Maps of Movies

You Can't Take It with You (1938)

Where You Can't Take It with You says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

A film about a New York banker's grab for twelve blocks, with no filming location on record anywhere

Scenes and places

Kirby's Wall Street office (1938)

Kirby comes back from Washington with a government-backed munitions monopoly and reveals he has bought the twelve blocks around a rival's factory to squeeze him out. One household still refuses to sell, so he tells his broker to make a huge offer and, if refused, to make trouble for the family.

Set in Kirby and Company, Wall Street — The banker's headquarters, where Kirby returns from Washington with a munitions monopoly.

The name of New York's financial district, used here as shorthand for Kirby's money and power.

The Kirbys meet the Sycamores a day early (1938)

Tony brings his parents a day early on purpose, so that the two families meet as they are. The Sycamores are caught off-guard and the house is chaos, and the Kirbys leave after a disastrous meeting just as the police arrive.

Set in Vanderhof–Sycamore house — The shabby, crowded house that Kirby's twelve-block plan cannot swallow.

The one home in the twelve-block area whose owner will not sell, and the eccentric family living in it.

The drunk tank (1938)

Held in the drunk tank, Mrs. Kirby repeatedly insults Alice and makes her feel unworthy of Tony. Grandpa tells Kirby why friends matter more than business success.

Set in Police station holding cell — The cell where the Kirbys and the Sycamores wait for night court after the arrests.

A police holding cell for those arrested overnight.

Night court (1938)

The judge fines Grandpa $100 for the illegal fireworks, and his neighborhood friends pitch in to pay. When the judge asks why the Kirbys were at the house, Alice speaks up about her engagement to Tony and turns him away because of how his family has treated her.

Set in Night court — The city night court where the arrested families face the judge.

A court that sits at night to hear the overnight arrests.

The board meeting that Kirby leaves (1938)

After the house is sold, the Kirby companies merge and the stock market swings. Kirby, shaken by what a ruined rival told him, abruptly leaves the board meeting where the contract is to be signed.

Set in Kirby company boardroom — The room where the merger of Kirby's companies is to be signed.

The company's top meeting room, where the board and the heads of the merging firms gather.

Moving out day at the Sycamore house (1938)

As the family empties the house, Tony tries to talk to Alice, who locks herself in her room. Kirby arrives and speaks privately with Grandpa.

Set in Vanderhof–Sycamore house — The same house, now being emptied.

The home at the center of the twelve-block dispute, seen in its last hours as the family's.

Characters

• Grandpa Martin Vanderhof — The head of the eccentric household that refuses to sell its house.
• Alice Sycamore — The only relatively normal Sycamore, a stenographer engaged to her boss's son.
• Tony Kirby — The banker's son and company vice president who loves Alice.
• Anthony P. Kirby — A Wall Street banker who buys up a twelve-block area to force out a competitor.