Classic 30s Movie: “It Happened One Night”

May is Classic 30s Movie month. Today’s guest post comes from Joni Brainerd.

Movie Title: It Happened One Night

Year: 1934

Writers: Screenplay by Robert Riskin, based on the short story by Samuel Hopkins Adams

Lead Actors: Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert

Director: Frank Capra

IMDb Plot Summary: When her father threatens to annul her marriage to fortune-hunting playboy King Westley, spoiled heiress Ellie Andrews leaps off a yacht, eludes her father’s henchmen and hops a bus to New York City to reunite with her husband. Romantic complications arise when she’s befriended by brash, breezy reporter Peter Warren, who offers to help her outwit her father’s detectives in order to reach King, in exchange for her exclusive story.

Why I Think This Is A Classic 30s Movie

Seems we’ve become so accustomed to all things which are risque, vulgar, profane, or otherwise “colorful”, that watching something which is so tame in comparison to today’s fare is quite the breath of fresh air. It was “risque” for Clark Gable to strip down to bare-chested! It was so unthinkable to Claudette Colbert to “show a little leg” filming the hitchhiking scene that a body double was brought in. There’s sweetness and enchantment in a film like this and that, combined with its screwball antics and its quest for one’s romantic mate, make this a delightful break from raunch and raciness.

Aside from modes of transportation, hair/wardrobe and other hints of the time period — such as the flag-waving guard at a railroad crossing and the signage at a stop along the bus route for 10 cent hamburgers and hot dogs — the “feel” of this period was apparent in bits like a band practicing a song on the bus, the use of telegrams for communication, and roadside drive-in “car-park cabins” for overnight accommodations.

My Favorite Moment In The Movie

The hitchhiking scene, hands down. Gable’s Peter Warren attempts to illustrate his smarts, savvy and worldly knowledge to nab them a ride when they’re stuck along the side of a road. He talks a good talk — — all the way through the film — — and yet, his attempts to wow her are an epic fail. Not only does he not secure them a ride, he must endure Colbert’s Ellie Andrews successfully using her wit — and the wee lift of a skirt — to get someone to pull over for them. Her perching on the fence to watch him make a fool of his “thumb” and his “pout” in the backseat of the car she secures — — both are whimsical and priceless.

My Favorite Dialogue In the Movie

Peter Warren: You know, I had you pegged right from the jump. Just a spoiled brat of a rich father. The only way you get anything is to buy it, isn’t it? You’re in a jam and all you can think of is your money. It never fails, does it? Ever hear of the word humility? No, you wouldn’t. I guess it would never occur to you to just say, ‘Please mister, I’m in trouble, will you help me?’ No, that would bring you down off your high horse for a minute. Well, let me tell you something, maybe it will take a load off your mind. You don’t have to worry about me. I’m not interested in your money or your problem. You, King Westley, your father. You’re all a lot of hooey to me!

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Peter hangs a blanket between the twin beds in their room at the autocamp

Ellie Andrews: That, I suppose, makes everything quite all right?
Peter Warne: Oh this? Well, I like privacy when I retire. Yes, I’m very delicate in that respect. Prying eyes annoy me. Behold the walls of Jericho! Uh, maybe not as thick as the ones that Joshua blew down with his trumpet, but a lot safer. You see, uh, I have no trumpet. Now just to show you my heart’s in the right place, I’ll give you my best pair of pajamas.

He offers her the pajamas — she ignores them — so he tosses them at her.

Peter Warne: Uh, do you mind joining the Israelites?

Indicates he wants her to go on the other side of the blanket — she doesn’t budge.

Peter Warne: You don’t want to join the Israelites? Alright.

He begins to undress.

Peter Warne: Perhaps you’re interested in how a man undresses. You know, it’s a funny thing about that. Quite a study in psychology. No two men do it alike. You know, I once knew a man who kept his hat on until he was completely undressed. Yeah, now he made a picture. Years later, his secret came out. He wore a toupee. Yeah. You know, I have a method all my own. If you notice, the coat came first, then the tie, then the shirt. Now, uh, according to Hoyle, after that, the, uh, pants should be next. There’s where I’m different… I go for the shoes next. First the right, then the left. After that it’s, uh, every man for himself.

He starts to unbuckle his pants and she runs to the other side of the blanket.

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Peter is carrying Ellie across the creek slung over his shoulder.

Ellie Andrews: You know this is the first time in years I’ve ridden piggy-back.
Peter Warne: This isn’t piggy-back.
Ellie Andrews: Course it is.
Peter Warne: You’re crazy.
Ellie Andrews: I remember distinctly my father taking me for a piggy-back ride.
Peter Warne: And he carried you like this, I suppose?
Ellie Andrews: Yes.
Peter Warne: Your father didn’t know beans about piggy-back riding.
Ellie Andrews: My uncle, mother’s brother, has four children and I’ve seen them ride piggy-back.
Peter Warne: I’ll bet there isn’t a good piggy-back rider in your whole family. I never knew a rich man yet who could piggy-back ride.
Ellie Andrews: You’re prejudiced.
Peter Warne: You show me a good piggy-backer and I’ll show you a real human. Now you take Abraham Lincoln for instance. A natural born piggy-backer. Where do you get all of that stuffed-shirt family of yours?
Ellie Andrews: My father was a great piggy-backer.
Peter Warne: Here, hold this.

Peter hands to Ellie the case he was carrying and slaps her behind for that remark.

Key Things You Should Look For When Watching This Movie

I’m always fascinated by the simple manner in which a “talky” scene can engage us by giving us something to watch or focus on. I could watch Clark Gable peel and eat carrots all day. I’m a huge fan of rapid-fire banter — and much of this feels akin to many of the great Hepburn-Tracy talkie movies. But I’m always tickled when the characters are given something to do other than just sitting still or walking — — in this case, the mere act of stringing a blanket over a rope between single motel beds is all the action one needs to understand the chivalry behind all of Peter Warren’s chatter. Similarly, there are some wonderful non-speaking moments — — like early on, when stuck beside a large, snoring man on the bus and Ellie opts to return to the backmost seat of the then-caddish stranger. Fabulous!

Thanks, Joni!

To show our gratitude for your guest post, here’s a dash of creative juju for you. Whoosh!

We already have a set of classic 40s movies, 5os movies, 60s Movies, 70s movies, 80s Movies and 90s Movies. This month, we’re working on 30s movies. And thanks to the GITS community, we’ve got at least 22 movies in the works and hopefully!

Those who I put in bold have already sent me their posts. If you haven’t sent yours to me, please do so as soon as you can!!!

All Quiet on the Western Front — Michael Waters
Bride of Frankenstein — Marija Nielsen
Bringing Up Baby — Melinda Mahaffey
Captain Blood — John Arends
City Girl — Adam Westbrook
Dracula — Sheila Seaclearr
Duck Soup — David Joyner
Gone With The Wind — Mark Twain
Gunga Din — Steve Huerta
It Happened One Night — Joni Brainerd
Make Way for Tomorrow — Susan W
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington — Amber Watt
Rebecca — Katha
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves — Will King
Sabotage — Jeff Xilon
Stagecoach — Thenewlight
The 39 Steps — Felicity Flesher
The Adventures of Robin Hood — Clay Mitchell
The Petrified Forest — supergloss
The Women — Liz Clarke
Topper — Wayne Kline

I am still looking for volunteers. If there’s a 30s movie you’d like to write about, please post your suggestion in comments or contact me via email.

Thanks to everyone who steps up for this ongoing project!

For the original post explaining the series, go here.

For all of the 30s movies featured in the series, go here.

Click REPLY and see you in comments about today’s classic 30s movie!

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