The Oscar project- "You can't take it with you"

[blue_lotus13]

The best picture winner in 1938 was Frank Capra's "You can't take it with you.". It was originally based on the Pulitzer prize winning play. Apparently Capra saw the play and decided he should make it into a movie.I really enjoyed this one. Jimmy Stewart plays Tony Kirby, who is the son of a wealthy bank owner. He falls in love with his secretary, Alice Sycamore, who is played by Jean Arthur. (Trivia buffs may remember that this same pair also appears in "Mr. Smith goes to Washington.") Alice comes from a very fun family. The people in her home just spend their days doing things they like. One member dances, another writes plays, and they all create wonderful and fun inventions. If this home existed, I would move right in. The plot thickens when the Kirbys and the Sycamore clan have to meet each other. I won't give too much away, but it's fun. There is a great anti-capitalist message to this film, which I enjoyed. It's strange how much of this film is still relevant. In one scene, Tony Kirby and Alice Sycamore talk about how everyone lives in a culture of fear and how people don't have the courage to do things because they're too worried about money. There are some great lines, including Tony Kirby's line, "You're so beautiful it gags me", which I thought was quite funny.

Lionel Barrymore steals the film in the role of Grandpa. Apparently he was suffering from arthritis at the time of the filming and had to use crutches. The script was altered so he could spend a lot of time sitting in the movie, but his general charisma still steals the scene.

Comments

[zoje-george.livejournal.com]

If this home existed, I would move right in.

YES.

I love Jean Arthur and Jimmy Stewart together.

[charlotterusse.livejournal.com]

i love this movie so much! i like the scene in the park where the kids try to teach them to dance and one of the kids says something like "shake it, sister!"

[idella]

I really like this movie. Alice's household is great. I love the scene where Jimmy Stewart proposes to Jean Arthur, in particular.

[amy-pi.livejournal.com]

We did this play at my high school. I didn't realize there was a movie.