Journal 3 It Happend One Night

 

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening

In legendary director Frank Capra's 1934 film "It Happened One Night" we learned how this represented the "screwball comedies" of the 1930's. Because of censorship in the film industry at the time, men and woman were not suppose to be over sexualized or physical, so it was replaced by men and woman bantering with snappy dialogue and insults. The characters, played by Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable, portray this in the various situations they find themselves in.



2) Find a related article and summarize the content.  (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) You can use the library or the internet.  We will discuss suitable references in class.  Cite the article and copy the URL to your journal entry. You should also mention the title of the article and author directly in the answer.  Summarize in your own words the related article but do not plagiarize any content.  



http://www.greencine.com/static/primers/screwball.jsp

In Screwball comedy by Gregg Rickman for the movie site Greencine.com, the author discusses the film and how he is in agreement with the majority of film historians that it is not only the first, but the model screwball comedy. Rickman points to the 1933 film "Baby Face" where Barbara Stanwyck's character sleeps with many men of a corporation, as the reason for the Hayes code and for films like this. As far as screwball comedies are concerned, he feels that it was actually the first feminist movements as it put women characters on equal ground as their male counterparts. He also feels that such actress' such as Julia Roberts in films like "Runaway Bride" would not exists without characters like Ellie Andrews.

 

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.   How did the article support or change the way you thought about the film, director, content, etc.?  

This article supported the way I thought of the film on certain levels, as I could see from the scenes, that they would go to great lengths to avoid any physical contact, all while portraying that they were in love. But I disagree with that it could be looked at as a feminist work, as the character of Ellie Andrews was completely helpless without having another character help her out.

 

4) Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of 4 things: the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.  I am less interested in whether you liked or disliked a film, (although that can be part of this) than I am in your understanding of its place in film history or the contributions of the director.  

I felt that after all the things we learned from the class discussions and writings on the film, that it was amazing they were able to make such a solid, well rounded film. You would think with all the obstacles they faced as a result of the Hayes code, that they would not be able to portray such a charming believable love story. I admire how the actors are able to turn their parts into three dimensional characters, unlike the modern romantic comedies of today.



CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

    

1(*)
I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2(*)
 If  I reused  any  information  from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly  explain that in  the paper.

3(*)I used  any passages word for  word, I  put quotations around those words, or used  indentation  and  citation within  the  text.

 

4 (*)

 have not  padded the bibliography.  I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5(*)
 I have  cited in the bibliography  only  the pages I personally read.

 

6(*)I have used  direct quotations only in  cases where it  could not  be  stated in another way.I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7(*)
 I  did  not so over-­‐use direct quotations that the paper lack interpretation  or  originality.

8(*)
I checked yes on steps 1-­‐7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

 

 Name: ______Marc Ennis___________________________

Date:  ___03/23/2014_________________________

 

Rickman, Gregg. "Screwball Comedy." Greencine.com All Media Guide LLC., N.D. Web. 23 Mar.
    
     2014.