mrs. kirby and occultism - You Can't Take It with You (1938) Discussion

[–] novastar_6 17 years ago

Occultism? She said it was spiritualism...granted I know as much about spiritualism as a donkey knows about Halloween, but I wouldn't think the two would go together like that.

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[–] jayneau2 17 years ago

Mrs. Kirby: "I am a student of occultism."
Penny: "What's that?"
Mr. Sycamore: "That's spiritualism, Penny."
Penny: "Spiritualism? Oh, Mrs. Kirby! Everyone knows that's a fake."

In the 1930s, occultism or spiritualism would have meant a study of the supernatural, particularly as regards psychics, paranormal events, etc.

I've seen this movie at least 50 times. It's one of my all time favorites!

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[–] tmf_scipio 16 years ago

I love the smug look Mr. Kirby gets on his face after this little exchange.

Better sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian.

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[–] wmoores 17 years ago

Maybe it had something to do with fainting. Check out Mary Forbes as Mrs. Bel-Goodie in W. C. Fields' movie "You Can't Cheat An Honest Man."

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[–] nahuil 16 years ago

Houdini anyone? Arthur Conan Doyle? They're pretty older than this movie.

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[–] fast_fierce_and_funny 16 years ago

Houdini anyone? Arthur Conan Doyle? They're pretty older than this movie.

Older? Yes, but only somewhat.

Houdini died in 1926; Conan Doyle in 1930. This film was made in 1938.

So while Houdini and Conan Doyle do pre-date this movie, they don't do it by much. I'm sure there's a good chance that someone from the late 30's would be familiar with both figures (and their beliefs).

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[–] markbromberg 16 years ago

A few more details: Occultism was a movement in the 1920s that housewives became interested in, sparked by the popularity of new 'women's" magazines. A woman named Madame Blavatsky had written several books about mysticism and "paranormal" events, and her ideas became the rage. The main idea was that loved ones could speak with the dead in seances, through Ouija boards and other means, and was a very popular "hobby" throughout the decade with the well-to-do. Mrs. Kirby, of course, with all her free time, would have been involved in these kinds of parlor gatherings. By the late 1930s the occult or spritualism movement was discredited by most people -- Mr. Kirby's eye-rolling says it all.

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[–] TheDuchessofM 16 years ago

Actually, the spiritualism/occultism craze began in the 1850s, when the Fox sisters allegedly communicated with spirits through table rappings. Judging by the popularity of John Edward in the early 2000s, the psychic networks that sprang up in the 80s and even current shows like Ghost Whisperer and Medium, people are still attracted by spiritualism and mediums.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_sisters

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[–] thespia 16 years ago

Spiritualism is holding seances, and such.

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[–] TabbyS 14 years ago

This scene was great. Apparently, being rich and snobby doesn't bring wisdom and kindness. Try getting those through a freewill horoscope!

Tabby S.

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[–] Molly-31 13 years ago

Not at all. As others have pointed out occultism is something people have always been interested in. There were several popular occult movements in those days as others have pointed out. Some of them were connected with the women's rights movement. Ouija boards were also extremely popular in the 1930s. Mrs. K probably attended lectures on Theosophy and subscribed to various occult magazines.

Let's just say that God doesn't believe in me.

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[–] mikainen 12 years ago

Like stated earlier, spiritualism was popular from 1850's on.

Occultism is not spiritualism as stated in this film. Communicating with spirits was just one aspect of occultism. Which is thousands of years old.

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