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You Can't Take It With You

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94% Tomatometer 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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You Can't Take It With You

You Can't Take It With You

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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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Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Blake- N @PBSAniDom 5d You Can't Take It with You is a perfect film from Columbia Pictures, blending warmth, comedy, and heartfelt storytelling into something endlessly charming. It feels like a celebration of individuality and joy, anchored by a wonderfully eccentric ensemble cast. Under the direction of Frank Capra, the film delivers a seamless mix of humor and sincerity. Capra’s touch brings out both the chaos of the unconventional family and the rigidity of the outside world, creating a contrast that is always engaging without ever feeling heavy-handed. Overall, it’s a timeless classic that still feels fresh and uplifting today. Everything about it works in harmony, making it an easy 10/10 for me. See more 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'. See more 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. See more 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. See more 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. See more 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. See more Read all reviews
You Can't Take It With You

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Cast & Crew

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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

Movie Clips

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You Can't Take It With You

You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - You Are So Beautiful 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 You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - Crazy Family 2:34 You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - Xylophone & Fireworks You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - Xylophone & Fireworks 2:07 You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - Making Toys You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - Making Toys 2:02 You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - Illegal Fireworks 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 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 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 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 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 You Can't Take It With You: Official Clip - Screaming in Public 3:30 View more videos

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You Can't Take It With You

A scene from Columbia Pictures' "You Can't Take It With You." A scene from Columbia Pictures' "You Can't Take It With You." A scene from Columbia Pictures' "You Can't Take It With You." A scene from Columbia Pictures' "You Can't Take It With You." A scene from Columbia Pictures' "You Can't Take It With You." A signed publicity still from the 1938 Academy Award®-winning film "You Can't Take It with You." Ann Miller and Dub Taylor, featured here in a scene still from "You Can't Take It with You," played Essie and Ed Carmichael. You Can't Take It With You (1938) View more photos

Movie Info

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)