You Can't Take It With You

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You Can't Take It With You

1938

2h 7m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

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78 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

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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Mildred Martin

Philadelphia Inquirer

02/08/2022

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.

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Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

02/08/2022

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.

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Edwin Schallert

Los Angeles Times

02/08/2022

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

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Sean Burns

WBUR’s Arts & Culture

02/04/2024

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

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Pare Lorentz

McCall's

10/30/2023

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

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Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

06/27/2023

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

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Christian K

@ckacar Jan 18

Relieved to arrive at the Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur level of best picture winners. Frank Capra certainly has a firm viewpoint and style as this is thematically very similar to 'It's a Wonderful Life'.

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acsdoug D

@acsdoug Oct 16

A real feel good movie with an excellent cast, including the always brilliant Edward Arnold. Kind of a precursor to It's a Wonderful Life.

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Jason R

@RT07709094 Oct 6

One of the best 'classics' from this era of films, the entire cast do a great job to make this film shine, in particular the beautiful presence of Jean Arthur and her chemistry with James Stewart is great to watch as those two interact throughout the film.

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Ed .

@RT01276001 Aug 29

It's a wonderful movie. To be frank, I would have capped the film at around 95 minutes. This is a perfect movie for ladies of leisure, gentlemen also, to watch rain or shine. Acting performances are all on point. Any criticism is forbidden.

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thiago s

@Thiagostone 04/28/2025

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, a história é fraca, os personagens sao fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes para fazer o filme ser bom.

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Judith B

@brookesjudith 10/24/2024

I loved this old film full of odd characters fighting against city slickers and bankers. Jimmy Stewart was young and tall and handsome and very enjoyable to watch. It was over two hours long but the time flew by. It is a must watch.

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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

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 - Quitting the Company

3:10

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

2:29

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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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)