VividSimon Simply Perfect

Invaderbank The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Loui Blair It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Freeman This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

jarrodmcdonald-1 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.

mmallon4 The first 10 minutes of It's a Wonderful World is just rather dull set up for an incomprehensible murder mystery, but when Stewart becomes a fugitive on the run trying to prove his innocence and Claudette Colbert enters the picture it's all smooth sailing even with the largely impossible to understand plot.James Stewart is Guy Johnson, a hardboiled detective who often has a cigarette hanging at the end of his mouth like he's Phillip Marlow. The role is a very different change of pace for Stewart but he pulls it off showing he could have easily slipped into a noir/detective thriller. Stewart even channels Clark Gable at times; with even the way he talks to a dog shouting at it to go away is very Gable-like. On top of that, at one point he admits to Colbert's character that he thinks "all dames are dumb and all men ain't" and how she has changed his philosophy on women; don't tell the feminists. I also have to ask does this movie contain Stewart's only ever black face moment in a film? So yes, the on screen personification of a boy scout is now literally poking fun at boy scouts and even tying them up. Claudette Colbert on the other hand plays an overly trusting eccentric poet who states throughout the film, "I swear by my eyes". What does that even mean?It's a Wonderful World offers a genre mix of screwball comedy, murder mystery and even some elements of Hitchcock with the plot of a fugitive on the run to prove his innocence. Likewise many of the solutions' the character's use throughout the film feel like they could be used in a Hitchcock movie such as Colbert lighting the newspaper on fire to escape from the car. No surprise that the film's co-writer Ben Hecht would be a future Hitchcock writer.

utgard14 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.

JLRMovieReviews I know I ought not to go crazy over this simple comedy, but pairing Claudette Colbert as a poetess who "swears by her eyes" with James Stewart - who goes all out to prove that the man, who's sentenced to die for a crime he didn't commit, is innocent - is totally an outrageous hoot. Claudette is kidnapped by James, when their paths cross, after his escape from a prison truck transferring him. She of course is missed and an APB is put out for her. But she fights with and of course falls for him. In all the excursions together, they tackle and tie up a Boy Scout when he's on to them, she says he's her fiancé when he's decked out in clothes too big for him and with glasses that make him look cross-eyed, and they wind up in a little theater group, when a clue for the real killer leads them there. Guy Kibbee is great in a supporting role, as a friend on the police force, who tries to help him out, but is only successful in being knocked or conked out three times in the movie. And, Guy's convinced if you throw a fit, you can plead insanity. "Oh no, that's them. I'm serious. Now throw a fit." Loopholes? Imperfections? Probably. Laugh-out-loud belly laughs? Silly antics? Incredible situations? A good time for all? Definitely. This is a prime example of a screwball comedy. It may not be in the same class as "Bringing Up Baby," but if you haven't seen "It's a Wonderful World." then you have missed one of the craziest and most delightful screwball comedies ever.