Meet the Vanderhofs - the zaniest, happiest family ever to grace the screen. They have a simple philosophy for living “Nothing is worth doing if you can’t enjoy it - and when it’s over you can’t take it with you”. Head of this eccentric clan is Grandpa, (Lionel Barrymore) who has decided to devote the rest of his life to having fun because he has enough money. Matters become complicated when his granddaughter (Jean Arthur) falls in love with James Stewart, son of a tycoon (Edward Arnold), who wants the Vanderhof property to expand his business. Wholesome, homespun, appealing and touching this screwball Capra comedy won two Academy Awards in 1938 for Best Picture and Best Direction.
Content notification
Our collection comprises over 40,000 moving image works, acquired and catalogued between the 1940s and early 2000s. As a result, some items may reflect outdated, offensive and possibly harmful views and opinions. ACMI is working to identify and redress such usages.
Learn more about our collection and our collection policy here. If you come across harmful content on our website that you would like to report, let us know.
How to watch
Stream, rent or buy via
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
306004
Language
English
Audience classification
G
Subject categories
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Black and White
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)