09-19-2024 - on This Moment in Film History
Listen now
Description
On September 19, 1934, the iconic film "It Happened One Night" was released in cinemas. Directed by the legendary Frank Capra, this romantic comedy starred Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert in lead roles. The film tells the story of a spoiled heiress (Colbert) who runs away from her wealthy father and falls in love with a charming, roguish reporter (Gable) during a cross-country bus trip. "It Happened One Night" is considered a landmark in cinema history for several reasons. It was one of the first screwball comedies, a genre that became immensely popular in the 1930s and 1940s. The film's witty dialogue, clever plot, and charming performances set the standard for the genre and influenced countless romantic comedies that followed. Moreover, "It Happened One Night" was the first film to win all five major Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. This achievement, known as the "Grand Slam," has only been repeated two more times in Oscar history. The film also featured several iconic scenes that have become ingrained in popular culture. One such scene is when Gable's character undresses for bed and reveals that he's not wearing an undershirt, allegedly causing a significant drop in undershirt sales across the United States. "It Happened One Night" was a critical and commercial success, helping to establish Columbia Pictures as a major Hollywood studio. The film's enduring charm, humor, and romance have made it a beloved classic that continues to captivate audiences nearly 90 years after its initial release.
More Episodes
Published 09/19/24
On September 18, 1975, the iconic film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" premiered in the United States. Directed by Miloš Forman and starring Jack Nicholson, the movie was an adaptation of Ken Kesey's 1962 novel of the same name. The film tells the story of Randle McMurphy (Nicholson), a...
Published 09/18/24
On September 17, 1998, the critically acclaimed film "Rush Hour" was released in theaters across the United States. Directed by Brett Ratner and starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, this action-comedy film became an instant hit and helped to solidify the careers of both lead actors. The film...
Published 09/17/24