You Can’t Take It With You (1938)

This story about class distinctions highlighted by a family of eccentrics was Capra’s third (and last) Best Director Oscar in five years though he did receive two more nominations for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) (which like this film teams Jean Arthur with James Stewart) and It’s A Wonderful Life (1946). It won the Best Picture Oscar and received five other nominations including for Supporting Actress Spring Byington (her only Oscar nomination) and Screenplay Writing. Grand Illusion (1938) was the first foreign language film to be nominated.

Stewart is the son of wealthy businessman Edward Arnold who wants to tear down and develop something "better" than the apartments Stewart’s "girlfriend" (Arthur) lives in with her "crazy" but happy family. Lionel Barrymore plays Arthur’s father the respected member of the "tenement" dwellers which includes Byington dancer Ann Miller Mischa Auer and Samuel Hinds among others. But Arnold has something to learn from his son and Barrymore.

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