It Happened One Night

Frank Capra directed the black and white film It Happened One Night in 1934. According to Lauren Rabinovitz, this film is a rag to riches story much like a modern folk tale reversal of Cinderella. This screwball comedy raises the issues of relationships, romance and gender issues. While those issues are occurring, the audience is able to not only see how things will pan out but also develop a sense of humor with not only the characters but also themselves.

Ellie Andrews is the female protagonist who is very much a kid at heart. She comes from a wealthy background, use to getting her and being taken care of. Ellie can also be very stubborn; this was shown when she jumped off the boat because she was angry at her father. She thinks that she can handle this big o’ world by herself but Capra shows several moments where she is not able to. Two examples are when she asked the driver to hold the bus because she was going to be a little late getting back on and when she was laying in the hay and Peter goes to find her something to eat, Ellie starts to get upset when she realizes he is gone even though before she said that she didn’t care if he left. When Peter Warne meets Ellie, it is hard for the audience to know at first if they are both just using each other or if their relationship can be legit. After all, Peter is interested in getting an exclusive interview with Ellie and Ellie is only interested in not being caught and taken back to her father. Lauren Rabinovitz claims that both characters discover a mutual independence of spirit, feistiness, and resilience.

In the book Pursuit of Happiness, Stanley Cavell raises a couple of interesting points about the film. One is the notion of the Walls of Jericho. Cavell mention the fact that as soon as the film introduces the idea of the Walls of Jericho that the film foreshadows the ending with the Walls of Jericho tumbling down. It is hard at first for the audience to understand the meaning behind the blanket because it is so easy to tear down so Cavell seems to think that there is a correct way in the walls tumbling and that both characters seem to be in awe of what is holding it up. Another issue being raised is the genre of remarriage where the male educates the woman which correlates with her desires. Lastly, Cavell discusses the ordeal about Ellie not eating. She would not accept food from her father and at times was told not to eat some things by Peter. Ellie seemed to not want her father’s food because she did not want to give away her intimacy and release a sense of her freedom. With Peter, she eventually decided to let down her guard and accept what all he was trying to teach her. When she ate breakfast with him that morning the cabin, he was a father figure to her. He then controlled her by not allowing her to eat those chocolates and in the diner because she had no money. When he did offer her something to eat something healthy like carrots she was disgusted which Peter took personally to mean that she didn’t want him. Finally, she became desperate enough to the point where she decided to try his carrots. She becomes open minded and willing to acknowledge her feelings for him and that it is he that she wants.