As the first romantic comedy to win best picture, It Happened One Night is simply pure enjoyment on screen. Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable star, and in true romantic comedy fashion, they despise each other at first only to fall in love and eventually end up together, despite some difficulties and misunderstandings. When films like this win Best Picture, I find myself liking the Academy more because it shows that no matter the genre, some films are universally outstanding.
It Happened One Night is an easy movie to watch. Within the first 10 minutes, I found myself caught up in Ellie's plight against her controlling father and her desire to make her own decisions. At the same time, I scoffed like Peter when Ellie clearly shows that she thinks money will solve all problems. The chemistry between Colbert and Gable is perfect: the right amount of flirtation and frustration. They made me smile, and when they were apart, I felt their pain and confusion. This film is what modern romantic comedies should strive to be. Instead of using sex to create chemistry, the characters should use their wits, which is exactly what 1930s audiences would allow on screen. And in doing so, the romantic comedies like It Happened One Night were challenged to show love through sparring and tearing down the Walls of Jericho (watch the movie and you'll get the reference).
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