Here’s the thing: I totally owe Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert and especially Frank Capra a massive “thanks a bunch.”
Why? Because they pretty much paved the way for my writing career. I currently write rom-com, after all. And Capra’s It Happened One Night is generally considered Hollywood’s first romantic comedy.
Both Gable and Colbert might have had misgivings about starring in what was, at that time, a somewhat off-beat movie…but I’m guessing they got over that pretty quickly after sweeping the Academy Awards in 1934. This movie is SO fun, and it’s what Clay Morgan and I are chatting about this week. Check it out and let us know what you think!
Have you seen It Happened One Night? If so, what did you think? If not, why are you still reading this? You have movie watching to do! (And be sure to pitch us your ideas for what movies we should feature next.)
*Miss a previous Classic Cinephiles episode? Catch ’em all on YouTube.
Comments 28
I’ve never seen it but the title is catchy. 🙂
It’s so good, Jessica. And here’s a second round of congrats on your new book release. 🙂
I watched It Happened One Night such a long time ago, I’ll have to watch it again. You two are so cute together! I would love to see you discuss Psycho.
But Psycho freaks me out!! I don’t think I’ve ever been able to watch it all the way through…only in snippets. 🙂
I agree with Pat, I definitely think it’s time to pull in Hitchcock!
Well, we did Hitchcock’s Suspicion last week. Not one of my faves, but still a fun viewing. 🙂
I need to try it out!!
And by the way, did you notice we both had “oh my” in our titles for today’s blogs? Methinks our time together this week has made us even MORE alike, if that was possible!!
Ha, totally didn’t notice that. We are eerily alike. Well, except for the whole city girl/country girl contrast. Although I admit, I did turn cidiot in those moments running away from the wood ticks. Also, we WILL be watching old movies in September when you’re in Iowa.
Ha! I love that both of you have now adopted the term cidiot. 🙂 I’m still laughing…
Cidiot is my new favorite term ever. I’m going to try to find reasons to use it in every day life from here on out. 🙂
Another to add to my list 🙂 Just watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s for the first time this weekend with friends. So good! I’m thinking I might like more…
Ooh, Audrey Hepburn. She’s a fave, for sure. 🙂
Probably one of my favorite movies of all time! Such great dialogue and so much sass! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!
Definitely one of my all-time faves, too. You’re right–sass is the perfect word for it! I like your triple LOVE. 🙂
Guilty. I guess I need to watch that one too. 🙂
Haha, no need to feel guilty. Convicted, yes, but not guilty. 🙂 Just kidding…but seriously, you need to watch It Happened One Night. So great!
Oh my goodness! Jess Patch just told me this weekend I needed to watch this movie. I had to rent it though, so I picked something else and added it to my TBW pile. Two recommendations in two days means it goes at the top!
OKAY…I totally knew Jess Patch was cool, but she has now risen to even greater heights in my esteem. It’s SO good, Susan. 🙂
Yes, I’ve seen it! Yes, I love it! And I’m so happy that there are few movies you mention that I haven’t seen. 🙂 Miss you and can’t wait for September!!
Already counting the weeks, Gabe. To think, I’ll get to see you two weekends in a row that month!!
Never seen it BUT I do love Capra films! I think “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” is my all time fave.
You should do suspense again: “Laura” is one of my favorite classic detective love stories. “Double Indemnity” is another good one.
As for dramas: “Mildred Pierce ” with Joan Crawford. A powerful performance!
Yes, I adore Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Double Indemnity is so amazing to me. Fred MacMurray is a ridiculously under-rated actor…love him! Laura is great, too. You know, I think I actually own Mildred Pierce but don’t know if I’ve ever watched it solely because Joan Crawford has always freaked me out a little bit. Ha!
Love your uncertainty about the production date, Melissa – that’d have been me also. Know who stars in/the names of movies generally but often forget their production date, especially the oldies. 😉
Neat to know that this is one that paved your writing career. Haven’t seen this one but I’ve heard lots about it. It’s funny to go back and watch an old movie (like this or ‘Philadelphia Story’) with the knowledge that they were “risqué” and then watching contemporary movies – there’s really no comparison, Hollywood today has NO shame.
Agree with Clay – and you, Melissa, not a HUGE fan of Gable. He’s just not the ideal old Hollywood leading man.
As usual, such a fun video – both of you! 🙂 Happy Independence Day – hope you have a great holiday!
Haha, yeah, Melissa forgot to do her research on this one…or just arrogantly assumed she knew all there was to know. Haha!
Yeah, I really think watching this movie and others (like the Philadelphia Story as you mentioned) built in me a love for witty dialogue and all things “smart” rom-com…which this one is. (Though I will admit, sometimes the dumber of today’s rom-coms make me ashamed to say that’s what I write. Haha!)
I definitely do like Clark Gable, but yeah, he doesn’t compare to Cary Grant. I think even Clark Gable admitted once that the characters he portrays on screen are all basically him being him. Not sure where I read that, though. 🙂
Never have I ever seen this movie, but it sounds delightful! Even after the production code came in, I think those old rom-coms were the best because they had to rely on witty dialogue, and not vulgarity, to get their point across.
I thought about you over the weekend – I watched Auntie Mame all the way through for the first time. You might want to put that one on your list!
Oh yeah, witty dialogue is always going to win in my opinion. I’m a sucker for good dialogue and older movies seemed to work harder at it, that’s for sure.
And here’s where I confess: I don’t know if I’ve ever really watched Auntie Mame. That’s Rosalind Russell, right? I LOVE her in His Girl Friday.
*Sorry for the late comment-lightning got our internet.
I haven’t seen this movie (though I think we own it) and before watching this I had no desire to see it but now I kinda want to check it out!
You should definitely check it out, Abbi. It’s fun and sweet. It gets especially high marks for banter. 🙂