It Happened One Night

*-ing Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. Directed by Frank Capra.

If you've watched the Aamir Khan/Pooja Bhatt starrer "Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin", then you know the story of "It Happened One Night".

The first feature to score the Oscar Grand Slam (Actor, Actress, Director, Movie and Screen Play) (and oh, this grandiose achievement has been done only thrice in the history of the Academy Awards - It Happened One Night, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and Silence of the Lambs).

Suave, cock-sure, full-of-himself Peter Warne (Gable) runs into rich, spoilt-brat heiress Ellie Andrews (Colbert) in a bus from Miami to New York. He on his way back to NY, and she running away from her dad and toward her husband, who is obviously despised by her dad.

Some memorable dialog exchanges and scenes (scene in the bus with the driver featuring the "Oh Yeah!" exchanges, pretending as a couple to escape from detectives, and the famous/infamous leg-expose to get a hitch) dot the movie. If you've watched the movie you know what I am talking about, else I would strongly suggest you watch this classic.

What makes this movie even more special?
Clark Gable was "demoted" to Columbia Pictures by MGM as punishment for his off-screen behavior, and Claudette Colbert reportedly disliked the film, she almost even missed receiving her own award, reputedly making her acceptance speech in travel clothes. And yet, their chemistry on screen is sparkling and natural.

Capra-esque qualities of this movie include an astute reflection of the Depression-era troubles, class mingling, and people essentially being good samaritans and looking out for each other.

And if you think Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin was nice and cute, I suggest you please watch this movie. When you essentially copy the entire screen play, you are bound to end up with a pretty good product.