The second Oscar-winning comedy in the Academy's history was also directed by Capra for Columbia Pictures, You Can't Take It With You, based on George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart's Pulitzer-Prize stage hit, and adapted to the screen by Robert Riskin.
A zany comedy, about a madcap family believing in free enterprise, each member is dedicated to his and her own crazy habits. The picture was nominated for 7 awards, winning two: film and director. It boasts a large excellent cast, of which only Spring Byington was nominated for a supporting role, as Penny, the eccentric mother who starts writing endless plays when a typewriter is left at her house by mistake. Strangely enough, Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur, as the romantic couple, Lionel Barrymore as the charming grandfather, and Edward Arnold, as the stuffy millionaire, were not singled out for their wonderful acting.
Oscar Nominations: 7
Columbia
Picture, produced by Frank Capra
Director: Frank Capra
Screenplay: Robert Riskin
Supporting Actress: Spring Byington
Cinematography: Joseph Walker
Film Editing: Gene Havlick
Sound Recording: John Livadary
Oscar Awards: 2
Picture
Director
Oscar Context
Capra's You Can't Take It With You competed for the Best Picture with none other films: The Adventures of Robin Hood, Alexander's Ragtime Band, Boys Town, The Citadel, Four Daughters, La Grande Illusion (Grand Illusion, Renoir's French film), Jezebel, Pygmalion, and Test Pilot.
Oscar Records
Frank Capra became the first filmmaker to win three Director Oscarsin a very short period of time (1934, 1936, 1938).
