You Can’t Take it with You – 1938

I had been wanting to watch this movie for some time. I decided that Real Weegie Midget Reviews’ and Taking up Room’s Home Sweet Home blogathon was the perfect opportunity to watch You Can’t Take it with You.

I absolutely loved it and don’t know why I didn’t see it sooner. It’s funny and has a lot of heart. This film really touched me and it is one that I know I will re-watch in the years to come.

Synopsis

Tony Kirby (James Stewart), V.P. of his father’s company, falls in love with his stenographer, Alice Sycamore (Jean Arthur), and wants to marry her. Things get complicated when their families meet and it is revealed that Tony’s father is trying to acquire Alice’s grandfather’s home. His land is the last thing standing in Anthony Sr.’s way of owning the whole block.

James Stewart and Jean Arthur

James Stewart and Jean Arthur are adorable in this movie. He is really funny and this scene made me laugh so much. His timing and expressions make the scene. He is so much fun to watch the entire movie.

This is only my second time really watching Jean Arthur. You can read my post on Too Many Husbands. This movie makes me want to watch Mr. Smith Goes to Washington again. I have seen it, but it’s been so long and I don’t remember it very well. Anyway, I enjoyed Jean just as much in this movie as I did in Too Many Husbands. She is cute and funny as well. The two of them together is just magic. They have great chemistry and play off of each other really well. They look like they had a lot of fun working together.

Adding to their adorableness is this scene where they learn the dance, the Big Apple. I found myself just grinning throughout the whole scene. It is so much fun.

Lionel Barrymore

By only seeing Lionel Barrymore in one movie, I was seriously deprived. He just shines in this movie and his character could not be more different than the grumpy, money-hungry Mr. Potter. In this movie he is a man who has forgone the obsession with money because he realized he “wasn’t having any fun.” He presents some great lessons about life and reminded me not to take the little things for granted.

This scene was also especially powerful for me and directly relates to the blogathon. His home is about more than just a building. He is able to remember his late wife through the house. He remembers her laugh and how she smelled. Leaving the house would be like leaving her behind. His home represents more than just a house.

I also love what Grandpa {Lionel Barrymore} tells Anthony Sr.:

“Maybe it’d stop you trying to be so desperate about making more money than you can ever use? You can’t take it with you, Mr. Kirby. So what good is it? As near as I can see, the only thing you can take with you is the love of your friends.”

This is pretty much the same lesson as It’s a Wonderful Life. Friends/Family are more important than money. Just as Grandpa’s friends gather together to pay his fine, George’s friends in It’s a Wonderful Life gather together money to help him as well.

Ann Miller

I love Ann Miller. She was such a powerful tap dancer, so it’s kind of weird to see her only dance ballet. The toe pointe position was especially hard on her. It was painful and she would cry off-stage. James Stewart noticed and although he didn’t know why she was crying, he would bring her boxes of candy to help her feel better. Despite the pain in her feet, Ann Miller still said the experience of filming this movie was “magical.”

Before watching the movie, I knew that she was just 15, so when they introduce her husband in the movie, it definitely threw me! She does look older than 15 here, but still kind of weird. She is also a good actress here, so I would have bought it if I hadn’t known.

I’m so glad I finally watched this one. It makes you think and it makes you laugh.

Published specifically for Real Weegie Midget Reviews’ and Taking up Room’s Home Sweet Home Blogathon.