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"Excuse me lady, but that upon which you sit is mine.", Jul 11 2004
Peter Warne: Why didn't you take off all your clothes? You could have stopped forty cars.
Ellie Andrews: Well, ooo, I'll remember that when we need forty cars.On-screen chemistry has the ability to turn a good film into something special. Look no further than Frank Capra's "It Happened One Night" for proof of this. Whoever came up with the idea of pairing Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert together in this production certainly earned his or her paycheck. Rich girl Ellie Andrews (Colbert) runs away from her father so that she can be with her one true love, King Westley (Jameson Thomas). Ellie has little knowledge of how the outside world works so she hooks up with reporter Peter Warne (Gable) who offers to help her reach New York in return for the exclusive rights to her story. The pair finds each other intolerable at the outset but as they spend more time together, their opinions of each other start to change. By the time they arrive in New York, Ellie and Peter must decide if they should act upon the newfound affection they have developed towards one another. "It Happened One Night" is effectively funny and romantic at the same time. The out-of-the-way situations Ellie and Peter find themselves involved in is screwball comedy at its finest and the love that develops between them is Hollywood magic at its most charming. Colbert and Gable show why they were two of the biggest stars of their era and the chemistry they display on screen still is magnetic to this very day. "It Happened One Night" is also a fascinating cultural text due to its suggestive sexual overtones and its vivid depiction of a woman who is determined to take matters into her own hands when the situation calls for it. Both of these aspects are especially noteworthy when one considers the period in which the film was made. Yet, if "It Happened One Night" is to be remembered for anything, it should be remembered for the classic that it is. After all, when you speak of pure cinematic bliss, you speak of scenes like the one where Ellie flashes her thigh to stop an approaching car - truly one of the greatest moments ever caught on film.
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It doesn't get any better than this ..., Jul 7 2004
70 years later, this movie still holds up beautifully. It's funny, smart, and, man! those sexy, charming leads! I'd ride a bus with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert anywhere ...This ones recommended for everyone -- old people, young people ... It hasn't aged, and it'll always be a good time.
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A classic that deserves to endure, Jun 13 2004
A spoiled socialite (Claudette Colbert) flees her wealthy father (Walter Connolly) and heads for New York to marry a rich playboy (Jameson Thomas) against her father's will. The whereabouts of Ellie Andrews and the reward for her return become the stuff of national headlines, so when recently fired reporter Peter Warne (Clark Gable) recognizes her, he decides to stick close so he can write the story. Naturally, romance follows, but it's a bumpy and hugely entertaining road to get there.This is an absolutely wonderful film. It's such a shame that so many people are not interested in watching an old black-and-white movie. Good work is timeless. Gable and Colbert have wonderful chemistry and are both hilarious and touching. The rest of the cast is excellent as well. Even though the story is set during the Great Depression, it doesn't seem dated at all. The wisecracking between characters is sharp and well-written (by screenwriter Robert Riskin); there are lots of laugh-out-loud moments during this film. It's also pretty racy and suggestive for its time, with a genuinely affecting climax. Another level of interest is added by the careful attention that director Frank Capra pays to the depression-era milieu; Colbert's character really doesn't understand the plight of the common man, but Gable's hard-bitten reporter is all too aware of the hard times that people are going through. This adds a fascinating sociological dimension.
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Best Picture Winner that Deserved it., May 28 2004
This film is nothing but brilliant. There is not a second that goes by when you get bored of it. The film stars Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert and is directed by Frank Capra. Thats enough to make you want to see it already! The film was released in 1934 and won five academy awards, Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. The basic storyline goes:
Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert) is this spoiled rich girl, who runs away from her father (Walter Connolly) who is a millionaire, so that she can marry her fiancee. On her way to New York, she gets on a bus on which she meets a newspaper reporter, Peter Warne (Clark Gable). They start off bad, but then there bus breaks down, which is the start to a very funny hitchhiking trip that will certainly change the both of them. The scene where Gable is pretending that he is a gangster is hilarious! Now for the DVD:
The picture quality looks very good. The sound is good. It has some nice extras, such as an Original Live Radio Broadcast that is very, very entertaining. A featurette, the usual trailer, along with a few other things aswell. No commentary though (refers to region 2 release). However, there is apparently one on the US disc of this film. If there is any such thing as a perfect movie, this is it! This film, and this DVD presentation, is most highly recommended! Its hard to describe how great this movie is. It really is that good! PLEASE NOTE: I own the Region 2 relase of this DVD. As mentioned above, this Region 1 release apparently includes all the same as the UK release, but this also includes a commentary.
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A Classic Gem!, Mar 18 2004
I like the old classics and It Happened One Night is a very good movie with a wonderful cast! Claudette Colbert stars as an heiress who runs away from her father who is trying to prevent her from marrying a golddigging playboy. She trys to travel in disguise but is recognized by an out of work reporter played by Clark Gable who pretends he doesn't know who she is so he can get the big scoop about why she ran away and they wind up hitting the road together. This is a romantic comedy and what they called screwball comedy and has some funny lines and situations. I taped this movie when it was on TCM and I just might buy the DVD someday!
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IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT: Gets Better with Each Viewing, Feb 28 2004
When IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT was released in 1934, the movie was not a hit either with the fans or the critics. The producers were ready to relegate director Frank Capra's film to the dustbins of the filmshelf. But then a strange thing happened. Word of mouth spread the news that this was a film of import and fun. In just a few short months, the lines around the few theaters that were still showing it were long enough to convince the producers that they should redistribute it, and so they did. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT has been in more or less continuous showing since then. It garnered a slew of Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor for Clark Gable and Best Actress for Claudette Colbert. Critics of IHON justly call it a magnificent early example of a screwball comedy, and it is surely that, but repeated viewings imbue it with a series of social and economic subtexts that the contemporary audience could relate to. Clark Gable is Peter Warne, a huckstering newpaperman who has the great bad fortune to hook up with Ellen Andrews (Colbert), a spoiled socialite who is running away from her overbearing magnate father who wants to annul her marriage to a foppish goldhunter King Westlake. The majority of the film is an early version of a comedic but stark version of Kerouac's ON THE ROAD, with Gable and Colbert trying to travel from Florida to New York, all the while pursued by detectives hired by her father to catch them. When fans think of reasons why they love IHON, they usually point to the famous hitchhiking scene where Colbert's raised skirt gets a ride when Gable's thumb proves inadequate. Then, these fans mention the blanket between the lovers scene in which the symbolic Walls of Jericho slowly come tumbling down as each reaches out to the other to reveal their growing attraction. The chemistry between Gable and Colbert is so strong that one wonders why they never paired up again. Yet,IHON is more than a screwball comedy that permits the lovers to dash in and out of improbable situations. As they travel the dusty roads of backwoods America, a depression oriented America that was all too well versed in such meanderings could travel right along with them. The communal singing on the bus scene is not simply a musical interlude between scenes; it temporarily places Gable and Colbert into the background and propels the image of lonely travelers on the road reaching out to one another in a fashion that must have resonated with many viewers. From bus to hitchhiking to tramping dusty roads, Gable and Colbert proved yet again that the magic of chemistry when allied with the right social subtext could produce a film that even today can place the video audience right there in the same creaky car driven by that suitcase thief. If director Capra proves anything it is that true magic does not vary to fit changing economic or social climates. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT is truly one of the all time great moments in film history.
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*Epitome of Romantic Screwball Comedies*, Feb 15 2004
I first saw this movie when I was 15-years-old. Most people at this age usually have the misconception that black & white films are boring. I used to be in that same muddled pool, but this film would forever change my view of old classic movies. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, originally titled NIGHT BUS, was a low budget movie panned early on by film critics, but embraced by moviegoers all over America. The critics -- who had snubbed the film at first -- were undoubtedly curious about its fast-rising popularity. They reviewed it again, but under closer scrutiny. During the following year (in 1935), the film was nominated for five major Academy Awards: 1) Best Picture, 2) Best Director, 3) Best Writing Adaptation, 4) Best Actress, and 5) Best Actor. It was no wonder that the picture captured all five of the major categories. This film continues to enchant moviegoers, and it continues to influence much of what we see in today's romantic comedies. It's responsible for this basic formula: The common scenario being boy meets girl, boy and girl despise each other, boy and girl fall in love with each other, boy loses girl, boy eventually wins girl back. You've seen it. So many times in fact that the stories and characters generally seem jaded and contrived. Many of these films fail to duplicate the magic of this 1934 classic. The acting, too, usually isn't up to par with a Gable or Colbert -- both of whom deliver stellar performances in this film. Their great on-screen chemistry ignites the movie and energizes it to the end. You can expect plenty of action and excitement here, for it's all based on good humor and fun. Frank Capra's direction is superb, the cast is terrific, and the crisp, witty dialogue certainly makes this one of the best films ever. Watch it and enjoy! **Note: Gable and Colbert did work together again in a film called BOOM TOWN, which was released in 1940. The movie was a disappointment, however, because it lacked the same wonderful spark that was so evident in this picture.**
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Hilarious Love Story, Feb 3 2004
"It Happened One Night" is an excellent comedy released in 1934. It garnered five Oscars, including Best Picture. Its unique laughter attracting style remains entertaining, regardless how many viewings. Its love story theme remains funny and serious in the perfect scenes. Its many twists and turns keeps audiences interested in what will happen next, from Ellie's escape from her father and fiance to Ellie meeting Peter to the two slowly falling in love. There is no dull moment. Such writing quality is only one movie detail that makes it classic-worthy. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert earned an Oscar for their lead roles. Both brilliant actors offer their own comedy and serious theme, which adds more flavor. Regardless if they express greed, love, rejection, happiness, or anger, their every moment is flawless. "It Happened One Night" is a great classic film for those looking for unique humor. This will surely continue pleasing audiences for many more years.
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Best Movie Ever! (Really), Oct 11 2003
I have loved this movie forever. It is the simple story of a poor little rich girl (Colbert)who runs away from her tycoon father in hopes of making it to New York to wed her playboy fiance. A newspaper reporter (Gable) is on her trail and hopes to get the scoop of the season by cozying up to her and getting the inside story of her surprise wedding. When their night bus breaks down, the bickering couple hitchike to New York. Of course, sparks fly between the two of them as they fall in love. This is a terrifically funny movie that tells a great story. Along the way, the movie offers up a snapshot of 1934 American life that is true and vanished. Everyone loves this movie. People who hate black and white movies love this movie. Even cool 19 year old boys who only relate to the Sopranos love this movie. I have never known anyone who watched this movie who didn't also love it.
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What a funny movie!, Sep 6 2003
This movie is one laugh after another with a great story. You've probably read the story from other reviewers, so I won't remind you, but I just thought the plot was very clever and the humor just has to make you laugh. I really didn't like Clark Gable before I saw this movie, but my opinion of him improved after seeing this movie. I even got my mom to see this and she loved it as well! The DVD is great and the VHS is great. either way, you can't lose!:)
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