It Happened One Night

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

While silent films were definitely an art form within film to revere, sound came in and it hit hard. As it was discussed in class, it was around this time in the film industry that censorship came into play. While film itself was definitely not a new medium, sound was a recently developed facet within the medium, and as a result, The Catholic Legion of Decency felt it necessary to write the production code. It Happened One Night, directed by Frank Capra (starring Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable), fell into the code’s path and just made the cut to be approved for a seal. Sex, in a rather overt and physical sense, was replaced with sexual tension that was portrayed more so through sophisticated and witty dialogue. Even appearances changed as the main character Ellie (Claudette Colbert) wore clothes like suits or just business attire in general that would usually be worn more by men. The role of women, in its entirety, changed as screwball comedy stomped its way onto sets and into films during this time in the 30’s. Women became more or less equal to their male counterparts; they weren’t only making strides in film, but in reality as well. They were still sexy, but this was brought forth through their intellect and the way that they talked.

2) Find a related article and summarize the content.  

“It Happened One Night” written by Scott Tobias more or less gave a brief overview of the film applying it to the time period that surrounded it. The article seemed to gravitate toward small moments in the film that really meant something, but would connect it to the world in a way many people may not have thought about before. I found it interesting that the article brought some of the views of different critics into play, who if I recall correctly, called the film “escapist and egalitarian” (Tobias, par. 2) and I could not agree more. Not only did the film allow its viewer to be completely encompassed within that world, it definitely relayed a strong message about equality and that stands out. Moving along, the article also discuses what made the film as great as it was, referring back to Capra’s techniques, which I felt helped the film reach different levels and allowed it be “about more than this one love story” (Tobias, par. 4).

***Link to article used***

Tobias, Scott. "It Happened One Night." The Dissolve. N.p., 24 Nov. 2014. Web.

13 Oct. 2015. <https://thedissolve.com/reviews/1236-it-happened-one-night/>.

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.  

With this article, Tobias was able to really put into perspective the work the film was able to do apart from just entertaining its viewers. It changed the way that I viewed some of those small and simple moments, and nonetheless, gave them even more meaning, Touching on the idea aforementioned, that the film was more than just this love story, Tobias points out that “it’s every bit as much about freedom, democracy, and The American Way” (Tobias, par. 4). The idea of freedom really hit home for me, especially when it comes to the era that the film was made in with what was happening for women at the time. It is partly the freedom of expression, and the freedom to be who you are unapologetically even if it takes a while to figure out how to own it. This struck me about Ellie. She has these qualities (when one really digs deep into her character) within her and about her that don’t come full force in the beginning but rather develop gradually as she grows as a person. Her sense of freedom and control made me feel as though I possessed it as well.

4) Write a critical analysis of the film.

It Happened One Night, one of Frank Capra’s first screwball comedies, has made its own mark in film history. The text points out that the film “reflects many of the social conditions of the 1930s” (Foster 126). This is one of the qualities of the film that I definitely appreciated most because it confirms that the director cares enough to show the audience why this art matters with everything that is going on around it. With that said, class struggles are also portrayed within the film showing how two things that may seem to be at odds can actually be more alike than one would think. The film encompasses the very nature of women in the 30s, and while it was definitely subject to censorship and the rules provided by The Catholic Legion of Decency, it found a way to be magical regardless. What is the point of art if all of the rules are followed? Overall, It Happened One Night can truly speak to anyone who has been fortunate enough to see it. The fact that it can relate to people across the board is what makes it truly special. I teared up when Ellie teared up, got mad when Peter got mad, laughed at every joke, and fell more in love with their love even when they weren’t for sure if they loved each other at all. This film is one that I will never forget… hats off to Capra.

Foster, William R. "Hollywood and the Great Depression." Early Film History. Dubuque, IA:
          Kendall Hunt Pub., 2009. 126-128. Print.

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) ( x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.