You Can't Take it With You!

Oh what a delightful movie this is! You Can't Take it With You. 1938.

Another wonderful movie directed by my fellow Italian, Frank Capra. Frank Capra was born in Bisacquino, Sicily, Italy...The exact place my Italian grandfather immigrated from. Actually, the two bear a resemblance to one another and were born several years apart as well, both being immigrants. My grandfather came here to America around 1915.

You have got to enjoy those poignant and meaningful Frank Capra films...It's a Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Meet John Doe, Little Shop Around the Corner and many other movie greats. Frank Capra was conservative in his politics, a very patriotic and proud American and was actually part of an anti-communist movement even later in his life.

This is one of our personal family favorites and as I see the materialism that many are tempted by as the Christmas season approaches, not to mention the misplaced priorities that have swept into our society...Please allow me to suggest...Can't Take it With You (1938) ... Laugh and listen to the heart of this movie. I think you too will be blessed and refreshed.

One of the recurring themes of the movie is:

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin... Matthew 6:28


A very valid life question given by Lionel Barrymore...What are you doing that for?

I too would like to ask many... What are you doing that for?

Part I "You Can't Take it With You"


Part II....I have to laugh and laugh when I see this part, it so reminds me of our home in various ways. Ballet dancing in the background, music studio, mom typing up her book manuscript with their family kitten ever so innocently multi-tasking as a "paper weight"....This movie is wonderful stuff indeed.



I'll let the movie speak for itself....As far as I can tell all parts are on youtube at this time.

Please feel free to mute the music on the bottom of the page here.

Enjoy, be blessed and remember.... K.I.S.S. "Keep it simple sweetie!"

Have a wonderful week, ~Amelia

P.S. I have Esther's Marmalade Cake recipe from the heartwarming Mitford book series by Jan Karon as well as the great Nelson Brothers dance routine on: thats-italian "Fred Astaire once called this performance 'the greatest dance number ever filmed.'"

Those Wonderful Years...the 40s

I like what Jimmy Stewart in the part of George Bailey said in It's a Wonderful Life:

Do you know how long it takes a working man to save five thousand dollars? Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you're talking about. They do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn't think so. People were human beings to him, but to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they're cattle. Well, in my book, he died a much richer man than you'll ever be.


George Bailey had it right...

"It's a Wonderful Life" ~1945 Directed by Frank Capra


Speaking of Frank Capra? How is this for an Italian immigrant's success story? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Capra

Frank Capra reminds me much of my Italian grandfather, Vincent Oddo.

Capra was a Republican who was active in the anti-Communist cause and also donated funds to the Human Life Amendment PAC

Before the making of "It's a Wonderful Life"? Jimmy Stewart served our country courageously: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Stewart_(actor) taking a leave from Hollywood as other stars also did: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_Gable

Col. Stewart being awarded the Croix de guerre with palm by Lt. Gen. Henri Valin, chief of Staff of the French Air Force, for his role in the liberation of France. Many of our movie stars went to war during WWII. They voluntarily and proudly supported and served this country. It is shameful what we see now and what this country elected.

The Year? 1944

Speaking of things from the golden days....

Just came across the neatest site, it's all the old Sears house plans they once sold from 1908 to 1921.
This is neat-neat-neat! One thing I noticed right off. The kitchen in even the smallest bungalow is the largest room in the house! The pantry is over TWICE the size of the two bedroom closets! People cooked and enjoyed their kitchens, that was the hub-bub of the home!

Enjoy!
Sears House Plans Index

My, my, my have values changed. As some may know, my husband and two older daughters are Realtors, we own a Real Estate company in an old town. Our office there is in an old convent, it's eclectic, very old, our conference room is in what once was the chapel, a very interesting place where walls have many stories indeed.

There are days where we cannot help but notice the warped material values we sometimes see in families and the sacrifices to Babylon made to keep up with the Jones, only to impress friends and family at the expense of their precious children.

Does it make sense to impress people we don't even care for? My goodness. So many pridefully driven status symbols in this world, education achievements, sought for status of any kind... Who and what are we living for?

Signing out from the old fashioned gal and romanticist who fiercely loves her family.... Coming from a most transparent homeschool mom and hopelessly merciful artist's heart.... ~Amelia