It's a Wonderful World

Released May 19, 1939

1h 26m

Mystery & Thriller

Comedy

List

Reviews

78%

Audience Score

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.

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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

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Wonderful screwball comedy.

Rated: A-

Mar 19, 2015

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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

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Steve D

Good premise, great cast, bad script.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/20/23

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Scott F

Every year I have to watch this at least once during the Holidays. I know this movie word for word. It is my all time favorite classic Christmas movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/03/21

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william k

Hilarious screwball comedy hasn't dated a bit, but it's no surprise having Stewart and Colbert team up to a Ben Hecht script.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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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

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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

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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
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

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