It's a Wonderful World (1939)

Touches You

Sadly Over-hyped

Powerful

Beautiful, moving film.

First, the acting is exceptional by everyone in this picture. They all have different performance styles, but they're focused as one great ensemble should be, and it results in one great outcome. Colbert approaches the part of a screwball poetess as an intelligent human being, just as smart as she happens to be daffy if such a thing is possible. The scenes with James Stewart and Guy Kibbee are truly extraordinary; I watched some of it more than once, because they were too good not to rewind and see again. What's going on is that there is a frantic logic; they're playing up the nuttiness of the characters and their situations, but it's smooth and it deeply concentrates on the idea that you can stay in character but still exploit character at the same time. This is where these actors are masterful.There are nice romantic undercurrents between Colbert and Stewart that get a chance to come to the forefront every so often. In particular there are several highly effective scenes during a night time sequence on a boat, where we see the leads share some tenderness before the next set of mix-ups occur. This works because they play it straight even with the silliest dialogue. And casting its kooky shadow over the proceedings is a delirious little murder plot that is so simple and irreverent it's like Hitchcock on laughing gas.Most of the material plays like a series of jittery outbursts, and that is meant in a good way. Examples include Kibbee's "there are bugs on the walls" scene; Colbert's being punched out cold by Stewart and needing smelling salts; Stewart's mad raving as he and Kibbee are being arrested outside the theater; Colbert telling the police inside the squad car she's been working for them and she swears this by her eye, with Kibbee complaining this is no way to play crazy; and the scene near the end where Colbert runs and tackles one of the killers. These are moments that have meaning for the insane in chaos; it's pure pandemonium and pure delight.

So seven years before making my favorite movie, It's a Wonderful Life, Jimmy Stewart made It's a Wonderful World. His leading lady is Claudette Colbert. He's a detective and she's a poetess. They both end up on the run. I'll stop there and just say that while not everything here makes sense, I liked the way everyone just went for broke in terms of characterization and line readings. Wonderful character actors like Nat Pendleton, Guy Kibbee, and Edgar Kennedy add to laughs. So on that note, I recommend It's a Wonderful World. P.S. The main reason I watched this now was because I'm currently reviewing the Our Gang series-and individual films of various team members-in chronological order of which this was next on the list. Besides Kennedy-who played the cop in the Jackie Cooper entries-there's also the presence of former series bully Leonard Kibrick in the role of the boy scout who discovers Stewart and Colbert in the woods.

Private detective Jimmy Stewart is sentenced to prison for helping a client accused of murder. On the train ride to the slammer, Stewart escapes. He takes poetess Claudette Colbert hostage as he tries to follow a lead that may exonerate his client. She's resistant at first but quickly becomes excited by the adventure and decides to help him.Fun screwball comedy with stars in top form and backed up by wonderful cast. Jimmy Stewart is great and has nice chemistry with Claudette Colbert, who's in her element in this type of movie. Good comedic support from Guy Kibbee, Nat Pendleton, and Edgar Kennedy. Frances Drake and Sidney Blackmer play the villains. The bit where Stewart poses as a scout leader is a hilarious highlight. An underrated gem.

Private detective James Stewart (as Guy Johnson) tries to prove a boozy New York millionaire client is not guilty of murder, but finds himself implicated. While serving time for harboring a fugitive, Mr. Stewart happens upon a clue to the real killer's identity. Stewart escapes and kidnaps lady poet Claudette Colbert (as Edwina Corday). She begins to wonder if Stewart could be telling the truth about his attempt to solve the crime. They form an unlikely partnership and Ms. Colbert begins to consider Stewart a romantic prospect. Stewart the sleuth does well posing as a chauffeur, spectacled Boy Scout and actor who wavers from English to "African". Colbert is charming, as usual; possibly, she takes advantage of director W.S. Van Dyke's "one take" reputation by skipping the make-up session which would have given her the bruised face mentioned in the script (by Ben Hecht). Nat Pendleton is very funny as a likable sergeant who can't seem to keep Stewart under arrest, and the dependable Guy Kibbee is fine as Stewart's detective friend.****** It's a Wonderful World (5/19/39) W.S. Van Dyke ~ James Stewart, Claudette Colbert, Guy Kibbee, Nat Pendleton