History Is Made at Night

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History Is Made at Night

Released Mar 5, 1937

1h 37m

Romance

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100%

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14 Reviews

77%

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50+ Ratings

When his wife, Irene (Jean Arthur), plans to divorce him, wealthy and cruel businessman Bruce Vail (Colin Clive) sends his chauffeur to her Paris hotel room so he can catch her in a compromising position. Instead, Bruce interrupts a masked thief, who kidnaps Irene. Later, the thief -- head waiter Paul Dumond (Charles Boyer) -- reveals to Irene that he overheard the plot and wanted to help. After a romantic evening, Irene falls in love with Paul, but Bruce will stop at nothing to ruin them.

Dan Callahan

Slant Magazine

History Is Made at Night is a patchwork quilt genre bender that stands as one of Frank Borzage's supreme achievements.

Rated: 4/4

Jul 19, 2006

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Brian Susbielles

InSession Film

It is one of Hollywood’s hidden unknowns despite a recognizable cast that can flip easily in tone but maintains its integrity in the fleeting moments of danger.

Mar 6, 2023

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Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

“There’s a kamikaze quality to 'History Is Made At Night,' a breathless, anything-can-happen flood of events that mirrors the headlong feeling of falling in love for the first time.

Dec 2, 2022

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David Harris

Spectrum Culture

A go-for-broke approach to genre conventions imbues History is Made at Night with a sparkling infusion of "what comes next," making it feel more alive than most movies from the era.

Nov 30, 2021

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Borzage's gift is that he makes this bizarre, convoluted story somehow flow, while feeling totally natural and honest. The emotions felt in it are absolutely genuine, and it truly is a thing of beauty.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 13, 2021

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Betsy Sherman

Arts Fuse

Jean Arthur was a bright light of the screwball comedy genre...

Jun 28, 2021

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Rare T

Those who say this is Jean’s Arthur’s best performance, are right indeed. Her ability to meticulously display romantic feeling and sentiment is as convincing as if it were in real life.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/06/24

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LB P

I couldn't handle Jean Arthur's miscasting and overacting. I usually really like her but her melodramatic acting and facial expressions were ridiculous.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/24/24

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Deke P

1937. Odd title. GREAT CAST! GREAT REVIEWS! Even if one only watches a part of it, it becomes obvious that the GREAT REVIEWS are true and this is an exceptional film. Never heardo til saw it on the tellyvision screen 2.3.23. Note to sef: watch it ALL over agin, paying particular attention to A-Z.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/03/23

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william d

A murder mystery, a romantic comedy, a domestic drama, a disaster movie - this film is all over the place. Trying to cover so many bases at once is ultimately unsatisfying.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

The best romance movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

the Chemistry between the two leads were amazing ^^

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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Frank Borzage

Director

Charles Boyer

Paul Dumond

Jean Arthur

Irene Vail

Colin Clive

Bruce Vail

Leo Carrillo

Cesare

Ivan Lebedeff

Michael Browsky

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Synopsis

When his wife, Irene (Jean Arthur), plans to divorce him, wealthy and cruel businessman Bruce Vail (Colin Clive) sends his chauffeur to her Paris hotel room so he can catch her in a compromising position. Instead, Bruce interrupts a masked thief, who kidnaps Irene. Later, the thief -- head waiter Paul Dumond (Charles Boyer) -- reveals to Irene that he overheard the plot and wanted to help. After a romantic evening, Irene falls in love with Paul, but Bruce will stop at nothing to ruin them.

Director: Frank Borzage
Producer: Walter Wanger
Screenwriter: Gene Towne, C. Graham Baker
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Walter Wanger Productions
Genre: Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 5, 1937, Original
Runtime: 1h 37m