You Can't Take It with You1938You Can't Take It with You
1938
Alice Sycamore loves the son of a ruthless Wall Street banker, but her family is gloriously eccentric: they make fireworks in the basement, dance in the parlor, and live as they please under Grandpa Vanderhof's gentle rule. When the two families collide over dinner, and over Grandpa's house, everyone has to decide what a life is really for.
The default: films the whole family can watch together; any scary or intense moments for the littlest viewers are flagged in the Context Notes.
Why it’s here
A grandfather who says grace like he's talking to a friend teaches a rich, driven man that you can't take money with you. It's a warm, funny picture of a home where everyone is welcome.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
The family's eccentricities (fireworks in the basement, Grandpa not paying income tax) are played for comedy, so it's worth explaining what the film honors and what it only laughs at. Period smoking.
You Can't Take It with You (1938)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- What did Grandpa mean when he said "you can't take it with you"?
- Why was Mr. Kirby so unhappy, even though he was rich?
- Would you want to live in the Vanderhof house? Why or why not?
- Which family member made you laugh the most?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 8+: no violence, language, drinking, or sexual content flagged.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
You Can't Take It with You Blu-ray
Blu-ray · March 8, 2016
4K UHD listed on Blu-ray.com (release date unconfirmed)
Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.