It Happened One Night 1934
While this movie swept the big five Oscars and is on the AFI list of the best 100 movies ever, I was not familiar with it at all. But with that kind of acclaim it was an easy pick for a Screen Pass. It is a very old movie, made in 1934, and you get a feel for just how old it is by seeing the cars people are driving, and even the bus they use. Surprisingly, it still feels modern and is pretty much a conventional romantic comedy. Modern movies have improved on the formula for sure, but Clark Gable (before Gone With the Wind) and Claudette Colbert are very good, with some sharp writing played pretty naturally. Also, since it was made before the Production Code, it is just a little racy, which makes it feel less dated. Maybe the movie doesn’t always excel, but it doesn’t really let you down either. Parts of the movie don’t make a lot of sense (as they go cross country and sleep in a haystack) and I‘m not sure why three verses of “The Flying Trapeze” were necessary either. Still, it is a fun movie to watch and probably deserves a stronger reputation with everyone, not just film buffs.
Written: 16 Oct 2021
Owned on: Digital