You Can't Take It With You (1979)

A young lady (Blythe Danner) is reluctant to introduce the man (Barry Bostwick) she is in love with to her working class eccentric family. Their unconventional and nonconformist ways clash with his staid upbringing and his upper class parents (Robert Mandan, Polly Holliday). Based on the play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart (which was adapted into a 1938 Oscar winning film) and directed by Paul Bogart (THE SKIN GAME). A very popular play among the high school and community theatre groups where it's performed frequently. I don't care much for it and I'm not a fan of Frank Capra's beloved film version. While I appreciate the enthusiasm of this version's cast, director Bogart's pacing kills it. Farce should be rapid but here, everything seems just a beat behind where it should be. I found the family of nuts off putting rather than an amusing bunch of lunatics. A few actors manage to stand out: Polly Holliday's matron has some nice subtle double takes and Mildred Natwick as a Russian Grand Duchess now working as a waitress brings some welcome dignity to the proceedings. With Art Carney, Jean Stapleton, Paul Sand, Joyce Van Patten, Beth Howland, Eugene Roche, Marla Gibbs, Harry Morgan and Tim Reid.