Review of It Happened One Night (1958) by Kenneth B — 21 Jul 2011

This film was the first to win the Big Five (picture, actor, actress, director, screenplay) at the Oscars. It's also often lauded as one of the sminal screwball comedies of the 30s.

While I did enjoy this film, I found it to be merely really good instead of outstanding. Maybe the material just didn't seem all that fresh and exciting to me. It is pretty funny and ridiculously charming though. The story concerns a spoiled newly married runaway heiress who meets up with an unemployed newsman and, wouldn't you know it, while traveling together, they fall in love.

That's a rather cheeky synopsis, and there is a bit more to it than that, but essentially, that's the story. It's all done quite well though, and some of the bits (especially the hitchhiking scene) are priceless. The performances are good, and it is Frank Capra, so expect it to be full of charm and heart.

Give this one a look. It's an old fashioned comedy, but there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, watching it in an era of over-the-top gross-out and shock comedies makes for a really nice refreshing treat.