Rating: Approved | Runtime: 105 minutes
Release Date: February 22nd, 1934 (USA)
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Director(s): Frank Capra
Writer(s): Robert Riskin / Samuel Hopkins Adams (short story Night Bus)

I come from a long line of stubborn idiots!

I’ll never forget watching Frank Capra’s It Happened One Night for the first time and thinking I’d gone insane. I binged Spaceballs a million times during the 90s without ever fully acknowledging its plot had nothing to do with Star Wars despite being a Star Wars spoof. The internet didn’t exist to readily supply its actual inspiration and my parents didn’t know anything about classic cinema, so I went through life without a clue that Mel Brooks was actually riffing on Robert Riskin’s screwball comedy script beneath that galaxy far, far away skin.

It’s therefore great watching it again without the nostalgia shock. Now I could experience it on its own terms and enjoy how delightfully silly and romantic its odd couple pairing is. Because, while Brooks lifted its plot beats verbatim, every romantic comedy from the past century stands upon its shoulders in some way. Whether the roguish leading man or fish-out-of-water (not quite) damsel- (but still) in-distress, the earmarks for missed communications, involuntary flirtation, and the pain inherent to misconstrued betrayal are all present.

The film is also just a wonderful series of gags from its iconic hitchhiking contest to the over-the-top domestic theatrics used to get a couple detectives off their scent. Ellie (Claudette Colbert) needs to get to New York City and Peter (Clark Gable) needs a good story to write, so they join forces to accomplish both goals while endearing themselves to each other by way of being from such disparate worlds that society’s demand for pretense never has a chance to rear its head.

They’re chippy, blunt, and genuine from frame one with a “This is who I am, take it or leave it” attitude while proving to be more than preconceived notions. She may be pampered, but she’s unafraid to rebel. He may be self-important, but he recognizes when someone needs help. And they both allow themselves the space to have fun. To understand each other’s plight, empathize with their struggles, and still go out of their way to coax a smile if for no other reason than to remind the other they aren’t alone.

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Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert in IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT.