It Happened One Night (1934)
“I’ll stop a car, and I won’t use my thumb.”
It Happened One Night is one of the most famous classic comedies of all time, and the hitchhiking scene is referenced by people who don’t even watch old movies. I liken It Happened One Night to Marty, another cute comedy that swept up nearly all the awards at the Oscars. They’re both cute movies, but neither is exceptional of the genre, and neither deserved to sweep awards that belong to the best pictures of the year. Both are large reasons why the Members of the Board at Hot Toasty Rag decided to create their own awards.
As a mere cute romantic comedy, this isn’t bad. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert are opposites attracting: she’s a runaway spoiled heiress and he’s a no-nonsense reporter without a dime to his name. They get left behind by the bus and end up walking and hitchhiking to their destination. Along the way, they bicker incessantly and meet a host of colorful characters. “Young people in love are never hungry!” Alan Hale sings as he gives them a brief lift. Claudette gets spanked, criticized, humiliated, and frightened as Clark gives one of the most famous stripteases of all time – and influences every man in American to ditch their undershirts until 1951 when Marlon Brando brought the fashion back. But Clark gets his hat handed to him as he boasts being an expert on everything, and Claudette catches a passing car by lifting her skirt.
One of the other famous scenes that’s frequently spoofed is the accounting scene. Walter Connolly, an accomplished actor who’s best known as his role in this movie as Claudette’s wealthy father, is paying Clark for his expenses he incurred while taking care of his daughter. He offers a large sum, but Clark refuses and only wants gas and food money. With a smirk and a knowing, fatherly look, he tricks Clark into admitting he’s in love.
If it weren’t for the tremendous hype and accolades, it would be a fun movie to watch every once in a while. But there are so many other romantic comedies that are just as good (and some better) that didn’t get any attention, so it’s a little frustrating. And, since there are any number of actors and actresses who could have played Ellie and Peter, it doesn’t seem fair that Claudette and Clark won Oscars for their parts. Constance Bennett, Myrna Loy, Margaret Sullavan, Miriam Hopkins, Carole Lombard, Fredric March, and Robert Montgomery all turned the script down with their various insults – but they all would have been fine. Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Crawford, Ginger Rogers, Paul Muni, Robert Young, and James Cagney also would have been fine. If you like this type of movie, you can rent the extremely similar There Goes the Bride or Red Salute. But don’t rent the musical remake; it’s just awful.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Clark Gable movies here!
It Happened One Night is one of the most famous classic comedies of all time, and the hitchhiking scene is referenced by people who don’t even watch old movies. I liken It Happened One Night to Marty, another cute comedy that swept up nearly all the awards at the Oscars. They’re both cute movies, but neither is exceptional of the genre, and neither deserved to sweep awards that belong to the best pictures of the year. Both are large reasons why the Members of the Board at Hot Toasty Rag decided to create their own awards.
As a mere cute romantic comedy, this isn’t bad. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert are opposites attracting: she’s a runaway spoiled heiress and he’s a no-nonsense reporter without a dime to his name. They get left behind by the bus and end up walking and hitchhiking to their destination. Along the way, they bicker incessantly and meet a host of colorful characters. “Young people in love are never hungry!” Alan Hale sings as he gives them a brief lift. Claudette gets spanked, criticized, humiliated, and frightened as Clark gives one of the most famous stripteases of all time – and influences every man in American to ditch their undershirts until 1951 when Marlon Brando brought the fashion back. But Clark gets his hat handed to him as he boasts being an expert on everything, and Claudette catches a passing car by lifting her skirt.
One of the other famous scenes that’s frequently spoofed is the accounting scene. Walter Connolly, an accomplished actor who’s best known as his role in this movie as Claudette’s wealthy father, is paying Clark for his expenses he incurred while taking care of his daughter. He offers a large sum, but Clark refuses and only wants gas and food money. With a smirk and a knowing, fatherly look, he tricks Clark into admitting he’s in love.
If it weren’t for the tremendous hype and accolades, it would be a fun movie to watch every once in a while. But there are so many other romantic comedies that are just as good (and some better) that didn’t get any attention, so it’s a little frustrating. And, since there are any number of actors and actresses who could have played Ellie and Peter, it doesn’t seem fair that Claudette and Clark won Oscars for their parts. Constance Bennett, Myrna Loy, Margaret Sullavan, Miriam Hopkins, Carole Lombard, Fredric March, and Robert Montgomery all turned the script down with their various insults – but they all would have been fine. Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Crawford, Ginger Rogers, Paul Muni, Robert Young, and James Cagney also would have been fine. If you like this type of movie, you can rent the extremely similar There Goes the Bride or Red Salute. But don’t rent the musical remake; it’s just awful.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Clark Gable movies here!