Advertisement

CRIMSON PLAYGOER

"IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT" Keith's RKO

Elsie Andrews  Claudette Colbert Peter Warn  Clark Gable Mr. Andrews  Walter Connolly Mr. Shapely  Roscoe Karns

This film is not all that is title would seem to indicate, and in comparison with "A Man's Castle" it may appear weak. Nevertheless there pervades this production the same spirit of nonchalance and gay insolence which characterized Clark Gable's earlier work.

The dialogue as a rule moves quickly with plenty of repartee, except when the producer tries to inject sentimentality into it. As for the characterization, Clark Gable of course heads the list as the woman-hating reporter who drifts into the ways of love. Walter Connolly, as Mr. Andrews, does remarkably well. But Miss Colbert is convincing in spite of playing second fiddle to Mr. Gable and because her lines are inherently good. Most of the "local color" characters speak with a labored accent but are rather picturesque.

The plot in spite of numerous inconsistencies, is undeniably amusing and bears earmarks of originality. No time is lost in superfine introduction. In the first minute Elsie Andrews breaks with her millionaire father on the subject of matrimony, dives gracefully from the parental yacht and strikes out for shore with a fast crawl stroke. After cleverly dodging her father's detectives she leaves Miami via bus for New York to rejoin her lover. On the bus she meets Peter Warn, who after the typical Clark Gable show of insolence takes her under his protection. Then ensue several scenes at tourist camps, many of them quite amusing. The result is that the couple by gradual stages progress to New York. Then come several bewildering episodes which are inexplicable according to the ordinary rules of human behavior, but which are followed by a denouement which could hardly be improved upon. On the whole Clark Gable's acting makes the picture well worth seeing.

Advertisement

Recommended Articles

Advertisement