It Happened One Night (1934)

Directed by: Frank Capra | 105 minutes | comedy, romance | Actors: Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert, Walter Connolly, Roscoe Karns, Jameson Thomas, Alan Hale, Arthur Hoyt, Blanche Friderici, Charles C. Wilson

The rise of the sound film in the early 1930s brought a creative revolution as well as a technological revolution. Against the background of the economic and social depression that gripped America at the time, the combination of slapstick and verbal humor gave rise to a new genre, screwball comedy. Central to these kinds of films is the battle of the sexes. A man and a woman with opposite characters who want to kill each other throughout the film, but are also secretly fond of each other. The film that put the genre on the map was ‘It Happened One Night’ (1934), by director Frank Capra, which definitively established his name. The film was a resounding success: ‘It Happened One Night’ won five Oscars in the major categories and was a big hit in cinemas. Much of that success is due to its two protagonists, two of the most important stars of Hollywood’s golden age: Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert.

In this comedy, Clark Gable plays the role of Peter Warne, a foul-mouthed reporter whose successes don’t come easy but who never gives up. He is eagerly looking for a good story. Luck finally seems to be on his side when he meets Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert), a millionaire’s daughter who, without a second thought, has married a wealthy playboy, against her father’s wishes. She flees the family home and moves to New York to rejoin her husband. Peter, already envisioning the exclusive scoop, travels with her. Although the snooty Ellie doesn’t like that at all, there’s nothing else for her to do. While arguing, the couple travels along the east coast of the US. It will come as no surprise to anyone that the sparks will fly off in no time.

Despite its advanced age, ‘It Happened One Night’ still looks fresh and sparkling. This is mainly due to the sublime (co-)playing of both protagonists. It’s clear from the start that this movie is about Peter and Ellie’s reunion, but there are a lot of obstacles (and egos) to overcome before it gets that far. Gable is the macho flierefluiter, but one with a heart of gold. His lightning-fast chat would later be the source of inspiration for many film characters. Colbert is charming and engaging. ‘It Happened One Night’ is full of memorable scenes where humor and sexual tension come together. Perhaps the most legendary is the scene called the ‘Walls of Jericho’, in which a clothesline separates them in a hotel room. The film is skillfully put together by director Frank Capra who keeps the pace well. The dialogues are catchy, especially when you consider that the film dates from 1934.

‘It Happened One Night’ won the grand slam at the 1934 Oscars; the awards for best picture, best director, best script, best male and best female lead. Only two films managed to repeat that trick (‘One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ in 1975 and ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ in 1991). It Happened One Night is one of the funniest and most charming romantic comedies of Hollywood’s glory days. A must-see classic!