Alan Hale, Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert

Ellie Andrews has just tied the knot with society aviator King Westley when she is whisked away to her father's yacht and out of King's clutches. Ellie jumps ship and eventually winds up on a bus head...( read more  read more... )ed back to her husband. Reluctantly she must accept the help of out-of- work reporter Peter Warne. Actually, Warne doesn't give her any choice: either she sticks with him until he gets her back to her husband, or he'll blow the whistle on Ellie to her father. Either way, Peter gets what (he thinks!) he wants .... a really juicy newspaper story.

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93% liked it

25,044 ratings

Critics

97% liked it

31 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Frank Capra

Release Date: February 22, 1934

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DVD Release Date: December 28, 1999

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Stats: 1,658 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,658)


  • August 6, 2009
    "Two great lovers of the screen in the grandest of romantic comedies !"

    A spoiled heiress, running away from her family, is helped by a man who's actually a reporter looking for a story. But then he falls for her...

    ...( read more)REVIEW
    Admiration for wonderful subtle acting, for the script, the wonderful cast of supporting characters, It is nearly 75 years since this was made, and apart from the previously mentioned bonuses, there is also true Americana to be found, as in the term for "motel" was "auto camp" and a helicopter was called an "auto gyro". The scene on the bus where "the daring young man on his flying trapeze" is sung has to be a classic. Clark and Claudette glow in this. Even though some of it is quite ahead of its time (sharing the room, the famous undershirt scene which caused undershirt sales to drop 50% in the year it was released) the suggestions of hitting her to keep her in line are appalling today. Roscoe Karns as Shapely gives a winning performance and nearly steals the movie.
  • December 4, 2008
    "Well, I proved once and for all that the
    limb is mightier than the thumb."
  • November 12, 2008
    deserving of its sweep of the big 5 oscars, this is one of the first and still one of the best great romantic comedies. the hitch-hiking scene was perfect and the acting and screenplay especially stand out. truly great piece of cinematic history.
  • November 1, 2008
    Together for the first time!


    Director:Frank Capra

    Writers:Samuel Hopkins Adams (story), Robert Riskin (screenplay)

    Genre:Comedy | Drama | Romance

    Starring: Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert

    <
    ...( read more)BR>
    It Happened One Night 01 Pictures, Images and Photos


    THE MOVIE OUTLINE

    "Ellie Andrews has just tied the knot with society aviator King Westley when she is whisked away to her father's yacht and out of King's clutches. Ellie jumps ship and eventually winds up on a bus headed back to her husband. Reluctantly she must accept the help of out-of- work reporter Peter Warne. Actually, Warne doesn't give her any choice: either she sticks with him until he gets her back to her husband, or he'll blow the whistle on Ellie to her father. Either way, Peter gets what (he thinks!) he wants .... a really juicy newspaper story. "


    It Happened One Night Pictures, Images and Photos


    MY APPRAISAL


    SUBLIME PIECE OF CLASSIC CINEMA

    I've been wanting to see It Happened One Night since a local magazine reviewed it on BEST MOVIE EVER section about 5 years ago. And I've been hooked ever since. I waited all my life until I finally got the chance to see it (thanks to flixster's angels, maybe someday I'll put the honorable mentions here). And it worth my while!! This movie has all the ingredients needed in creating an excellent romantic comedy. For some of us who'd watched billions of rom-coms, we may find it cliche. But to me, It Happened One Night was a cinematical breakthrough on Hollywood's golden era. And rom coms nowadays (I'll have to admit most of them are crappy) brutally copy its structure which make the movie storyline seems familiar and common.

    I can't say it is the best classic movie I've ever seen. It Happened One Night didn't top Gone With The Wind since it was an enormously classic colossal. So the phrase BEST ROMANTIC COMEDY OF ALL TIME will do!





    Ellie Andrews: "You've got a name, haven't you?"

    Peter Warne: "Yeah, I got a name. Peter Warne.

    Ellie Andrews: "Peter Warne. I don't like it."

    Peter Warne: "Don't let it bother you. You're giving it back to me in the morning."

    Ellie Andrews: "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Warne."

    Peter Warne: "The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Warne. "
  • September 19, 2008
    "Well, I proved once and for all that the limb is mightier than the thumb."
  • November 20, 2009
    The film that started the romantic comedy genre.
  • November 14, 2009
    love conquers tragedies..
  • November 5, 2009
    Excelente pelicula, escenas memorables !
  • October 13, 2009
    good, funny, romantic & real about surviving on little with a great ending "let the walls tumble down." Classic scene & line "the limb is stronger than the thumb." Clark Gable & Claudette Colbert were fantastic together & earned their Oscar awards along with Capra...
  • October 13, 2009
    Loved this charming and very funny film from Frank Capra. It deserved the five Oscars it garnered in 1934. Highly recommended.

Critic Reviews


March 22, 2001
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

... still feels unbeatably fresh and shiveringly touching. full review

View more It Happened One Night reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • nayita23
    June 27, 2008
    VERY COOL MOVIE
    CHÉVERE ESTA PELÍCULA :)

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It Happened One Night Trivia


  • Which director was at the helm of the following films: Arsenic and Old Lace; It's a Wonderful Life; Mr. Smith Goes to Washington; and It Happened One Night?  Answer »
  • Clark gable won an Oscar for his role in It Happened One Night?  Answer »
  • Name the movie where a runaway heiress and an old weary ex-reporter is in a dispute over the last seat in the bus.  Answer »
  • Who played Claudette Colberts love interest in the 1934 release of "It Happened One Night"?   Answer »

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