Rating of
4/4
It Happened One Night review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 01/23/12
One has to view the film with patience and an open mind because of its time of creation. Not a film for everybody's liking in this critic's opinion. Ellen "Ellie" Andrews (Claudette Colbert) leaves King" Westley (Jameson Thomas). She encounters Peter Warne (Clark Gable), an out-of-work newspaper reporter, in a bus. The movies screenplay was exceptional for its time with lines from the following characters: Ellie – “You've got everything nicely figured out for yourself.” “I don't want to stir up any more trouble. I've done it all my life. I've made your life miserable and mine too. I'm tired Father. I'm tired of running around in circles...I've got to settle down. It doesn't matter how or where or with whom.” Peter – “This is a matter of principle. Something you probably wouldn't understand. But when anybody takes me for a buggy ride, I don't like the idea of having to pay for the privilege.”
A very rare major accomplishment that this was the first picture to win 5 categories in the Academy awards for its genre. Even without the accolades one can really appreciate the beauty of the film’s authenticity, performances and direction. Nothing seemed force and the score applicable to each frame. Despite the sign of the era, the pace of the story was just right to depict the relationship of Ellie and Peter. It Happened One Night is an influential, delightful and charming romantic comedy about values, maturity (for both lead figures), survival in rough situations, love and effective parenting.
