It Happened One Night

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It Happened One Night

Released Feb 22, 1934

1h 45m

Romance

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

98%

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111 Reviews

93%

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25,000+ Ratings

In Frank Capra's acclaimed romantic comedy, spoiled heiress Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert) impetuously marries the scheming King Westley, leading her tycoon father (Walter Connolly) to spirit her away on his yacht. After jumping ship, Ellie falls in with cynical newspaper reporter Peter Warne (Clark Gable), who offers to help her reunite with her new husband in exchange for an exclusive story. But during their travels, the reporter finds himself falling for the feisty young heiress.

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Critics Consensus

Capturing its stars and director at their finest, It Happened One Night remains unsurpassed by the countless romantic comedies it has inspired.

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Caroline Siede

Girl Culture (Substack)

Really, what makes It Happened One Night special is that—unlike the rom-coms that followed in its wake—it doesn’t have to be in conversation with what it means to “be a rom-com.”

Jul 9, 2024

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

The grandaddy of all rom-coms is this ingenious, fabulously smutty and still relevant 90-year-old two-hander.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 9, 2024

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Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

Considering its subject, it is better than it has any right to be -- better acted, better directed, better written.

Sep 11, 2023

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Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

Satisfying and romantic, the chemistry between Gable and Colbert is unmatched.

Jun 14, 2023

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

...It Happened One Night remains one of the greatest romantic comedies ever made.

Rated: 5/5

Mar 17, 2023

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Victor Pineyro

Seventh Art Studio

The acting provides deceit, romance and comedy in a grandiose way. But it's inevitable to feel that time has gone by and through It Happened One Night's narrative efforts. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Jun 23, 2022

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David S

Love this film! always have! - what was that he questioned about Love is triumphant?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/28/24

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William B

One of my favorite Capra's movies. Nice plot.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/22/24

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Brian C

FULL OF CHARM AND WIT THAN REACHES ACROSS THE DECADES. A WONDERFUL ROMANTIC AND COMIC FILM THAT SHAMES CONTEMPORARY EFFORTS TO PORTRAY LOVE AND ROMANCE.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/18/24

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Guy D

Clark Gable is witty and Claudette Colbert wears her feelings on her sleeve. The audience gets pulled into a bus trip from Florida to New York. They don't get along very well but I found myself rooting for them. I watched it because Gable is a good actor & Frank Capra is a legend, but I was very surprised at how well all the actors perform in this comedy. It is perfection personified. I can understand how the move captured several academy awards.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/08/24

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elana k

Good for what it is. Great for the times. Excellent history lesson.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/24

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Alec B

Yes, the plot is hugely influential, but its the details, like the minor digressions, odd little comedic bits, and the electric chemistry of Gable and Colbert, that make the whole film hold up so well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/10/23

Full Review

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Frank Capra

Director

Claudette Colbert

Ellie Andrews

Clark Gable

Peter Warne

Walter Connolly

Alexander Andrews

Roscoe Karns

Oscar Shapeley

Alan Hale

Danker

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It Happened One Night: Official Clip - Make Way for the King

1:48

It Happened One Night: Official Clip - The Pleasure Was All Mine

1:57

It Happened One Night: Official Clip - A Perfectly Nice Married Couple

2:12

It Happened One Night: Official Clip - Go Back to Your Bed

2:13

It Happened One Night: Official Clip - This Isn't Piggyback!

1:47

It Happened One Night: Official Clip - The Walls of Jericho

2:13

It Happened One Night: Official Clip - Lessons in Hitchhiking

1:40

It Happened One Night: Official Clip - Dropping In

2:12

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It Happened One Night: Trailer 1

1:22

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Synopsis

In Frank Capra's acclaimed romantic comedy, spoiled heiress Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert) impetuously marries the scheming King Westley, leading her tycoon father (Walter Connolly) to spirit her away on his yacht. After jumping ship, Ellie falls in with cynical newspaper reporter Peter Warne (Clark Gable), who offers to help her reunite with her new husband in exchange for an exclusive story. But during their travels, the reporter finds himself falling for the feisty young heiress.

Director: Frank Capra
Producer: Frank Capra, Harry Cohn
Screenwriter: Samuel Hopkins Adams, Robert Riskin
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, RCA/Columbia, Columbia TriStar Home Video
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 22, 1934, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Flat (1.37:1)

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