You Cant Take It With You

         Frank Capra’s film You Cant Take It With was released, in 1938 in New York City.  The Story, a play which began on Broadway in 1936 and showed for two years, and preformed over three hundred and eighty times. Written by George S Kaufman and Moss Hart, it was the first play to be made into a film while still being performed.

The romantic comedy takes place in New York City, about two families who are polar opposites. The Kriby’s are wealthy to-good-for-you people, while the Vanderhof’s are an out of control, spontaneous, free spirited bunch.  Not long after the film beings you learn that Kirby is trying to finalize his plans to own an entire neighborhood to beat out his competitors. The final part of the deal is on hold due to Martin Vanderholf (Lionel Barrymore), refusing to sell his home to the banker Anthony P. Kirby. To make the situation worse Kirby’s son and Vanderhof’s granddaughter are in love and plan to be married.  Barrymore’s character lives in his chaotic home with his family and a few extras the came in one day who loved it so much, decided never to leave. With the random dancing, to sporadic firework explosions coming from the basement, there is certainly never a dull moment in this house.

            Vanderhof shows that he is a firm believer in doing what makes you happy in life, feeling that it is pointless to have a job you hate just for the money.  He himself quit his big office job to live his life free to do whatever he felt like doing that day. Throughout the film you see Vanderhof speak of choosing happiness over money and how it can change your life completely. He says, “ The only thing you can take with you is the love of your friends”. Frank Capra does an excellent job of fitting in multiple lessons of this during the film, teaching the viewers that even the richest people in the city can be full of sadness and can be terribly lonely in life.  Wealth is not only measured by money, it can also be measured the love you give out and the love you also receive.  

            The cast of this film is filled with talent on top of talent, James Stewart and Jean Arthur both have appeared in many of Frank Capra’s films such as It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and You Cant Take It With You.  Capra by 1983 had six box office films, and three academy awards for best director.   Capra has experience when it comes to directing romantic comedies, which were often produced in the 1930’s. With The Great Depression in motion the majority of films being released were upbeat with a positive storyline, giving viewers a break from the ongoing worry of the economy crashing to fill their lives with joy even if only four hundred and twenty-six minutes.  

            Frank Capra paints the story of how two families who were completely different and how they came together as one and ended with one singular achievement. Happiness. It is single handedly the one thing that people in this world want the most. You Cant Take It With You kept me on my toes and I could not stop watching the heartwarming story.  With the star cast and the never ending question of what crazy thing is going to happen next, You Cant Take It With You is a classic that will never be forgotten.