merelyaninnuendo
It Happened One NightThe conversations are practical and sensibly written and addition to that the hilarity that it ensues doesn't seem forcibly installed and makes it look like ridiculous but instead keeps it grounded; which audience resemble with, that is supported by the pragmatic characters and the world that they reside in. The writing is strong and witty especially which is clearly visible when it offers a similar gravitas to the supporting cast to factor in on drama and comedy too. It isn't shot nicely and the camera work could have been a lot better but it surely is edited perfectly. The execution by Frank Capra is apt for the script and bodes well with the tone throughout the course of it as he keeps it light and breezy. Clark Gable is as always convincing on his portrayal and so has been Claudette Colbert on her parallel role with him as a bratty celebrity. The only missing puzzle is the stakes that are projected in here are taken lightly by the characters and the makers which clearly isn't feasible at all. It Happened One Night is a soothing and independent night if not appropriately taken hold of.
bombersflyup
It Happened One Night is a reasonable comedy/romance, carried mostly by Clark Gable.It's likely impossible to love a romance, without loving the female lead, which is the case here. I don't really understand the allure of Claudette Colbert or see why Peter is interested, nor Ellie wanting to marry Westley in the first place. Clark Gable was terrific and Ellie's father was also likable. I liked a lot of it, but there were hits and misses for me.
Anssi Vartiainen
A young woman from a wealthy background cracks under the pressure of her demanding lifestyle and runs away. On her way she meets a struggling reporter, who decides to stick with her with a story in mind. Together they experience the joys of life. If this sounds vaguely familiar, it might be because you've seen the 1953 classic, Roman Holiday, the plot of which fits the exact same description. This came first, however.The are also differences. Whereas Roman Holiday is a pretty clear romantic city comedy, this movie can best be described as a road trip movie. It's also a bit more dramatic, or at least not as clearly a comedy. Overall I find Roman Holiday to be the superior film, but that's mainly due to the strength of its main leads. It Happened One Night certainly has star power going for it, with Clark Gable proving himself Gregory Peck's equal in all ways that matter. But if you were to tell me Claudette Colbert was just as good in this as Audrey Hepburn was in Roman Holiday, I'd punch you. Not that Colbert is bad, mind you, but her character is written pretty passive. I blame mostly the era, but the problem still exists.Nevertheless, I do like this film. Frank Capra's light, idealistic world view is evident throughout and it's just such a joy to experience. In his world people still believe is basic goodness and there are no true villains. Or if there are, there are also plenty of people to laugh at them or to thwart their evil schemes. What can I say, they don't make movies like these anymore. An attempt to make a movie such as this nowadays just wouldn't fly. It would be seen as too naive. Its dialogue as too corny, its characters as lacking humane flaws. But in denying ourselves films such as these, we're losing something. Whether its simple honesty or something else. But we're losing it.And that's a shame.
Hitchcoc
When one puts two stellar actors in a situation of one-upsmanship where each is a strong personality (and quite attractive), the sparks are going to fly. Colbert already is on the loose and is being pursued. Along the way, she runs into and must depend on Gable, who is quite glib and very funny. As the two of them make their way across the country, they find themselves in near compromising conditions. We have the famous "Wall of Jericho" where they sleep in the same bed with a bed sheet acting as a barrier. Colbert is defiant; Gable is flirtatious. Remember the famous scene where Colbert gets a driver to stop and pick them up by sticking out her exposed leg. Frank Capra gave us all these films about Americana and this is one that has captured our being for decades. The byplay between the principle characters is worth the effort.
AD
