Special Mother’s Day screening at the Loft Theatre tomorrow on May 8 at 1 p.m. the 1934 Clark Gable & Claudette Colbert movie, “It Happened One Night”.
From the Loft Cinema website:
Celebrate Mother’s Day with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert in one of Hollywood’s greatest, grandest and screwiest romantic comedies, Frank Capra’s IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Screenplay!
All mothers in attendance will receive a fresh-cut flower (while supplies last), and don’t forget to enter our free raffle for a basket of goodies that will help mom feel like every day is Mother’s Day!
Frank Capra’s beloved screwball classic, which won all five major Academy Awards for 1934 (the only other movies to ever achieve the “Oscar Grand Slam” were One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 1975 and Silence of the Lambs in 1991), set the pace for the romantic comedy as we now know it, and is still as breezy, beguiling and flat-out entertaining today as it was back in the day.
Based on the short story “Night Bus” by Samuel Hopkins Adams, IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT stars Claudette Colbert as spoiled heiress Ellie, who has married the gold-digging “King” Westley (Jameson Thomas), much to the displeasure of her wealthy father (Walter Connolly). Daddy retrieves her before the marriage can be consummated (remember, this was 1934!), but she runs away to New York City. On the bus, she meets the dashing Peter Warne (Clark Gable, whose infamous shirtless scene supposedly caused a massive drop in men’s undershirt sales all across the country), an out-of-work reporter. He recognizes her (her father has offered a reward for her return) and gives her a choice: if she gives him an exclusive on the story of her life, he’ll help her reunite with Westley. However, as they hit the highway for the road trip to end all road trips, the romantic sparks begin to fly, which greatly complicates her reunion with Westley.
Witty and sophisticated banter, breathless pacing, sizzling chemistry between its bickering stars and expert direction from legendary comedy genius Frank Capra (not to mention iconic moments such as the “Wall of Jericho” bedroom scene and Colbert’s naughty/sexy flash of leg used to hitch a ride) fuel this timeless Hollywood favorite.
And yours truly (a loyal Loft volunteer) will be handing out the flowers to mothers in attendance. The Loft is at 3233 E. Speedway (east of Country Club). Ticket prices $8 general, $6 Loft members. How to become a member (click here).
Happy Mother’s Day 2011.
