Why isn't this movie discussed?
History is Made at Night rocks! It is my all time favorite movie. It has everything.....Romance, thrils, comedic interlude, a villian and a great climax!
shareAren't you discussing it? BTW - What is a villan?
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MovieChat Forums > History Is Made at Night (1937) Discussion > Why isn't this movie discussed?
I agree. Just watched it again the other night. Sadly it has been forgotten for the most part, even though it has a whole Titanic-esque side to it.
shareHISTORY IS MADE AT NIGHT is loved by a great many fans...Colin Clive fans in particular. He was essentially dying when he made it, suffering from the effects of chronic alcoholism, tuberculosis and frequent breakdowns. He also turned in a performance that was considered by many to be the best of his career.
His "Bruce Vail" was the essence of what a supporting "Character" should be...that of the heroine's worst nightmare.
Vail was brutal, sarcastic and howling mad, and yet almost pitiful in his obsession with Irene. Even in the film's lightest moments, his dark presence kept the lovely story from floating away like a soapbubble.
Each of the four stars was at the top of his or her game here, but Colin Clive should have at least gotten a nomination for best supporting actor. He literally gave his all, and went out with all flags flying.
Colin Glennie Clive Greig
20 January 1900 - 25 June 1937
[deleted]
I couldn't bear to watch "Night To Remember" or "Titanic" after seeing "History Is Made At Night" with its lovely happy ending! It is my favorite romantic film, and I wish more people would see it.
"I thought I told you to come alone."
This film has it all.
Colin Clive was terrific and I am mesmerized by his body language in the film. Perhaps it was his ill-health or stage training, but when he grabs Jean Arthur on the boat and says it's their second honeymoon....he conveys such a sense of foreboding. I cringe along with Jean as he wraps his arms around her shoulders.
Jean and Charles play perhaps the most believable lovers ever. You actually felt them fall in love...you witnessed them falling in love, it was magical.
Yes, some of the movie is dated and I do cringe at the chauffeur's scene with Clive, ( I need the money, Mr. Vail ) but all in all, this movie has it all.
When Jean comes out of the lifeboat......"Paul, I won't leave you" . Man, you have to be hooked!
My all-time favorite movie.
It has nothing. Nothing at all! What are you going about woman!
shareWhen Jean comes out of the lifeboat......"Paul, I won't leave you" . Man, you have to be hooked!You said it, sister! My goodness – that was my favorite part of the entire film!! And what about the score? I don't mean the instrumentals of well-known songs of the day (there were plenty of those in the film to) – but the beautiful score that was unique to the film. The background music, which played during those dramatic scenes and during many of the romantic ones. What a beautiful score!
My all-time favorite movie.
I have to say – one of the reasons why I don't often like older movies quite as much as the newer ones is the score seems too melodramatic and not subtle and romantic enough. But in this movie – the score is almost perfect!
Please excuse typos/funny wording; I use speech-recognition that doesn't always recognize! share
For those of us who have TCM, HISTORY IS MADE AT NIGHT will be shown on Tuesday night, 06 March 2012..at 7:15pm PST!!! (10:15pm EST)
This Colin Clive fan can't wait...especially if it's a restored print!
"I do hope he won't upset Henry..."
Great news! Hopefully it wil expose this forgotten film to many a classic film lover. This film had it all! Arthur, Boyer and Clive! If it had been a MAJOR studio release, it would hae won awards and been big Box Office.
shareFirst time seeing it and I LOVED LOVED LOVED this movie! I'm 70 years old and have watched every old movie I have ever come across. How in the heck I have missed this one is beyond me. Very good movie.
shareIt IS wonderful, isn't it? It's funny, but it showed up more on the East Coast than on the West. In the early 1970s I lived in New Jersey, and saw it 5 or 6 times. (g) No VCRS then, so I'd set my alarm. When I came to California in 1976, I remember seeing it Once. I remember it distinctly, because I had an audio jack installed on my TV. That way, I was able to patch to my tape recorder and make an audio cassette of the film.
I haven't seen HISTORY on either Broadcast or Cable TV until tonight's showing on TCM.
They've cleaned it up quite well, but there IS a tiny bit missing: a minute clip of the man Vachet picking up the handkerchief wrapped jewels that Irene throws over the balcony. They probably snipped it to make Bruce seem even more brutal.
One final thing. There is an Excellent Brazilian DVD that is viewable in the US. It has Portuguese subtitles, but they can easily be turned off.
How lovely it was to see it again..,.
"I do hope he won't upset Henry..."
For sure the movie is entertaining but has plot holes, inconsistencies, half truths but nevertheless a frustrating and fun watch. I was really amused by Ceasar and thinking what's an Italian chef doing in a famous 'french' restaurant...if you know the french...that would never happen...or perhaps he couldn't muster a decent french accent!
sharePaul and Cesare OWNED the "CHATEAU BLEU" in Paris. His relaxed manner with the wealthy patrons in Paris suggests this. In "VICTOR'S". in New York, he disparagingly refers to himself as a "Waiter", when talking to Irene. She tosses it right back at him, saying that he's a "HEAD Waiter".
I do hope he won't upset Henry...
Please clarify - what happens to Cesare? (Leo Carillo) at the end? He is praying then the scene shifts and they will be rescued, but they do not show him surviving. Did he jump ship? Very confusing. They show nameless faces but he is a pivotal character and I don't understand why they did not show him rejoicing too.
shareCesare was put into a lifeboat by Paul after he was injured by the ice. His final scene, while praying, was in a lifeboat. That's why he was not shown rejoicing at the end--no one on the lifeboats knew that the ship was no longer in immediate danger.
That final scene was wonderful. The differing expressions of joy on the passengers and crew were amazing--some jumping for joy, some crying in silent thanks and prayer, some laughing hysterically. In one shot an officer and crew member meet on the stairs and shake hands and hold arms for a long time--their faces showing such a true emotion of pure joy of the moment.
Frank Borzage was brilliant at those scenes--a truly underrated director.
"Who's running this airline?!"
I just watched History again on TCM. I think the reason it was not more popular is because if the ending. It is so intense and mimics the Titanic disaster so closely. It brings up all the same horrors and emotions that the real Titanic disaster brought to so many people. Then it suddenly shifts gears and tells us everyone - including those in the lifeboats - are saved. For me, it was a slap in the face just as my emotions had taken root in the assumed fate of our hero and heroine. I felt betrayed and felt betrayal of the many souls that were really lost in the Titanic. At that moment, it lost all integrity for me and made me shake my head in disbelief.
I think it was very brazen to include so many obvious similarities to the Titanic. Even though the Titanic disaster happened so many years before, it is still a fascination - and a horror - for so many people. Betraying the memory of the Titanic by allowing everyone on the Princess Irene to survive simply put this movie in a bad light.
Of course, this is only my humble opinion.
I see what you're saying, but you have to remember that it wasn't the Titanic – it was the Princess Irene. And while I know you realize this, it essentially means that the writers were free to create a happy ending without betraying anybody from the Titanic, because it wasn't the Titanic – nor was it trying to be.
The unexpected quality of the ending mirrors real life – because this in real life completely unexpected and full of surprises – even happy ones?
That being said, I too was hoping for a bittersweet ending, with both the lovers dying in each other's arms. Somehow, that would've felt more genuine. But, in any case, I love the film – absolutely love it!
Please excuse typos/funny wording; I use speech-recognition that doesn't always recognize!