You Can't Take It with You
The stenographer Alice Sycamore is in love with her boss Tony Kirby, who is the vice-president of the powerful company owned by his greedy father Anthony P. Kirby. Kirby Sr. is dealing a monopoly in the trade of weapons, and needs to buy one last house in a twelve block area owned by Alice's grandparent Martin Vanderhof. However, Martin is the patriarch of an anarchic and eccentric family where the members do not care for money but for having fun and making friends. When Tony proposes Alice, she states that it would be mandatory to introduce her simple and lunatic family to the snobbish Kirbys, and Tony decides to visit Alice with his parents one day before the scheduled. There is an inevitable clash of classes and lifestyles, the Kirbys spurn the Sycamores and Alice breaks with Tony, changing the lives of the Kirby family.
Despite its limited budget of $1.6M, You Can't Take It with You became a box office success, earning $7.4M worldwide—a 352% return. The film's unconventional structure resonated with audiences, showing that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
You Can't Take It with You (1938) demonstrates deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Frank Capra's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 6 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The eccentric Sycamore family lives joyfully in their chaotic household, each pursuing their passions without concern for money or convention. Grandpa Martin Vanderhof presides over this happy kingdom of individualists.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Alice Sycamore, the only "normal" member of her family, reveals she's in love with her boss Tony Kirby, son of the powerful banker Anthony P. Kirby. Two incompatible worlds are about to collide.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Alice accepts Tony's proposal and agrees to have the families meet for dinner. She actively chooses to bridge her two worlds, despite her fears, committing to making the relationship work., moving from reaction to action.
At 64 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The disastrous dinner party: Tony deliberately brings his parents on the wrong night, the Sycamores are unprepared, fireworks explode in the basement, and everyone is arrested. Alice's worst fears realized - complete humiliation and the families at war., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 94 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Alice breaks off the engagement, believing the two worlds can never reconcile. She prepares to leave town. Tony is devastated. The Sycamore family's joy dies - even Grandpa loses his characteristic optimism and happiness., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 100 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Grandpa Vanderhof confronts Mr. Kirby directly, making him see that his pursuit of wealth has cost him everything meaningful - his son's respect, his own happiness, his humanity. Kirby has an epiphany about what truly matters., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
You Can't Take It with You's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping You Can't Take It with You against these established plot points, we can identify how Frank Capra utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish You Can't Take It with You within the comedy genre.
Frank Capra's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Frank Capra films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.1, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. You Can't Take It with You represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Frank Capra filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Frank Capra analyses, see It's A Wonderful Life, Arsenic and Old Lace and Pocketful of Miracles.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The eccentric Sycamore family lives joyfully in their chaotic household, each pursuing their passions without concern for money or convention. Grandpa Martin Vanderhof presides over this happy kingdom of individualists.
Theme
Grandpa tells Mr. Poppins: "You can't take it with you" - money and possessions mean nothing compared to happiness and doing what you love. This becomes the central thematic question: what truly matters in life?
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Sycamore household: Penny writes plays, Essie dances ballet badly, Ed plays xylophone, Paul makes fireworks in the basement. Contrast established with the rigid, wealthy Kirby family and their banking empire.
Disruption
Alice Sycamore, the only "normal" member of her family, reveals she's in love with her boss Tony Kirby, son of the powerful banker Anthony P. Kirby. Two incompatible worlds are about to collide.
Resistance
Alice debates whether their relationship can work given their family differences. Tony proposes and insists their families must meet. Alice resists, knowing her family will embarrass her, while Tony remains optimistic and determined.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Alice accepts Tony's proposal and agrees to have the families meet for dinner. She actively chooses to bridge her two worlds, despite her fears, committing to making the relationship work.
Mirror World
Tony takes Alice to his family's mansion, where she meets his cold, status-obsessed parents. Tony represents the thematic mirror - he loves Alice because she and her family embody the authentic life he craves.
Premise
The fun of watching two opposite families clash. The Kirbys' stiff formality versus the Sycamores' chaotic warmth. Alice tries to maintain dignity while her family is unapologetically themselves. Grandpa's wisdom challenges Mr. Kirby's values.
Midpoint
The disastrous dinner party: Tony deliberately brings his parents on the wrong night, the Sycamores are unprepared, fireworks explode in the basement, and everyone is arrested. Alice's worst fears realized - complete humiliation and the families at war.
Opposition
Mrs. Kirby schemes to break up Tony and Alice. The Sycamore house is threatened by Kirby's business machinations. Alice feels caught between her family and her love. Pressure mounts as Mr. Kirby's ruthless business nature is revealed.
Collapse
Alice breaks off the engagement, believing the two worlds can never reconcile. She prepares to leave town. Tony is devastated. The Sycamore family's joy dies - even Grandpa loses his characteristic optimism and happiness.
Crisis
The Sycamore household falls into depression. For the first time, they stop doing what they love. Grandpa confronts his own failure and realizes he must reach Mr. Kirby. The death of joy itself hangs over the house.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Grandpa Vanderhof confronts Mr. Kirby directly, making him see that his pursuit of wealth has cost him everything meaningful - his son's respect, his own happiness, his humanity. Kirby has an epiphany about what truly matters.
Synthesis
Mr. Kirby abandons his business deal, reconciles with his son, and embraces the Sycamore philosophy. The families unite. Tony and Alice reunite. The values of authentic living triumph over materialism and social convention.
Transformation
Mr. Kirby plays harmonica with the Sycamore family in their chaotic, joyful home. The former titan of industry has been transformed, now understanding that "you can't take it with you" - happiness and love are the only true wealth.