You Can't Take It With You

Released Aug 23, 1938

2h 7m

Comedy

List

94%

79 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Sweet-natured Alice Sycamore (Jean Arthur) falls for banker's son Tony Kirby (James Stewart). But when she invites her snooty prospective in-laws to dinner to give their blessing to the marriage, Alice's peculiar extended family -- including philosophical grandfather Martin Vanderhof (Lionel Barrymore), hapless fledgling ballerina sister Essie (Ann Miller) and fireworks enthusiast father, Paul (Samuel S. Hinds) -- might be too eccentric for the staid Kirbys.

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Critics Consensus

It's predictably uplifting fare from Frank Capra, perhaps the most consciously uplifting of all great American directors -- but thanks to immensely appealing performances and a nimble script, You Can't Take It With You is hard not to love.

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Pablo Y

Frank Capra nos brinda una maravillosa, aleccionadora y divertida historia en la que se entrelazan temas como la conciencia de clase, las ambiciones vitales y los valores humanos. Todos estos elementos convergen en un desenlace que logra transmitir el optimismo necesario que cada persona debe enfrentar en la vida para no perderse en ella en medio de sus desafíos, al mismo tiempo que evita malgastarla en el intento.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/28/23

Full Review

Matthew B

You Can't Take It with You is not one of Frank Capra's best-known films. Yet it was very successful at the time. It had the highest box office figures of any movie that year, and it is the only Capra movie that won Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture. However time has not been kind to its reputation. Critical reviews that I have read about it have been dismissive. The film is not thought to have dated well, and some think it is only of interest as a dry run for better films such as It's a Wonderful Life or Mr Smith Goes to Washington, which also combined a social message with light-hearted comedy. One problem that people have with the film is that it is simply too nice. The quirky family at the heart of the story (the Sycamores) are loveable eccentrics in the same way that the Brewster family are in Arsenic and Old Lace – but what a difference! Behind their veneer of sweetness and charm, the Brewsters are concealing insanity and murder. The Sycamores however are exactly as nice they appear to be. While You Can't Take It with You may not reach the heights of Capra's best work, it should not be dismissed too lightly. The pace may be slow and static at times, and the humour may be a little corny, but the film deserves a place in the list of socially responsible comedies of the era. It is no more soft-hearted or woolly than Capra's best-loved works. Made in the late 1930s, You Can't Take It with You is set against the background of the Great Depression, like many films of the era. 1930s comedies often dealt in class issues, usually with a romance bringing two members of different classes together. This allowed a little escapism and wish fulfilment for financially struggling cinemagoers, and perhaps the chance to see the world of the wealthier classes criticised and turned upside down. In contrast, Grandpa Sycamore's household is packed full of idiosyncratic family members doing their own thing. His daughter writes plays for no better reason than because a typewriter was delivered by accident to the house one day. Her husband plays the xylophone. Other family members dance, mess about with home-made fireworks, or do anything they please. Not all members of the household are even family. A man who arrived to deliver ice to the Sycamores ended up staying as a permanent resident. While waiting to speak to Kirby, Grandpa coaxes a timid accountant called Poppins (Donald Meek) to give up his boring job and move into the Sycamore house to indulge in his real love, which is making toys. This atmosphere of perfect creative freedom and ignoring of conventions makes the Sycamores a more loving and united family. This is in contrast to the Kirbys, where the son finds he can no longer talk to his grasping father, and Tony regrets being made to give up his dreams of harvesting a source of power from the sun. The politics of You Can't Take It with You are muddled, as one might expect from a moviemaker who voted Republican, and yet deplored the corrupting influence of big business and politics. It is uncertain how practical the Sycamores are as an exemplars of better values. With the exception of Alice, they do not work for a living, and indeed Grandpa likens them to lilies of the field, leaving us to wonder about the source of their income. Whatever the source, Grandpa makes an extraordinary statement in which he justifies not paying his income tax. Here the script is wilfully unfair and the only argument that the IRS agent can think of to justify income tax is that it funds battleships and buildings for politicians. Obviously this omits the many positive things that are paid for by tax too. However we do not have to worry too much about the intricacies or impracticalities of what we see on screen. The film presents us with a broader message – that we should have the courage to put personal freedom over selfish individualism, family harmony over filial expectations, community obligations over business interests, and liberating creativity over constricting conventionality. I wrote a longer appreciation of You Can't Take It with You on my blog page if you would like to read more: https://themoviescreenscene.wordpress.com/2018/09/28/you-cant-take-it-with-you-1938/

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/28/23

Full Review

Kyle S

Lionel Barrymore portrays one of the most lovable characters in my opinion of all time. A film full of endearing characters, and the message it delivers that money isn't everything, and the only thing you can take with you when you go is the love of those close to you is something really important to think about.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

Full Review

merick h

One of the great romantic comedies of all time. Full of charm!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

merick h

Charming love story about pursuing your dreams.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

ernst k

I dare you not to find it warm, and positive, and while it might push the bounds of credulity who cares? Writing sharp, performances flawless, and just makes you smile.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Frank Capra

Director

Jean Arthur

Alice Sycamore

Lionel Barrymore

Grandpa Martin Vanderhof

James Stewart

Tony Kirby

Edward Arnold

Anthony P. Kirby

Mischa Auer

Kolenkhov

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You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - You Are So Beautiful

2:59

You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - Crazy Family

2:34

You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - Xylophone & Fireworks

2:07

You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - Making Toys

2:02

You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - Illegal Fireworks

3:06

You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - The Tax Man

2:52

You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - Harmonica Duet

2:29

You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - Quitting the Company

3:10

You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - You Can't Take It With You

3:08

You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - Screaming in Public

3:30

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Mildred Martin

Philadelphia Inquirer

For those who didn't see the play, You Can't Take It With You will provide a merry, not too thoughtless, couple of movie hours.

Feb 8, 2022

Full Review

Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

It may be disappointment that any Frank Capra comedy should be heavy and overdone which makes You Can’t Take It with You seem such a dud.

Feb 8, 2022

Full Review

Edwin Schallert

Los Angeles Times

It's one of the most amusing and satisfying pictures to be seen in months, and certain to be an enormous hit with audiences.

Feb 8, 2022

Full Review

Sean Burns

WBUR’s Arts & Culture

Admittedly, this is one where the Capra corn becomes a bit of an eye roll for me.

Feb 4, 2024

Full Review

Pare Lorentz

McCall's

Capra deserves all the praise he has been given recently for breaking down the script into a fast, entertaining, and always interesting picture.

Oct 30, 2023

Full Review

Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

A perfect and wholesome representation of the late 30s screwball comedy. Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur are a pair of fireworks in this one.

Jun 27, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

Sweet-natured Alice Sycamore (Jean Arthur) falls for banker's son Tony Kirby (James Stewart). But when she invites her snooty prospective in-laws to dinner to give their blessing to the marriage, Alice's peculiar extended family -- including philosophical grandfather Martin Vanderhof (Lionel Barrymore), hapless fledgling ballerina sister Essie (Ann Miller) and fireworks enthusiast father, Paul (Samuel S. Hinds) -- might be too eccentric for the staid Kirbys.

Director: Frank Capra
Screenwriter: George S. Kaufman, Moss Hart, Robert Riskin
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Columbia Pictures
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 23, 1938, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 28, 2015
Runtime: 2h 7m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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