You Can’t Take It with You Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A secretary falls for her boss, whose dad is trying to buy her grandpa’s house, which is full of crazy people who don’t believe in taxes, leading to a chaotic dinner party and surprisingly heartwarming jail time.

🍿 You Can’t Take It with You: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to the Sycamore Family

The Sycamore family, led by patriarch Martin Vanderhof, embraces a life of eccentricity and joy, prioritizing personal passions over financial success. Martin encourages his family to pursue whatever brings them happiness, leading to a household filled with unique hobbies and unconventional lifestyles. His granddaughter, Alice Sycamore, works as a stenographer and is the most ‘normal’ member of the family.

Alice and Tony’s Romance

Alice Sycamore is in love with Tony Kirby, the son of wealthy and influential Wall Street banker Anthony P. Kirby. Tony shares Alice’s affections, but both recognize the stark contrast between their families’ values and lifestyles. Tony worries about how his parents will react to the Sycamores’ unconventional ways, and Alice fears their differences will jeopardize their relationship.

Clash of Cultures

Tony arranges for his parents to meet the Sycamore family, hoping to bridge the gap between their worlds. However, the meeting is a disaster, highlighting the vast differences in their values and expectations. The Kirbys are appalled by the Sycamores’ eccentric behavior and lack of ambition, while the Sycamores find the Kirbys stuffy and materialistic. Alice, humiliated by the encounter, breaks off her engagement with Tony.

Kirby’s Land Acquisition

Anthony P. Kirby is determined to acquire all the properties in a twelve-block area to secure a lucrative munitions deal. Martin Vanderhof’s house is the last holdout, and Kirby’s efforts to buy it are unsuccessful. Unbeknownst to Kirby, his son’s former fiancée, Alice, is Vanderhof’s granddaughter, adding another layer of conflict to the situation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Alice Sycamore (Jean Arthur): A sweet stenographer from an eccentric family, who falls in love with her boss, Tony Kirby.
• Tony Kirby (James Stewart): The son of a wealthy, conservative banker, Anthony P. Kirby, who is in love with Alice Sycamore.
• Martin Vanderhof (Lionel Barrymore): The patriarch of the Sycamore family, who embodies a carefree philosophy and refuses to conform to societal norms.
• Anthony P. Kirby (Edward Arnold): A Wall Street banker obsessed with wealth and status, who clashes with the Sycamore family’s unconventional lifestyle.
• Essie Carmichael (Ann Miller): Alice’s sister, an aspiring but untalented ballerina.
• Penny Sycamore (Spring Byington): Alice’s mother, who writes plays simply because a typewriter was delivered to their house by accident.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Grandpa Martin Vanderhof: “Lincoln said, ‘With malice toward none, with charity to all.’ Nowadays they say, ‘Think the way I do or I’ll bomb the daylights outta you.’” – Grandpa Vanderhof makes this statement when talking about the importance of accepting others and how the current world has become less charitable and tolerant.
• Grandpa Martin Vanderhof: “I can afford to just have fun. That’s what I told them.” – Explaining why he doesn’t work or pay taxes, highlighting his philosophy of prioritizing enjoyment over material wealth.
• Tony Kirby: “Scratch hard enough and you’ll find a proposal.” – Said playfully during a romantic exchange with Alice, hinting at his desire to marry her.
• Grandpa Martin Vanderhof: “Maybe it’ll stop you trying to be so desperate about making more money than you can ever use? You can’t take it with you, Mr. Kirby.” – Said to Mr. Kirby to challenge his obsession with wealth and remind him of the importance of enjoying life.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,644,736
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 You Can’t Take It with You Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘You Can’t Take It with You’! The Sycamore family is so endearing and their free-spirited lifestyle is something I envy. The scene in the courtroom where everyone comes together to support Grandpa Vanderhof made me tear up. This movie reminds me to cherish the simple joys in life and to value the people around me. The scene where Edward Arnold learns to play the harmonica is heartwarming.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood films”
  • “Viewers interested in social commentary”
  • “Those who appreciate heartwarming comedies”
  • “Fans of Frank Capra films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild comedic violence”
  • “Brief depictions of social inequality”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Capra directs with his usual deft touch, and the cast is uniformly excellent. The film is a joyous celebration of individuality and non-conformity. A delightful escape from the mundane.
• New York Times: “A whimsical and charming film that captures the essence of the original play. Lionel Barrymore shines as the eccentric patriarch. A lighthearted and heartwarming tale.
• Hollywood Reporter: “Frank Capra’s magic touch is undeniable. ‘You Can’t Take It with You’ is an enchanting and feel-good movie that celebrates the importance of family and happiness. A timeless classic.

Audience Reactions

The eccentric family dynamics and comedic situations kept me laughing throughout the entire movie.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s lighthearted humor and heartwarming message about valuing happiness over material wealth.

Lionel Barrymore’s performance as Grandpa Vanderhof is both charming and profound.: Fans laud Lionel Barrymore’s portrayal of the wise and benevolent patriarch who embodies the film’s central values.

Overall Consensus: ‘You Can’t Take It With You’ is widely regarded as a classic feel-good movie that celebrates individuality, family, and the pursuit of happiness over material wealth. While some modern viewers may find it somewhat dated, its heartwarming message and charming characters continue to resonate.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Picture)- 1939
2. Academy Award (Best Director)- 1939

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Ann Miller was only 15 years old during filming, and her character’s ballet scenes were painful because she lacked proper training and support in her shoes.”
• “The play ‘You Can’t Take It With You’ had a Broadway run of 838 performances from 1936-1938.”
• “The movie won Best Picture and Best Director, but some critics felt it was undeserved compared to other nominees like ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’.”
• “Lionel Barrymore, known for playing the villainous Mr. Potter in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, plays the warm and lovable Grandpa Vanderhof in this film, showcasing his range as an actor.”

🖥️ How to Watch You Can’t Take It with You?

You Can’t Take It with You is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed You Can’t Take It with You, you might like these similar films:

• It’s a Wonderful Life (1946): Also directed by Frank Capra, shares themes of community, the importance of human connection over wealth, and features Lionel Barrymore.
• Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936): Another Frank Capra film with themes of the common man versus the wealthy elite, and the importance of staying true to oneself.
• Bringing Up Baby (1938): A screwball comedy from the same era with fast-paced dialogue and a focus on eccentric characters.
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006): Features a quirky, unconventional family road trip and promotes celebrating individuality.

🛒 You Can’t Take It with You Related Products

• You Can’t Take It with You (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: High-quality restoration of the film with bonus content, including interviews, documentaries, and essays about the movie and its impact.
• You Can’t Take It with You (1938) – Movie Poster: A vintage movie poster featuring the original artwork from the film’s release, perfect for decorating a home theater or adding to a collection of classic movie memorabilia.
• Frank Capra: The Collection (It Happened One Night / Mr. Deeds Goes to Town / You Can’t Take It with You): A collection of classic Frank Capra films, all available for digital download. Explore the themes and social commentary within.
• Harmonica for Beginners, Kids and Adults, C Key Diatonic Harmonica with Case: High quality harmonica to play along with the scene in the movie

🎧 Soundtrack

You Can’t Take It with You features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Valse Brilliante Op. 34 No 2” – performed by Frédéric Chopin
• “Brahm’s Hungarian Dance Number 5” – performed by Johannes Brahms
• “Polly Wolly Doodle” – performed by Traditional

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Bill Gates Vs Human Calculator

Ever wondered who’d win in a math showdown between Bill Gates and a human calculator? This video puts that to the test! It’s mind-blowing how fast some people can crunch numbers, kind of like the main character in the film.

“I’m not a Minecraft dirt block..”

Need a quick laugh? This short clip is pure comedic gold! I didn’t expect to enjoy it so much, but it’s a fun, unexpected break and will bring a smile to your face.

Can You Sue Your Parents For Breaking Your Stuff?

Thinking about legal rights related to your family or household? This Law By Mike video is funny and thought-provoking. You will think if that happens to the main character of the movie!

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