You Can’t Take It With You (1938)
A cutthroat banker is buying up land for his approved munitions factory in hopes of destroying a competitor’s business. But one carefree family, headed by an eccentric and lovable grandfather, tries to stop him.
The update: In this version, the banker is building a plastics factory that will cause massive pollution problems. Grandpa, a veteran of Vietnam War protests, leads the fight, even enlisting his old friend, Al Gore.
Suggested casting: Jack Nicholson
Golddiggers of 1933 (1933)
A Broadway producer hasn’t paid his bills, so the sets and costumes are confiscated the day before opening night of his latest musical, leaving three chorus girls unemployed. But then they hear the producer is trying to mount a new show if he can find a backer.
The update: This remake is timely because the blues certainly have hit Broadway this season. The plot of this new version follows the original, but this time around, the three chorus girls and a young composer join up with the producer to put on a Rent-style musical at their high school alma mater in Queens. After critics get wind of the show, it moves to Broadway.
Suggested casting: Richard Gere
The Invisible Man (1933)
H.G. Wells’ tale of a scientist whose experiments make him insane.
The update: This time around, the brilliant young scientist comes up with the idea that creating an invisible army would give the military a leg up in the battle against terrorists. But when the government backs off on financing for the project, he decides to test an invisibility serum on himself and transforms into a murderous madman intent on killing the president.
Suggested casting: Matt Damon
... contd.