Ellen Andrews (Claudette Colbert) is a spoiled little rich girl who doesn't like being protected and confined by her father all the time. She decides to run away to New York City to be with the man she married - a man she loves, but one that her father doesn't.
She catches a "night bus" to New York, but proceeds to have her only baggage stolen. She is left with $4. Her father, Alexander Andrews (Walter Connolly) is franticly searching for her, offering a $10,000 reward for information. He sends out all of his reinforcements to find her, but to no avail.
On board the bus, she has a run in with one Peter Warne (Clark Gable), a recently fired newspaper journalist. Warne has seen the reward for Andrews' safe return, and decides to use her as a story. He is going to follow her all the way back to New York (see her returned safely) so he can turn in a dynamite story and get his job back.
Together, Peter and Ellen create trouble for each other as they journey across the country. But who does Ellen actually love, her husband, or the man who saved her life?
Updated 30-05-06
It Happened One Night is called by some the first screwball comedy. It is also very much a buddy road comedy, much like the adventures of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.
Colbert and Gable have terrific chemistry on screen and it is evident throughout the entire movie. They work well together because the lines of dialogue flow easily it just seems natural for both of them. Each plays off the other very well, and they banter back and forth like children. Screwball indeed!
This film was originally based on a short story entitled "Night Bus," and that phrase is seen throughout the film in various places. It was originally thought that this film would flop because A) Colbert wanted too much money to play the part and didn't try her best; B) It was hurriedly shot in four weeks; C) Several films involving bus trips recently flopped.
This proved to not be the case as It Happened One Night went on to win the top five Oscars (lead actor (Clark Gable), lead actress (Claudette Colbert), director (Frank Capra), adapted screenplay, and best picture. In fact, It Happened One Night was the first film to win the top five Oscars, and one of only three. (The others being One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest & The Silence of the Lambs.)
It Happened One Night is wonderfully screwball and gives as a lot of laughs. Though woefully tame by today's standards, it was almost risqué back in the day. Heck, Claudette Colbert bares her leg! GASP!
Still, the film is a welcome addition to any collection and indeed a best picture collection, as there so few comedies that have won best picture. It is hard to say what its charm may be; it might be the fact that Clark Gable was cast against type or that a bus picture was bound to succeed sooner or later. Who knows? Maybe it's the fact that Clark Gable takes his under-shirt off, the cause of declining under-shirt sales for years to come.
Plot: 
This is a screwball comedy from a time when comedies were really funny. This is one of the best ever made.
Visual Effects:
There aren't many visual effects shots, but the cinematography is decent.
Sound:
Character Development:
Warne and Andrews grow to understand one another, and... well, I won't spoil the ending. ^_^
Atmosphere:
A wonderful old time comedy from two of Hollywood's finest. It is easy to get into and enjoyable for anyone of any age. Terrific.
Realism:
Warren’s Rating:
Movies it beat out for Best Picture:
The Barretts of Wimpole Street; Cleopatra;
Flirtation Walk; The Gay Divorcee;
Here Comes the Navy; The House of Rothschild;
Imitation of Life; One Night of Love;
The Thin Man; Viva Villa!; The White Parade
7.14/10 Is the movie worth your time to watch?
20-10-03
Age at win: 34
Nominated for: Best Actor in a Leading Role, Peter Warne, It Happened One Night
Nomination: 1/3 (acting), 1/3 (total); Win: Only
Clark Gable won his only Oscar for It Happened One Night. He was very funny as Peter Warne, and brought a dynamic something to the roll that no one else could.
Clark Gable was loaned to Columbia from MGM because, at the time, MGM bosses were made at Gable's complaining and off-camera antics. This was supposed to be punishment. (Was it really?). Gable felt that if the project didn't take off after a few days, he would leave. (He couldn't anyway.)
Gable, the dashing, leading man of the golden age of film is cast against type in this screwball comedy, and it works very well. His struggles with the spoiled rich girl and his never-ending comebacks make for delightful comedy.
One can only think, however, that the only reason the film did so well is because so many women went back over and over again to see the film only to see Clark Gable take his under-shirt off!
Whatever way you look at it, Gable and Colbert are beautiful on screen together and their chemistry is exceptional. There couldn't have been anyone else better than Gable in the lead role. It's sad to note that this was Gable's only Oscar win (albeit much deserved) because he was much better in Gone With the Wind (although that was a totally different movie.)
20-10-03
Age at win: 31
Nominated for: Best Actress in a Leading Role, Ellen Andrews, It Happened One Night
Nomination: 1/3 (acting), 1/3 (total); Win: Only
Claudette was about to leave on a trip to Sun Valley, but on that very day she was called to work on It Happened One Night. She agreed to do the picture, but only if it would take no longer than four weeks to film, and if she would get $50,000 a week, not her usual $25,000. (A bit demanding, eh?)
Amazingly, producers agreed. She was hired.
Colbert was perfect as the snobby little rich girl. She has a charm that creates an instant chemistry with Clark Gable, and together they are perfect on-screen.
It Happened One Night, a little bit bubbly and a whole lot of screwball earned Claudette her only Oscar, and a well deserved one at that.
20-10-03
Clark Gable
DOB: February 1, 1901; DOD: November 16, 1960
Clark Gable's performance
Claudette Colbert
DOB: September 13, 1903; DOB: July 31, 1996
Claudette Colbert's performance
