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IMDbPro

It Happened One Night

  • 19341934
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
103K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,519
881
Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night (1934)
A spoiled heiress, running away from her family, is helped by a man who's actually a reporter looking for a story. But then he falls for her...
Play trailer2:31
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Comedy
  • Romance
A renegade reporter trailing a young runaway heiress for a big story joins her on a bus heading from Florida to New York, and they end up stuck with each other when the bus leaves them behin... Read allA renegade reporter trailing a young runaway heiress for a big story joins her on a bus heading from Florida to New York, and they end up stuck with each other when the bus leaves them behind at one of the stops.A renegade reporter trailing a young runaway heiress for a big story joins her on a bus heading from Florida to New York, and they end up stuck with each other when the bus leaves them behind at one of the stops.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
103K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,519
881
  • Director
    • Frank Capra
  • Writers
    • Robert Riskin(screen play)
    • Samuel Hopkins Adams(based on the short story by)
  • Stars
    • Clark Gable
    • Claudette Colbert
    • Walter Connolly
Top credits
  • Director
    • Frank Capra
  • Writers
    • Robert Riskin(screen play)
    • Samuel Hopkins Adams(based on the short story by)
  • Stars
    • Clark Gable
    • Claudette Colbert
    • Walter Connolly
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 338User reviews
    • 127Critic reviews
    • 87Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #242
    • Won 5 Oscars
      • 11 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos2

    It Happened One Night -- Trailer
    Trailer 2:31
    It Happened One Night -- Trailer
    It Happened One Night | Anniversary Mashup
    Video 1:15
    It Happened One Night | Anniversary Mashup

    Photos117

    Clark Gable, Frank Capra, and Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night (1934)
    Clark Gable, Frank Capra, Claudette Colbert, and Carole Lombard in It Happened One Night (1934)
    Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night (1934)
    Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night (1934)
    Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night (1934)
    Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night (1934)
    Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night (1934)
    Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night (1934)
    Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert, IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, Columbia, 1934, **I.V.
    "It Happened One Night," Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. 1934 Columbia
    "It Happened One Night," Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. 1934 Columbia
    Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night (1934)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Clark Gable
    Clark Gable
    • Peter Warneas Peter Warne
    Claudette Colbert
    Claudette Colbert
    • Ellie Andrewsas Ellie Andrews
    Walter Connolly
    Walter Connolly
    • Alexander Andrewsas Alexander Andrews
    Roscoe Karns
    Roscoe Karns
    • Oscar Shapeleyas Oscar Shapeley
    Jameson Thomas
    Jameson Thomas
    • King Westleyas King Westley
    Alan Hale
    Alan Hale
    • Dankeras Danker
    Arthur Hoyt
    Arthur Hoyt
    • Zekeas Zeke
    Blanche Friderici
    Blanche Friderici
    • Zeke's Wifeas Zeke's Wife
    Charles C. Wilson
    Charles C. Wilson
    • Joe Gordonas Joe Gordon
    Ernie Adams
    Ernie Adams
    • The Bag Thiefas The Bag Thief
    • (uncredited)
    Jessie Arnold
    Jessie Arnold
    • Woman at Auto Campas Woman at Auto Camp
    • (uncredited)
    Irving Bacon
    Irving Bacon
    • Gas Station Attendantas Gas Station Attendant
    • (uncredited)
    William Bailey
    William Bailey
    • Clarkas Clark
    • (uncredited)
    William Begg
    William Begg
    • Wedding Party Guestas Wedding Party Guest
    • (uncredited)
    William A. Boardway
    William A. Boardway
    • Wedding Guestas Wedding Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Ward Bond
    Ward Bond
    • Bus Driver #1as Bus Driver #1
    • (uncredited)
    Harry C. Bradley
    Harry C. Bradley
    • Hendersonas Henderson
    • (uncredited)
    George P. Breakston
    George P. Breakston
    • Boy Bus Passengeras Boy Bus Passenger
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Frank Capra
    • Writers
      • Robert Riskin(screen play)
      • Samuel Hopkins Adams(based on the short story by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Clark Gable gave the Oscar he won for his performance in this movie to a child who admired it, telling him it was the winning of the statue that had mattered, not owning it. The child returned the Oscar to the Gable family after Clark's death.
    • Goofs
      After King lands and taxis in the autogyro, apparently the sole occupant, a man is visible in the cockpit crouching down as King walks around and to the rear of the autogyro.
    • Quotes

      [after Ellen stops a car by showing her leg]

      Ellie Andrews: Aren't you going to give me a little credit?

      Peter Warne: What for?

      Ellie Andrews: I proved once and for all that the limb is mightier than the thumb.

      Peter Warne: Why didn't you take off all your clothes? You could have stopped forty cars.

      Ellie Andrews: Well, ooo, I'll remember that when we need forty cars.

    • Connections
      Featured in Hollywood: The Great Stars (1963)
    • Soundtracks
      Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf
      (uncredited)

      Written by Frank Churchill and Ann Ronell

      Sung a cappella by Clark Gable

    User reviews338

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    A cute romantic comedy that was a pioneer of its genre
    It Happened One Night is one of those films that is so classic, and on so many `must-see' lists that I actually assumed that I had seen it at one time or another. It wasn't until I actually looked into the film when I in fact realized I hadn't.

    The first film to sweep the major categories in an Oscar ceremony, It Happened One Night spins the story of a young spoiled heiress (Colbert) who marries a shallow, yet dashing aviator. She is then swept off by her father who takes her on a cruise; convinced that time away from each other will cure her infatuation. Instead, she escapes by jumping out of the boat and swimming to shore where she begins her journey from Miami to New York, where her husband awaits. The film quickly turns into an `on the road' flick at this point when she meets up with Clark Gable, a down on his luck reporter who offers to help her for the exclusive rights to her story. Mayhem inevitably ensues as one thing after another goes wrong during their adventure.

    I'm a little hesitant to completely agree with the general assessment that It Happened One Night is a screwball comedy. Of course, there were certain moments that were hilarious and overdone (the scene when Gable and Colbert pose as husband and wife to share a cabin for the night is absolutely rich) but the majority of the remaining film is clever romantic comedy with fairly even performances by the principles. Perhaps there is a sliding scale for screwball comedies, with It Happened One Night being a two and a film that I feel personifies the genre, Bringing up Baby, as a five.

    Whatever its classification, It Happened One Night is a charming film that backs up its merit as a multiple Oscar winner. It is one of those films that may not be completely profound or deep, but is important nonetheless if anything, for its place in film history.

    --Shelly
    helpful•27
    4
    • FilmOtaku
    • Dec 11, 2003

    FAQ11

    • What is 'It Happened One Night' about?
    • Is "It Happened One Night" based on a book?
    • What is the song everyone was singing on the bus?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 22, 1934 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Night Bus
    • Filming locations
      • Busch Gardens - S. Grove Avenue, Pasadena, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $325,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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