You Can't Take It With You

DVD review from The Movie Snob

You Can't Take It With You (C). I continued my survey of "The Premiere Frank Capra Collection" with this movie, starring an exceedingly young Jimmy Stewart. He plays the only son and heir of a heartless tycoon. Somehow, Stewart's character has grown up to be a decent guy with no interest in business or banking, even though he has been groomed to take over his father's business. Instead, he is in love with his secretary, played by Jean Arthur. His girlfriend, we come to see, lives in a big house full of eccentrics, headed up by Grandpa, played by Lionel Barrymore. When he finally takes his parents to meet her family, fireworks ensue. Will love conquer all? Will the old tycoon see the wisdom of Grandpa's carefree ways? Pretty mediocre stuff, although it is interesting to try to figure out Capra's views on economics, since the Great Depression was still gripping America when this film came out.