It Happened One Night
1934 · Movie · NR · 105 min · ★ 7.8 · 93% critics
A runaway heiress strikes up a deal with a rogue reporter trailing her, but their clash turns into reluctant companionship when their bus leaves them behind. With the road full of setbacks, the mismatched pair must keep moving—and learn more about each other along the way.
Also known as Night Bus
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Watch free on The Roku Channel, YouTube Movies & TV and Tubi — also streaming on TCM.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 1934
- Release date
- 1934-02-22
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Max quality
- HD
- Critic score
- 93/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.8/10 (1,404 votes)
- Budget
- $325,000
About
Watch if you enjoy classic romantic comedies with fast banter, road-trip mishaps, and a growing sense of rapport between two mismatched people; Not for you if you dislike older gender dynamics or want romance that feels equally balanced.
Pros: witty, brisk adventure; charming lead chemistry; classic rom-com charm | Cons: dated gender politics; inconsistent romance feel; some viewers find it slow
Themes
- newspaper
- miami, florida
- marriage
- reporter
- black and white
- screwball comedy
- socialite
- pre-code
- based on short story
- screwball
- hitchhiking
- road movie
- +7 more
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1935
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 1935
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1935
- Academy Award — Best Actress · 1935
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1935
Show all 11 awards →
- National Board of Review Award — Best Film · 1934
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1935 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Actress · 1935 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1935 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 1935 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1935 · nominated
Cast & crew
Clark Gable
as Peter Warne
Claudette Colbert
as Ellie Andrews
Walter Connolly
as Alexander Andrews
Roscoe Karns
as Oscar Shapeley
Jameson Thomas
as King Westley
Alan Hale
as Danker
Arthur Hoyt
as Zeke
Blanche Friderici
as Zeke's Wife
Charles C. Wilson
as Joe Gordon
Ernie Adams
as Bag Thief (uncredited)
Directed by Frank Capra