Recent viewings

It Happened One Night. A first-rate romantic comedy, circa 1934. Claudette Colbert is a spoiled-but-lonely heiress on the run from her father, who disapproves of her marriage to a flamboyant New York playboy. On the road, she encounters a cynical newspaper reporter (a young Clark Gable, looking disreputable in trenchcoat, fedora and pencil-thin mustache). Verbal sparks fly in all directions as they spar with each other, other bus passengers, and the occasional detective trying to track down the elusive heiress. Watching the two of them spontaneously improvise ways to distract unwelcome inquisitors, while becoming steadily closer to each other, is a sheer pleasure. Some of Gable's macho posturing wouldn't pass modern-day political muster, but aside from that minor quibble it's a delightful story from beginning to end. Highly recommended.

(Note: this review was written sometime back in January and got misplaced until now.)