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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112 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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Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

Arguably Frank Capra’s first classic.

Mar 28, 2025

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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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Christian K

Could not get into this past just a few memorable moments or sequences from the leads.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/25

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Rich S

It's salty, sweet and dialogue driven and, first and foremost, it's Frank Capra. And why isn't it perfect? Well, it is if you consider all the things that have been copied from Capra's masterpiece. But perfection has been worn away by Time. It's my time, your time and the time that has passed since the film was made in 1934. Instead of a call-all-your-friends experience that would have you talking about a movie for hours, It Happened One Night is just a footnote in the annals of film. Sadly, fewer and fewer people have heard of "It Happened One Night." Fewer still is the number of people who will care.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/25

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Penny A

This was recommended today on our local drive home radio show. I lost my husband 2 years ago, and decided watching it would be a perfect way to celebrate him, a wonderfully romantic man. It didn’t disappoint!. Everything about the movie is pitch perfect. No wonder it won so many awards. My favourite movie is Some Like It Hot- It Happened One Night has many similarities, Don’t miss it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

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Will G

A charming romantic comedy. They travel by boat and train in this film. The woman annuls one marriage and then she marries another guy. A classic early sound film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/25

Full Review

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

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

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: RCA/Columbia, Columbia Pictures, 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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