You Can't Take It With You

James Stewart and Jean Arthur star in Frank Capra's adaptation of the 1937 Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway play by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman. The pair make a delightful romantic couple (and were reunited in Capra's next film, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington), while Lionel Barrymore costars as Alice Sycamore's (Arthur) wonderfully eccentric grandfather—the patriarch of a creative, crazy extended family (which includes Ann Miller, Spring Byington, and memorable character actors Donald Meek and Mischa Auer). Stewart plays Tony Kirby, the son of a businessman (Edward Arnold) who refuses to accept these addled free spirits as future in-laws. Capra directs the household scenes with high energy, creating spirited screwball comedy from their shenanigans, but he and screenwriter Robert Riskin replace the unhinged anarchy of the play with sentimental Capra-corn. Now, the story turns on a battle of wills between embrace-the moment-everyman Barrymore and bitter king of capitalism Arnold, spending so much effort hammering home Capra's own populist point that it misses the spirit of the original material. The film won Best Picture and Best Director Oscars in 1938—Capra's third and final gold statue for directing—and it was a popular hit upon release, but it hasn't aged as well as Capra's superior films, including It Happened One Night and It's a Wonderful Life. Even so, the snappy dialogue, fine cast, and energetic direction still make this an entertaining film, one sure to appeal to fans of classic Hollywood comedies. Extras include audio commentary by Frank Capra Jr. and author Cathrine Kellison, and a retrospective featurette. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)