Netflix it, Bishes! Clark Gable & Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night
I'm bored, and out of boredom lame ideas are inevitably born. Lame ideas that, as my followers, you will be subjected to. Sorry. Kind of. Not really. You will love it, even if I have to force you to.
**Announcement** I love old movies. Like, a lot. A shit-ton to be exact. And, to be clear, when I say old, I mean prior to 1965. I know some of you may share my passion, and some of you may not. Nevertheless, I'm going to showcase one of my fave classic films every Friday, starting today.
So take my hand, won't you? Lettuce visit Hollywood's golden era, where class and elegance reigned supreme and everyone wore underwear. No limo crotch-shots. Promise.
Which kick-ass flick to feature first?? How's about Best Picture winner of 1933, It Happened One Night, starring Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable? Sure, you say? Hey, I’m always down for talking about shirtless Clark, and you’ll get an eyeful of him in this movie. Granted, these were the days before Jack LaLanne invented the term workout. Still, Clark in his prime was mighty yummy, impo. *Clears throat* However, this isn’t the reason to watch this hilarious film. It’s just one of many.
I’m pretty lazy, too lazy to write a plot summary. Plus, I hate writing summaries. Never fear, though, because I lifted one from imdb.com.
Rebellious socialite Ellie Andrews marries King Wesley but her wealthy father has it annulled. Tired of her father's control, she runs away by diving off the family yacht in Miami and heading for New York. On the bus she meets street-smart reporter Peter Warne. They end up traveling together as Warne hopes to get a great story, and Ellie needs his worldly help. Nearing New York, with their many adventures coming to an end, they find that they are reluctantly in love and afraid to admit it to each other. After she mistakenly thinks that Warne has run out on her Ellie returns to King Wesley, but for how long? Written by Gary Jackson <[email protected]>
The thing I love about this film is that director Frank Capra managed to make people laugh without ignoring the social problems created by the Great Depression. So many films of that era shy away from the realities of joblessness and hunger and focused on fantasy and luxury, offering their audiences a few hours of much-needed escapism. This movie reminds you that tough times are out there, but there are moments of fun and laughter and possibility, too. Gable’s portrayal is lighthearted and uncomplicated, a treat for those of us so used to seeing him as the stoic, unmovable leading man. Colbert is not only gorgeous and vulnerable, but passionate and spontaneous. And I ADORE her father. The comedy here is fresh, witty, and for our generation, nostalgic. Three things I personally love.
It Happened One Night is thought to be one of the earliest screwball romantic comedies, and it helped to define a film genre. It won the top five Academy Awards for its release year, winning Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Adaptation. No other film won the top five honors again until 1975 (One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest).
So Netflix it, bish! Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan can’t hold a candle to these two. Trust.