This film is a great example of a fun to watch film that you must turn your mind off to a certain extent in order to enjoy. That's because the movie has a lot of plot holes and silliness, but because it makes no pretense, that's okay with me. Instead, you just sit back and take it all in and enjoy the performances.
First off, this is a very unusual movie because at least to me, Claudette Colbert and John Wayne was an odd pairing to say the least! But, as the oddness of their getting together is essential to the plot this can be forgiven. But, I am STILL left thinking "Claudette Colbert and John Wayne---No Freaking Way!". Second, the movie is very reminiscent of another John Wayne picture made just a few years earlier. LADY TAKES A CHANCE is also a movie where Wayne and a city lady take a trek across America and have an on again/off again romance. In fact, many of the scenes in one are almost replicated in another. But, given that they are both cute little films, I guess that can be forgiven. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT is a Colbert film that also is pretty similar, though not as similar as LADY TAKES A CHANCE.
The plot of this film involves a famous author (Colbert) traveling cross-country to got to Hollywood to oversee the movie that is being made on her hugely popular book. She's not happy with their choice for leads in the film and on the train during the first part of the journey, she meets two Marines--John Wayne and Don DeFore. She and Wayne hit it off well and she has the idea of making this guy the lead in her film. But, and this is a really weak part of the film, she gives the two fliers a fake name and tells them nothing of her plans. A short time later, she misses her train in order to follow the guys on their train but their adventures are JUST beginning! The trip takes many days and some cute problems develop. The fact that she and Wayne later have a "falling out" is formulaic and predictable, but even though YOU know where this is all going, the mood is so light and likable that this can all be forgiven. This is a light comedy-romance that isn't great but still lots of fun.
First off, this is a very unusual movie because at least to me, Claudette Colbert and John Wayne was an odd pairing to say the least! But, as the oddness of their getting together is essential to the plot this can be forgiven. But, I am STILL left thinking "Claudette Colbert and John Wayne---No Freaking Way!". Second, the movie is very reminiscent of another John Wayne picture made just a few years earlier. LADY TAKES A CHANCE is also a movie where Wayne and a city lady take a trek across America and have an on again/off again romance. In fact, many of the scenes in one are almost replicated in another. But, given that they are both cute little films, I guess that can be forgiven. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT is a Colbert film that also is pretty similar, though not as similar as LADY TAKES A CHANCE.
The plot of this film involves a famous author (Colbert) traveling cross-country to got to Hollywood to oversee the movie that is being made on her hugely popular book. She's not happy with their choice for leads in the film and on the train during the first part of the journey, she meets two Marines--John Wayne and Don DeFore. She and Wayne hit it off well and she has the idea of making this guy the lead in her film. But, and this is a really weak part of the film, she gives the two fliers a fake name and tells them nothing of her plans. A short time later, she misses her train in order to follow the guys on their train but their adventures are JUST beginning! The trip takes many days and some cute problems develop. The fact that she and Wayne later have a "falling out" is formulaic and predictable, but even though YOU know where this is all going, the mood is so light and likable that this can all be forgiven. This is a light comedy-romance that isn't great but still lots of fun.