Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert) is a spoiled heiress who runs away from her family when they make her unwilling make her marry aviator King Westley. She soon gets on a bus to get back to her husband. On the bus she meets reporter Peter Warne (Clark Gable), who recently lost his job. However, as the two get to know each other, Peter threatens to make her stay with him, or let the story loose and get Ellie back to her father. No matter what, Peter will get a great newspaper story.The film is very well written and shot. Robert Riskin did a terrific job writing this film and it is especially shown by Gable based on what he says. Whether it be Gable's false threats or his small-talk with Ellie, Riskin does a fantastic job of writing. Capra, too impresses with his fantastic eye for the camera, directing this film better than any I had seen until Gone With the Wind.
However, the best part of the film is the chemistry between Gable and Colbert. At first you can sense the uneasiness between the two, based on how rotten they are with each other. Later on, you can see the friendship that develops, and all of the comedic moments the two share. For example, when Gable and Colbert are looking for a ride, Peter shows the ways of showing how to pick up a ride in a car. After about twenty cars, he gives up. When Ellie takes a shot at it, she does the classic "pull up her skirt revealing a thigh" routine, they get a ride easily. You can easily sense the frustration Peter Warne goes through then.
This film really is great. As I said earlier in the review, this film definitely holds up. It is funny, entertaining, innocent, and surely worth a watch to see the first terrific Best Picture winner chosen by the academy. Also, I want to say that it has arguably the best title for a romantic comedy. It Happened One Night receives a 3/4.
