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Classic of the Week: It Happened One Night (1934)

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It Happened One Night is a 1934 pre-code American romantic comedy film directed by Frank Capra. It follows the story of spoiled socialite (Claudette Colbert) tries to get away from her protective father and falls in love with a mischievous reporter (Clark Gable).

This romantic comedy is one that was considered a bit racy for the time period, but by today’s standards is extremely mild. There are references to love making and having a one night stand, but it does not happen and Ellie flashes her thigh to catch a driver’s attention in one scene. Peter Warne (Gable) smokes throughout and there is few scenes of drinking. There is slapstick violence throughout as well.

This is a lively, fun and humorous filled film. Colbert and Gable are outstanding together, making them one of the greatest movie couples in cinema history. Never is there a dull moment. A few things could have been done without like Ellie’s father slapping her for back talking, but other than that, this is a truly wonderful film. It has the right amount oof humor and romance without being too cheesy.

Despite the fact it received so-so reviews at the time of release and even from critics since then, I absolutely love this movie. It has a simple plot, that never bores and always entertains every time.

Peter paid to marry Ellie, but ends up falling in love with her and she with him. She calls off her wedding with a pilot, revealing that she is in love with Peter and their story to her father. She instead marries Peter and they spend the night in a motor court in Glen Falls, Michigan.

This film will make you laugh and warm your heart. It’s not your average love story, nothing like today’s Nicolas Sparks style stuff. It has roughness, humor and heart. How many movies from today have all that? It’s not overly sweet or mushy gushy and there is n sex. It has the right amount oof raciness, making it just sexy enough.

This is one of the few romantic Oscar Best Picture Winners and it deserved it and still would if had been directed in this decade. Everything about this movie is picture perfect. If you want a great date night film, here is one that won’t disappoint. Rough, yet lovely and laugh out loud funny.  Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! 8 & up 5/5

Posted on by chloetalksfilm

Classic of the Week: Teacher’s Pet (1958)

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Teacher’s Pet is a 1958 American romantic comedy film directed George Seaton, starring Clark Gable, Doris Day, Gig Young and Mamie Van Doren.

The film follows the story of night school instructor Erica Stone (Doris Day), who asks journalist James Gannon (Clark Gable) to speak in her class, but he turns her down via a mean letter to her. His managing editor, however forces him to go. He arrives late and finds Stone reading his letter to the class. Humiliated, he decides to join the class as a student. He poses as a wallpaper salesman named Jim Gallagher. He starts falling in love with her and eventually she falls for him too, making it hard for him to keep his alias.

This a fun, funny, cute, romantic and charming film. It is lighthearted at times, but also filled with mischief. Doris and Gable are a great pairing. Throughout the film they outsmart and bicker with each other. Although he was much older than her in the movie and in real life, Gable was still able to put on the charm. Doris put sass and back talking into her character, making it one of her most iconic roles.

The two main characters do fight a lot, but they eventually stop when they start falling in love, making this film or even enjoyable. Some parts are slow, others seem to have a bit too much bantering. It does take place almost entirely in the school, which, does get old. This romantic comedy isn’t super cheesy like most, it has its good and not so good.

Gig Young does a good job as psychologist Dr. Hugo Pine and Mamie Van Doren is equally good as nightclub singer and Gannon’s girlfriend Peggy DeFore. Although both characters are hardly shown throughout the movie.

This film is laugh out loud funny at times, but it is also clever in plot and sweet at times as well. Yes, there could have been less arguing and more scenes outside the school, but it is still a great film that will never cease to brighten your mood. It’s overall a very charming and fun film, though not quite as good as Doris’ “Pillow Talk.” But how can such a witty film go wrong with Doris singing theme song? Just makes it even cuter. 11+ 4/5