11. You Can’t Take It with You (1938)

Director: Frank Capra

Starring: Jean Arthur, James Stewart, Lionel Barrymore

Other Oscar Wins: Best Director

Other Oscar Nominations: Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Spring Byington), Best Writing, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Film Editing

Favourite Line: "Well, maybe I am, but I used to be just like you once. Then one morning, when I was going up in the elevator... it struck me I wasn't having any fun. So I came right down and never went back. Yes, sir. That was 35 years ago."

A scene from You Can't Take It with You.

 Frank Capra's You Can't Take It with You is a charming comedy of a rich young man who falls in love with a middle class girl with an eccentric family. When the families meet for dinner, chaos ensues, and neither likes the other very much.

This was a rather enjoyable film with a wonderful cast including the incomparable James Stewart and Lionel Barrymore. Lionel Barrymore plays the Grandfather of the Sycamore family, who believes that the important things in life are friendship and having fun. It is his endearing and lovely performance that ties the whole film together and who drives the story. His performance certainly stood out for me, and he did an absolutely wonderful job of his role.

Art by Olly Moss.

A couple interesting facts about You Can't Take It with You. Shortly before filming, Lionel Barrymore was unable to use his legs due to arthritis and a hip injury, and so the script was changed to say that Grandfather had sprained his ankle riding down the banister, and Barrymore did the film on crutches. Another interesting fact is that Ann Miller, who plays Jean Arthur's dancing sister, was required to wear ballet pointe shoes several times during the film. She was only 15 at the time and the shoes were very painful, so she would hide and cry between takes. James Stewart found her, not knowing why she was crying, but would offer her boxes of candy to cheer her up.

All in all, You Can't Take It with You is a lovely film about camaraderie and living life in a way that makes you happy.