You Can’t Take It With You

Originally published on social media on October 25th, 2022

Rainy days like today are so cozy aren’t they? They make me a little extra grateful for luxuries like warm blankets and televisions where one can watch old black and white films. Black and white films are made infinitely better when watched on a rainy day. Perhaps the smell of the rainy air, the dark clouds in the sky, or the tapping sounds of the rain set a tone that mimics the graininess of black and white films, or establishes a coziness that makes watching old films feel magical.

Either way, I have found myself watching this Frank Capra classic on days like today for the last five years. Here’s why:

- The best way to describe this film is as an older (and not Greek version) of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”. Two families are forced together by the love of one couple, and of course they are complete opposites. Ones quirky and the other is very involved in the business world. This film is great for a laugh and for warming an icy heart.

- James Stewart. Need I say more? He has such a warm and kind demeanor along with a sense of humor that is natural and not over the top. There’s a scene in this film where he dances with street performers and it fills the heart with total joy. He performs alongside two actors who were in other career defining films for Stewart: Lionel Barrymore and Jean Arthur. Do you know films each actor was in with Stewart? Comment below.

- Frank Capra is one of the most well known names of Old Hollywood. Many of his films (including this one) won Academy Awards, and he himself was the president of the academy. Capra’s films are full of heart, comedy and brilliance and create their own tone, which Aaron Sorkin mentioned in his script for “The American President” as “a capraesque quality”. This quality is so famous that it can be found on Dictionary.com, who defines “Capraesque” as “relating to or in the style of the movies of Frank Capra, focusing on courage and its positive effects and the triumph of the underdog”. Famous titles of his include “It’s A Wonderful Life”, “It Happened One Night”, and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”.

The message of this film is in it’s title. Enjoy!