HISTORY IS MADE AT NIGHT

US, 1937, 97 minutes, Black and White.
Charles Boyer, Jean Arthur, Leo Carrillo, Colin Clive.
Directed by Frank Borzage.

History is Made at Night is a comedy melodrama, very much of the '30s. It was directed by Frank Borzage, whose films entertained the audiences of his time, but they have dated rather badly. There is a typical performance with verve by Jean Arthur and Charles Boyer is his suave self - as in so
many films of the time: Tovarich, All That Heaven Allows. There is a dour but strong supporting performance by Colin Clive. The film is very much studio-bound with its affluent society, Paris - and even the Atlantic liner. With specific reference to the Titanic, the liner and icebergs scenes are very reminiscent of that tragedy. An example of suave '30s sophisticated film-making.

1. An enjoyable film? Its impact in its time? Now? An assessment of the '30s styles of cinema entertainment?

2. Black and white photography? Studio sets? The creation of atmosphere? Musical score? The special effects - especially the iceberg and the sinking liner?

3. Audience acceptance of the conventions of '30s screwball comedies, of melodramas? The film relying on audience response to these? To the stars? How well used? In comparisons with other films of the period?

4. How important was plausibility for the plot? For character-sketching? For this kind of affluent romantic comedy, melodrama? The plausibility of the serious side of the plot? The focus on Bruce Vail, his wealth, obsessions, destruction?

5. Jean Arthur's attractive style as Irene? Wealth? Marriage to Bruce? Her leaving him? Papers and gossip columns? The plan to compromise her? The intervention of Paul? The alleged robbery and her shielding him? Falling in love with him? The importance of the court case? Her decisions, talking with him, the authenticity of her falling in love? The trip together? Her wanting to stay on board? Facing death together, facing life together? Typical heroine of the '30s?

6. Charles Boyer and his suave manner? His heroic intervention, the robbery, the defence of Irene? Falling in love with her? His reputation as head waiter - seeing it in action? Friendship with Cesare - and his entertaining Irene in the restaurant? His decision to defend himself? The build-up to the trial? His travelling with Irene? The facing of death?

7. The character of Bruce Vail - the multinational magnate? His obsession with his wife? His wanting to compromise her? His anger? The killing of Michael? The attack on Paul? The court case? The urging of the liner to break Atlantic records? His responsibility for its destruction? His final confession and killing himself? The irony of Irene and Paul surviving? A grim picture of a humourless and obsessive wealthy man?

8. Cesare - humour, the focus on international cuisine, the reputation of the French, his work in the restaurant, his taking over on the ship?

9. French society, gossip columns, the police, the style of life aboard the international liner?

10. The set pieces - staged melodrama, comedy? The iceberg and the ship? The panic, the lifeboats, the heroism, the relief at being saved?

11. The meaning of the title? Irony? Dated by entertaining comedy melodrama?