Screwball comedies, rarely produced today except those made exclusively as a tribute, were ushered into existence with the advent of sound cinema. In silents, they were practically impossible, as their largest asset is quick, snappy dialogue. Perhaps one of the early defining examples of the screwball comedy is Capra's Academy Award winning It Happened One Night. Not only is the dialogue quick, witty and just funny, it also focuses on a humorously off-beat couple, another mainstay of the genre.
Produced in the height of the Great Depression, the poor economy creeps its way into the film, although not overtly. Gable's streetwise, out of work journalist, Peter Warne, is the major link to the depression. He hitch-hikes, cons hotels, but still has a good heart, evident in his overall kind treatment of spoiled heiress Ellie Andrews, played by Claudette Colbert. Ellie has run away from her father after he blocked her marriage to stuffy aviator King Westly. Andrews faces the depression drained world alone, and quickly learns the harsh realities of America at that moment.
Her bags are stolen. People try to con her left in right, and several times she is nearly outed to the papers for the hefty reward. This is where the audience clearly sees the ugly head of the depression. But since it is a comedy, and an escapist one at that, the depression leaves just a shadow. Our heroic couple overcomes all obstacles thrown at them, and retain their spirit.
At first, Warne can barely stand Andrew's spoiled attitude, and she can barely stand his drunken rude behavior. But, of course, they learn to bond, and eventually fall in love. One of the most memorable features of the film is the vibrant supporting cast- Andrews's father, who constantly expresses a dry glee in her would-be-husband's misfortunes, a loud, annoying bus passenger who constantly tries to flirt with Ellie until Warne imitates a gangster who claims to have kidnapped her, making him shrink into a mouse, and a singing, goofy, yet thieving man who offers the mismatched couple a ride. The hilarious supporting cast shines, yet doesn't distract from the chief dynamic at play- the couple.
Andrews and Warne come to love one another, and learn off of one another. Warne softens, while Andrews hardens. However, of course, compilations soon arise, and the Andrews finds herself still in love with Warne, yet at home with her dull husband. Normally, the final act in romantic comedies, but here, it is still fresh- both characters love each other, but refuse to admit it, even to their face. Both go out of their way to hurl insults, but under pressure, admit their love.
It Happened One Night is a shining example of early sound studio filmmaking, and of the screwball comedy. Simply, it's escapist filmmaking at its best. Sure, audiences felt the depression lurking over the characters, but mainly saw how it didn't keep them down and they didn't even dwell on it. They had each other, and that, for them, was certainly enough.
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