in World War II. Colbert is easily one of cinema's greatest comediennes, nobody does a slow-burn like Stewart, and both actors look like they are having the time of their lives. One gag goes on a bit too long, but such things can be forgiven when the chemistry, the writing, and the directing are this good. The supporting cast is a great deal of fun as well, especially Guy Kibbee as Cap Streeter. Highly recommended.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

W. S. Van Dyke II

Director

Claudette Colbert

Edwina Corday

James Stewart

Guy Johnson

Guy Kibbee

Fred "Cap" Streeter

Nat Pendleton

Sergeant Fred Koretz

Frances Drake

Vivian Tarbel

View more photos

Synopsis

Private eye Guy Johnson (James Stewart) is charged with tracking every move of boozing tycoon Willie Heyward (Ernest Truex) -- and ensuring that the mogul comes to no harm. But Guy runs into trouble when, after a bender, Heyward is accused of murder and Guy gets roped in as an accessory. Desperate to prove his innocence, Guy makes a daring escape from a prison train and, while on the run, kidnaps poet Edwina Corday (Claudette Colbert), who gradually warms to his cause.

Director: W. S. Van Dyke II
Producer: Frank Davis
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Loew's Inc.
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 19, 1939, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 24, 2012
Runtime: 1h 26m

Most Popular at Home Now