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What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Scott G. Mignola

In this classic Frank Capra romantic comedy, fate throws an unlikely pair -- reporter Peter Warne (Clark Gable) and spoiled society woman Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert) -- together on a bus headed for New York. Upon learning that she's fleeing her millionaire father to be with her disapproved-of new husband, Warne smells a headline and tags after her. The two grow close on the trip, and before they reach New York they're broke and in love.

Is It Any Good?

5

As fresh today as it was in 1934, this sharply written comedy is great fun from setup on through its lively, suspenseful final minutes. An instant hit in 1934, IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT was the first movie to win all five major Academy Awards. The manic story line established the formula for screwball comedies like Bringing Up Baby with Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn.

Frank Capra was a wonderful director with a knack for squeezing the charm out of his actors, which is evident all over the place here. He and screenwriter Robert Riskin would team up again for Meet John Doe.

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