Review of It Happened One Night (1934) by Blake P — 22 Apr 2012

Heiress Ellie Andrews (Colbert) flees her disapproving millionaire father (Connolly) when he forbids her to marry goldigging playboy King Westley (Thomas). On the way to finding Westley, Ellie stumbles upon unemployed reporter Peter Warne (Gable).

The pair are forced together after a number of obstacles, including their bus breaking down, but Peter's overall plan of selling his story to win his job back hits a snag when he and Ellie begin to fall for each other.

"It Happened One Night" might be deemed by many to be the film that created the romantic comedy formula, but don't think it's as brainless as a normal rom-com. Well, yes, there's certain aspects-- yes, there's a cheesy ending, and yes, the female lead is a tad selfish, but this film is so much better than that.

'30's comedies were always so fluffy and crowd-pleasing, but "It Happened One Night" is not one bit manipulative. You don't have the leads kiss even once throughout the entire film, and they don't say "I love you" five minutes after the opening credits.

Those two cliches end up taking a backseat to a perfect screenplay that not only makes us laugh but makes us fall in love with the characters as they fall in love with each other simultaneously. It's been done many times since, but considering this is 1934 we're talking about, it's groundbreaking.

Gable and Colbert give simply wonderful performances and they deservedly won Oscars, but everything takes a back seat to Capra's excellent direction. Shot in a month, a low budget, and a whiny Claudette Colbert, Capra proves to us that even when nothing seems like it will work it will.

And that's exactly why he's legendary today-- all of his films boast that sheer confidence and warmth. "It Happened One Night" deservedly gets the title of being a "classic film".

This is all the way up there with "His Girl Friday" or even "Bringing Up Baby". Highly recommended.