You Can’t Take It With You

You Can’t Take It With You, an adaptation of the George S. Kauffman and Moss Hart play, is one of Frank Capra’s best films. The gist of the film is that Tony Kirby (James Stewart) works at his family’s bank. His father, Anthony P. Kirby (Edward Arnold), is returning from Washington, DC with plans for a government-sanctioned munitions monopoly. Grandpa Martin Vanderhof (Lionel Barrymore) is the only person standing in the way of building his…

"You Can’t Take It With You"

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town: A Social Satire

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town is an Oscar-winning screwball comedy and satire about a humble man who inherits millions of dollars. “But, in the opinion of the court, you are not only sane but you’re the sanest man that ever walked into this courtroom.” – Judge May Longfellow Deeds (Gary Cooper) is a humble man living in Mandrake Falls, Vermont during the Great Depression. You would think that his life would change drastically upon inheriting…

"Mr. Deeds Goes to Town: A Social Satire"

Jean Arthur – TCM Summer Under The Stars

Jean Arthur is the second classic movie star to take the spotlight for 24 hours during the TCM Summer Under The Stars series. I’ll have formal reviews running for a few films on Tuesday. However, one that I strongly recommend watching is Frank Capra’s Oscar-winning classic, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Hey, when you’re up against films like Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz, you have to take those Oscars where you…

"Jean Arthur – TCM Summer Under The Stars"

A Foreign Affair: A Post-World War II Rom-Com

A Foreign Affair is a romantic comedy–albeit one that falls under the category of cynical–that takes place in post-World War II Berlin. Iowa congresswoman Phoebe Frost (Jean Arthur) is a part of a committee investigating American troop morale after the war.  Captain John Pringle (John Lund), a fellow Iowan) cynically woos her but he has his reasoning for doing so.  He’s trying to cover up his affair with singer Erika von Schlütow (Marlene Dietrich).  The…

"A Foreign Affair: A Post-World War II Rom-Com"

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Remains A Classic

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington remains a classic over 80 years following its theatrical release and is a part of the Columbia Classics: 4K Ultra HD Collection. While the film has beautifully aged, the same couldn’t be said for its theatrical release in 1939.  It was slammed by many politicians.  Democratic Senate Majority Leader Alben W. Barkley wasn’t among the fans.  Nor was Joseph P. Kennedy, then the American Ambassador to Great Britain.  He was…

"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Remains A Classic"