IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT
US, 1934, 105 minutes, Black and white.
Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert, Walter Connolly.
Directed by Frank Capra.
It Happened One Night is a classic Hollywood comedy. It set a benchmark in screwball comedies of the 1930s – especially with its winning Oscars for best film, best director, best actor, best actress.
Frank Capra had been an established director for many years, moving towards serious themes. However, he was also able to do a number of social themes along with his comedy, now called Capraesque, often mistakenly thought of as comedic over-optimism. However, when one looks at the classics of this genre: Mr Deeds Goes to Town, Mr Smith Goes to Washington, You Can’t Take It With You, Meet John Doe, It’s a Wonderful Life, one realises that there are far more serious tones under the optimism.
The screenplay was written by Robert Riskin who wrote a number of films for Capra including Lady for a Day, Mr Deeds Goes to Town, You Can’t Take It With You, Meet John Doe. He also wrote Lost Horizon.
The film was a star vehicle for Claudette Colbert who had been an established star already (Sign of the Cross, Cleopatra) and for Clark Gable who was on loan from MGM. The film was remade just over twenty years later with June Allyson and Jack Lemmon as You Can’t Run Away From It.
1. This film's reputation? Does it merit it? The number of Oscars received? A re?wake in the :ti:rtion? The basic impact and appeal?
2. The techniques of early sound film, black and white photography, outdoor and non-location work, the music, the impact of the two stare at this stage of their career and in the atmosphere of film-making and film fans of the thirties?
3. The film and the work of Frank Capra and Robert Riskin? Their light touch, flair for comedy, Americans, social observation and gentle satire? The struggle of the elm*#? Within the atmosphere of the Depression? Light insight into the American condition and American society?
4. The impact of the film in retrospect? Its commercial and Award success? The presentation of Clark Gable and his influence on the image of the American male (the singlet episode?), the phrases that have been taken and used, for example "the walls of Jericho"? The comedy of teaching Claudette Colbert how to hitch-hike etc.?
5. The significance and tone of the title? The overtones of the fairy tale and its modern application in America? Indications of the story and the humorous tone taken?
6. Clark Gable as a reporter, masculine type, work, relationship with his boss, anger, telling him off? The precarious nature of his job? His skill at his work? The chance for a good story? His relentless pursuit of the heiress? His presuppositions a man, reporter, against the rich? class distinctions and antagonism? His irritation with the heiress? His helping her, learning from her? The gradual bonds of protection, his mellowing, falling in love? Quick thinking in helping her in predicaments? An image of the Prince Charming ordinary-class American male? A good character study?
7. The contract with the spoilt American horizons? Her family background. husband? Her being so spoilt# tantrums,, Jumping off the boat? Her helplessness In being strandeaq her quick thinking, her arrogance? Attitude towards reporters? Her being protected by the reporter? Her snobbery. inability to do things, learning practicalities? Her failing in love? The impact on her voddingt A good character sketch of this kind of spoilt princess?
8. The importance of the interaction between the tiro and the episodes which best illustrated this? Mutual antagonism, an antagonism of poor and rich, class? The humour of the protection and dependence. the slapstick and farcical elements highlighting this? Particularly the walls of Jericho and the episodes in the hotel, the pretence of bickering to preserve reputation etc.? Innuendo and the way that this was handled? Male/female love/hate?
9. What was the result on each of them? How did they change for the better?
10. The basic credibility of the plot? its parallel to screwball comedy stories, the elements of situation comedy and farce? The parody and satire of drawing room comedy and characters? Observation on American situation in the thirties?
11. The clash and build up to the wedding? The guests, the bride, the bridegroom, the family? The screwball comedy treatment of the wedding?
12. How much accurate observation of human nature is there in a comedy like this? Why has this comedy persisted in popularity over so many decades?
