Some things never change, and "She Couldn't Take It" proves we'll always have the idle rich stealing the media spotlight with their idiotic antics. Here we have a pleasing '30s comedy with witty characterizations, nifty dialogue and lots of action. And forget about the tendency of screwball romantic comedies to never allow anything truly bad to happen along the way. We are dealing with gangsters here, after all. Dizzy blonde heiress Carol Van Dyke (Joan Bennett) throws her father's money about freely in a string of attention-seeking exploits, engagements and arrests. Give her a Chihuahua, and she'd be Paris Hilton. Her drunken brother is just as bad, and her mother is the worst of the lot. Their ill father Daniel Van Dyke (Walter Connolly) is actually relieved to be sent to prison on tax evasion in order to get some rest. There, he is sought out by former beer runner Ricardi, who is interested in Dan's business skills but disappointed to find the man such a marshmallow for his out-of-hand family. Ricardi freely offers him advice to rein them in, including smacking the wife in the kisser. On his death bed, Dan coaxes Ricardi, who is about to be released, into accepting the position of trustee to put a leash on the family. It is culture shock for Ricardi, who is determined to turn his life around, and his pal Boston (Wallace Ford). And his main problem is getting Carol under his thumb as she goes to drastic measures to get her own way. The cast is spot on across the board. Bennett takes on the bratty blonde persona surprisingly well. Connolly is excellent, taking his trademark flustered executive in a new direction. Billie Burke, as his wife, really does deserve to smacked in the mouth for her coquettish viciousness. Alan Mowbray is ham perfected as Carol's actor fiancé whose conversation is made up entirely of quotations. He even aims "Julius Caesar"'s "I would rather be a dog, and bay the moon, than such a Roman" at Raft. And, amusingly, Raft gets a chance to spoof him. The movie does belong to Raft, who is quite a kick here and rather self-revealing. Much of the script, in fact, seems constructed around him and exaggerating his real background, with Ricardi being cruelly referred to as a West Side criminal and a "cheap Hell's Kitchen butcher." The scenario of a man with a poverty-stricken, shady background being thrust among the upper crust has a real feel to it because of him. There are actual moments of character development here. Director Tay Garnett shows a nice touch for screwball comedy, even when incorporating murder into the mix. He nicely bookends the story with high-speed cop chases. On that score, there is no real respect for law enforcement, with the cops being mainly buffoons, surely a sign of the times.
7 Reviews
Pretty Good Screwball
boblipton8 February 2020
Walter Connolly's dizzy family is driving him crazy, so when the Feds go after him for tax evasion, he decides it will be a nice vacation from wife Billie Burke and children Joan Bennett and James Blakeley. In prison, he meets up with bootlegger George Raft, who is looking forward to getting out and going straight. When Connolly is dying of a heart attack, he rewrites his will, putting Raft in charge of his estate, to "unspoil" his family. Sparks fly, and after Raft breaks up an impending marriage between Miss Bennett and quote-spouting actor Alan Mowbray, Miss Bennett decides to get her hands on the estate's money by having herself kidnapped by Raft's ex-gang.
Raft is pretty good in this comedy, far more relaxed in his movements and natural in his line delivery than usual. The others in this cast perform very well under the direction of Tay Garnett, especially Wallace Ford in a supporting role as Raft's henchman who can't figure out how to get out of a Chinese Finger Torture. The chemistry between Raft and Miss Bennett is excellent.
Although the final twenty minutes seems a bit rote as the plot turns serious, for most of its length it's a strong screwball comedy.
Raft is pretty good in this comedy, far more relaxed in his movements and natural in his line delivery than usual. The others in this cast perform very well under the direction of Tay Garnett, especially Wallace Ford in a supporting role as Raft's henchman who can't figure out how to get out of a Chinese Finger Torture. The chemistry between Raft and Miss Bennett is excellent.
Although the final twenty minutes seems a bit rote as the plot turns serious, for most of its length it's a strong screwball comedy.
Blend
bkoganbing13 December 2020
Because this a blend of the gangster and screwball comedy genres George Raft's gangster persona fit s well in She Couldn't Take It. Raft is an imprisoned
bootlegger who plans to go straight when he's out.
While in the joint he meets Walter Connolly, tycoon doing a stretch for some white collar crime who has a ditzy family consisting of Billie Burke and children Joan Bennett and James Blakeley. While Connolly does his stretch the wife and kids are making headlines with one madcap bit of lunacy after another.
What Connolly does as he is dying in prison is make Raft the trustee of his estate and kee[er of the purse strings. The family has to learn to live with it.
Some of his old gangster pals seeing a chance to collect try a kidnapping of Joan Bennett. I thin you see where this is going.
Besides Raft the rest of the film is cast nicely. Standing out among the rest are Lloyd Nolan as the creator of the kidnap scheme and Wallace Ford as Raft's luckless sidekick.
Although Joan Bennett is fine in her part as the spoiled heiress, the role really cries for Carole Lombard. Still She Couldn't Take it is a nice example of blended genre.
While in the joint he meets Walter Connolly, tycoon doing a stretch for some white collar crime who has a ditzy family consisting of Billie Burke and children Joan Bennett and James Blakeley. While Connolly does his stretch the wife and kids are making headlines with one madcap bit of lunacy after another.
What Connolly does as he is dying in prison is make Raft the trustee of his estate and kee[er of the purse strings. The family has to learn to live with it.
Some of his old gangster pals seeing a chance to collect try a kidnapping of Joan Bennett. I thin you see where this is going.
Besides Raft the rest of the film is cast nicely. Standing out among the rest are Lloyd Nolan as the creator of the kidnap scheme and Wallace Ford as Raft's luckless sidekick.
Although Joan Bennett is fine in her part as the spoiled heiress, the role really cries for Carole Lombard. Still She Couldn't Take it is a nice example of blended genre.
Taming of the Crew.
mark.waltz16 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
The Van Dyke family is as crazy and ookie as the Addams family, driving its patriarch (Walter Connelly) to voluntarily confess to corporate crimes just to get away from them. Matriarch Billie Burke couldn't save a penny to put sequins back on the designer dresses she can no longer afford, while selfish daughter Joan Bennett becomes engaged to the pompous Alan Mowbray just to maintain her own purse strings. Neer do well son James Blakeley takes over the office and do ends more time playing Frisbee with Hus hat, disturbing Franklin Pangborn with the perfect toss much to his annoyance. In prison, Connelly ends up as cell-mate with bootlegger George Rafy and makes arrangements so Raft will end up in charge of the wastrel family when he gets out of prison.
This screwball comedy, made before "My Man Godfrey" is funny yet predictable, giving Raft and Bennett juicy roles in the leads and Connelly a nice cameo. Such antics as Raft exposing Bennett who is trying to hide her identity and later arranging for a phony kidnapping so he can fleece Mowbray with Bennett's help. The shot of Bennett watching her kidnappers play tidily winks while guarding her is a hoot. Of course, the kidnapping becomes real thanks to another criminal played by Lloyd Nolan. It's moderately amusing, if no classic, and it is obvious that Raft will teach the Van Dykes about self-reliance while Bennett teaches him respectability.
This screwball comedy, made before "My Man Godfrey" is funny yet predictable, giving Raft and Bennett juicy roles in the leads and Connelly a nice cameo. Such antics as Raft exposing Bennett who is trying to hide her identity and later arranging for a phony kidnapping so he can fleece Mowbray with Bennett's help. The shot of Bennett watching her kidnappers play tidily winks while guarding her is a hoot. Of course, the kidnapping becomes real thanks to another criminal played by Lloyd Nolan. It's moderately amusing, if no classic, and it is obvious that Raft will teach the Van Dykes about self-reliance while Bennett teaches him respectability.
A rather strange reworking of the Kooky Family genre
planktonrules8 September 2016
In the 1930s, there were an awful lot of films about kooky families and the rich husbands who were exasperated trying to deal with them. The most famous (and best) of these was "My Man Godfrey" but there were many more. Two actors who made quite a few of these were Billy Burke and Walter Connelly...and they're both in this film. However, despite all the similarities, this one has a lot of differences...and there's a lot of reason to see it even if you think you've seen them all.
When the film begins, Daniel Van Dyke (Connelly) is at his wits end with his awful adult children and wife. They spend money like it grows on trees and are constantly embarrassing themselves in the press. However, Daniel has a way out. This rich businessman happens to be headed to prison for the next five years and it seems like a real relief!
While in prison, Daniel meets Spot Ricardi, a very famous mobster who made his fortune bootlegging. The two become fast friends and Daniel really admires Ricardi because Ricardi is a real man and wouldn't put up with his family doing the sort of crap the Van Dykes were doing! Because of this, when Daniel becomes deathly ill he does something wild...he appoints Ricardi as his executor and trustee. Now, with Ricardi getting out of prison in a few days he'll be able to tell the family to tow the line...or else they'll be cut off without a dime! And, that's exactly what Ricardi does...though Daniel's very hot- headed and foolish daughter (Joan Bennet) decides to come up with a plan to FORCE Ricardi to give her money...and boy, what a stupid plan it turns out to be! It's so stupid that it's up to Ricardi to come to her rescue!
This film definitely surprised me several times--not only with the plot but with some of the casting. Imagine having Donald Meek (a guy who lived up to his name and almost always played wimpy sorts of guys) playing a gangster who says "Give him to me...I wanna try out my new gun"! All in all, a fun and very enjoyable film...one that currently has been posted on YouTube.
When the film begins, Daniel Van Dyke (Connelly) is at his wits end with his awful adult children and wife. They spend money like it grows on trees and are constantly embarrassing themselves in the press. However, Daniel has a way out. This rich businessman happens to be headed to prison for the next five years and it seems like a real relief!
While in prison, Daniel meets Spot Ricardi, a very famous mobster who made his fortune bootlegging. The two become fast friends and Daniel really admires Ricardi because Ricardi is a real man and wouldn't put up with his family doing the sort of crap the Van Dykes were doing! Because of this, when Daniel becomes deathly ill he does something wild...he appoints Ricardi as his executor and trustee. Now, with Ricardi getting out of prison in a few days he'll be able to tell the family to tow the line...or else they'll be cut off without a dime! And, that's exactly what Ricardi does...though Daniel's very hot- headed and foolish daughter (Joan Bennet) decides to come up with a plan to FORCE Ricardi to give her money...and boy, what a stupid plan it turns out to be! It's so stupid that it's up to Ricardi to come to her rescue!
This film definitely surprised me several times--not only with the plot but with some of the casting. Imagine having Donald Meek (a guy who lived up to his name and almost always played wimpy sorts of guys) playing a gangster who says "Give him to me...I wanna try out my new gun"! All in all, a fun and very enjoyable film...one that currently has been posted on YouTube.
Raft in charge but supporters salvage.
st-shot10 December 2016
She couldn't Take It is a sluggish screwball displaying the fair comic talent of Joan Bennett and the bad timing of George Raft. It has a nice Paramount gloss but is vapid in comparison to the sharper play of Loy and Powell, Lombard and Barrymore.
The Van Dykes are the Kardashians of their time, tawdry upper crusts with media's nose up it's anus. Patriarch Daniel Van Dyke has had enough of his kids' and wife's front page shenanigans but ends up in prison doing time where he is befriended by mobster Mo Ricardi (Raft). When Dan Van Dyke is facing his maker in prison he appoints Ricardi the trustee of his vast fortune. Tough love ensues.
Bennet is a fine actress (Scarlet St.) but she is no Lombard in this and Raft looking sharper than anyone of his day about to sabotage his career is as stiff as four day road kill as the questionable Italian slur.
It is left up to a stalwart supporting guest of a touching Walter Connaly the birdbrained but always charming Billie Burke, a pompous ass thespian played by Alan Mowbray and tragicomic turn from Wallace Ford that is disturbing to screwball.
Tay Garnet's direction lags and the film trades along with with little to no comic or romantic punch. Stars that Bennet and Raft might be of the time She Couldn't Take It remains minor league screwball.
The Van Dykes are the Kardashians of their time, tawdry upper crusts with media's nose up it's anus. Patriarch Daniel Van Dyke has had enough of his kids' and wife's front page shenanigans but ends up in prison doing time where he is befriended by mobster Mo Ricardi (Raft). When Dan Van Dyke is facing his maker in prison he appoints Ricardi the trustee of his vast fortune. Tough love ensues.
Bennet is a fine actress (Scarlet St.) but she is no Lombard in this and Raft looking sharper than anyone of his day about to sabotage his career is as stiff as four day road kill as the questionable Italian slur.
It is left up to a stalwart supporting guest of a touching Walter Connaly the birdbrained but always charming Billie Burke, a pompous ass thespian played by Alan Mowbray and tragicomic turn from Wallace Ford that is disturbing to screwball.
Tay Garnet's direction lags and the film trades along with with little to no comic or romantic punch. Stars that Bennet and Raft might be of the time She Couldn't Take It remains minor league screwball.
So little comedy in this jumbled mess of 1935
SimonJack22 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
"She Couldn't Take It," is billed as a comedy, but that may be the funniest thing about it. The opening scenes show some promise for it as such. But, all of the few funny lines are right there, in the beginning. There are a couple of lightly humorous situations after that, and a contrived car chase. But it sinks fast into a jumble of despondency, deviousness, selfishness, self-centeredness, death, and crime. In some places, the screenplay tries to force comedy into these aspects, but to no avail. Most such instances make the film seem even worse.
Considering that this film came out in the middle of the Great Depression, I doubt that many people found it funny. It's a real stretch to find much humor at all. There are barely half a dozen lines of witty or funny dialog. And, except for a car chase or two, there are few antics or scenarios of comedy. Toward the very end, there is one short scene with Carol calling for help, while she's sitting on an unconscious crook hitting him repeatedly on the head with a board.
Too many elements that are not normally associated with comedy are present in this film. And when combined, they overwhelm what little humor there may otherwise be. There's a dad who goes to prison for tax evasion; and no sorry spouse or kids. A spoiled son and daughter always in trouble with the law. A wife who's a spendthrift and grouch. The dad who dies in prison, and no remorseful family members. A murder, a kidnapping, and more.
The movie got negative reviews at the time. The New York Times wrote that while the opening scenes "offer considerable promise for a bright-faced comedy of society foibles," it went downhill fast after Walter Connolly's character died. Indeed, this film finished the year way down at 104th in box office at $1.2 million. Considering the prominent cast the film has, one wonders if it even covered its budget.
The cast is headed by George Raft, on loan from MGM, as Joseph Ricardi. Raft wasn't very adept at comedy and made very few such films. Joan Bennett, one of the leading actresses for the light comedy of the period, is the female lead as Carol Van Dyke. This may be her least funny film, but she also made some good romance and drama films. One of the best comedy actresses for leading and supporting roles was Billie Burke. But she is totally wasted in the role of Mrs. Daniel van Dyke. Other well-known actors in this film are Walter Connolly as Daniel Van Dyke, Lloyd Nolan as Tex, Alan Mowbray as Alan Bartlett and Donald Meek as Uncle Wyndersham.
With all of that talent, this could have been a wonderful comedy. But the story and screenplay would have to have been greatly revised.
Hollywood made many comedies during the years of the Great Depression. Some of the them remain among the best comedies of all time. A large batch of these pre-World War II films were light comedies, usually about the wealthy, either living it up or with romance. Whether these were escapisms, fantasies, diversions or fairy tales, they all provided some comic relief from the hardships and worries of the times. Unfortunately, this film is more of a dud than a comedy.
Among the best lines of this film, very few are funny. But here are the best.
Desk Sergeant: Quite a while since we've had you in here, Miss Van Dyke. Carol Van Dyke: I've been sick.
Daniel Van Dyke: I've spent my entire life trying to stay out of the newspapers, and they spend theirs getting into them. But that's going to change.
Carol Van Dyke: Father, are you sick? Daniel Van Dyke: Yes, I'm sick. I'm sick of you -- sick of all of you.
Daniel Van Dyke: I'm going to follow the advice of my doctors. I'm going away for a rest - a rest from all of you. I'm going to prison for eight long years.
Alan Bartlett: You can't threaten me. I'll call the police. Joseph Ricardi: I'm not threatening you, pal. I'm just telling you.
Carol Van Dyke: There's an old saying, Mr. Wyndersham - it takes a thief to catch a thief.
Considering that this film came out in the middle of the Great Depression, I doubt that many people found it funny. It's a real stretch to find much humor at all. There are barely half a dozen lines of witty or funny dialog. And, except for a car chase or two, there are few antics or scenarios of comedy. Toward the very end, there is one short scene with Carol calling for help, while she's sitting on an unconscious crook hitting him repeatedly on the head with a board.
Too many elements that are not normally associated with comedy are present in this film. And when combined, they overwhelm what little humor there may otherwise be. There's a dad who goes to prison for tax evasion; and no sorry spouse or kids. A spoiled son and daughter always in trouble with the law. A wife who's a spendthrift and grouch. The dad who dies in prison, and no remorseful family members. A murder, a kidnapping, and more.
The movie got negative reviews at the time. The New York Times wrote that while the opening scenes "offer considerable promise for a bright-faced comedy of society foibles," it went downhill fast after Walter Connolly's character died. Indeed, this film finished the year way down at 104th in box office at $1.2 million. Considering the prominent cast the film has, one wonders if it even covered its budget.
The cast is headed by George Raft, on loan from MGM, as Joseph Ricardi. Raft wasn't very adept at comedy and made very few such films. Joan Bennett, one of the leading actresses for the light comedy of the period, is the female lead as Carol Van Dyke. This may be her least funny film, but she also made some good romance and drama films. One of the best comedy actresses for leading and supporting roles was Billie Burke. But she is totally wasted in the role of Mrs. Daniel van Dyke. Other well-known actors in this film are Walter Connolly as Daniel Van Dyke, Lloyd Nolan as Tex, Alan Mowbray as Alan Bartlett and Donald Meek as Uncle Wyndersham.
With all of that talent, this could have been a wonderful comedy. But the story and screenplay would have to have been greatly revised.
Hollywood made many comedies during the years of the Great Depression. Some of the them remain among the best comedies of all time. A large batch of these pre-World War II films were light comedies, usually about the wealthy, either living it up or with romance. Whether these were escapisms, fantasies, diversions or fairy tales, they all provided some comic relief from the hardships and worries of the times. Unfortunately, this film is more of a dud than a comedy.
Among the best lines of this film, very few are funny. But here are the best.
Desk Sergeant: Quite a while since we've had you in here, Miss Van Dyke. Carol Van Dyke: I've been sick.
Daniel Van Dyke: I've spent my entire life trying to stay out of the newspapers, and they spend theirs getting into them. But that's going to change.
Carol Van Dyke: Father, are you sick? Daniel Van Dyke: Yes, I'm sick. I'm sick of you -- sick of all of you.
Daniel Van Dyke: I'm going to follow the advice of my doctors. I'm going away for a rest - a rest from all of you. I'm going to prison for eight long years.
Alan Bartlett: You can't threaten me. I'll call the police. Joseph Ricardi: I'm not threatening you, pal. I'm just telling you.
Carol Van Dyke: There's an old saying, Mr. Wyndersham - it takes a thief to catch a thief.
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