It happened one night
Cheerful and romantic, it’s quite the opposite of your average screwball comedy, somehow, perhaps because it was the first one made. The visual style of the film still looks like it’s from a silent and the fashion, random people happily waving and singing, especially the dramatic acting makes you think of the silents.
Ah, the walls of Jericho. It’s quite cute really, which also feels so immensely different from any other screwball comedy I have seen. This one has less dialogue, but has more funny, slapstick style scenes. Nevertheless, the chemistry between the main characters (who, of course, are arguing throughout the whole movie) is made apparent in a beautiful way, and so very modern for its time. Even though Ellie breaks down crying, she is a strong, tough woman who has a mind of her own and knows how to use words.
Every time I watch a road trip movie, I have to mention again how much I love them. This one is no exception – the simple fact that they are on the road together makes the way become closer feel so natural. Of course you would fall in love with this woman you argue with throughout the whole trip! The road trip makes these two characters who otherwise would never have known each other confront each other, and by extension themselves. So what if the script is rather cliché, silly and predictable – I loved it.
Claudette Colbert looks like a silent star. In fact, she reminds me a lot of Loris’ mother, which I suppose is a good thing. She suits this role perfectly (although I would have loved to see a young Bette Davis in it!) and I think both of them perfectly deserved their Oscars for these performances. On the other hand, Rhett B… Clark Gable kind of felt out of place in his role (but perhaps this is only because the only male lead I can see in a screwball comedy is Cary Grant), but acting-wise, he’s perfectly brilliant. And as a person, I can see how Clark Gable has much more of a ‘manly charm’.
As an avid fan of screwball comedies, of course I had to see the film which pretty much started the genre in Hollywood. I’m glad I finally did, and would totally recommend it (though not necessarily as entry drug).