Moviecut—History Is Made at Night

source: History Is Made at Night

History Is Made at Night

Although it might sound like some lightweight Lubitsch musical comedy, History is Made at Night is actually a drama in which elegant head waiter Charles Boyer is framed on a murder charge after extricating love interest Jean Arthur from a blackmail plot engineered by her wealthy and extremely jealous estranged husband. It's a good movie until the final act, but is undone by weaknesses in the far-fetched plot. Also, the two stars never really click, even though the suave and charming Bowyer is excellent; and that weird bromance between him and top chef Leo Carrillo just feels wrong. On a more positive note, the ill-fated Colin Clive is arrestingly intense in his penultimate film role.

Despite a European-sounding name Frank Borsaze actually hailed from Salt Lake City and was one of the best-kept secrets in the Directors Guild, having his own 'touch' enabling buffs to identify his work within two frames. Among my own favourites from his output are two standout titles, Three Comrades, and The Mortal Storm but if your taste is more The Spanish Main don't let me stop you. With History Is Made At Night he goes to the mat with both Ernst Lubitsch and Billy Wilder deftly blending the soufflé' of light romance with the kreplach of melodrama and bringing it off to a fare-thee-well with the assistance of Charles Boyer, Jean Arthur, and Colin - 'IT'S ALIVE' - Clive in his final film. 1937 was still the era of the screwball comedy albeit this example has a screw loose. Recommended.

I can't understand why this film isn't more recognized as a superior example of romantic movie-making. The cast is perfect, the cinematography (with one small exception of back projection that was jarring) is excellent, and the direction superb. Throw in a wonderful evocation of Paris (as good as Midnight), a great score and an incredibly moving final ten minutes and you have perfection. Everything comes together in perfect balance, much like Casablanca, and sadly so few other romantic films. I once asked a new acquaintance what his favorite film (he was eighteen at the time). When he responded History is Made at Night, I threw my arms around him and told him he'd won a place in my heart. Three cheers for History is Made at Night, a film that deserves rediscovery.

I saw this on a VHS release here in the 1980's and was one of those films years later I could not forget. How could one forget this memorable title with a equally interesting and unusual combination of love, comedy, drama and disaster that in many other circumstances would simply not work! Boyer and Arthur's romantic moments...pure magic as is Boyer and Leo Carillo's comedic turns. Produced to the tune of over a million dollars (a very generous budget for 1937) independently by Walter Wagner the look of this "A" production certainly reflects this. The deft hand of Borzage could only keep the goings on fluent with the seemingly challenging narrative in a film that easily keeps the viewers attention. To my mind one of the highlights of 30's cinema. I urge anyone interested in this era - see this film!! Available on DVD (mine is a South American copy and OK print quality).

Fairly sharp mixture of comedy, romance and melodrama has an American woman in Paris falling for the charming head-waiter in a posh French restaurant; later, after returning to the States (and to her abusive husband), she chances to meet the dashing Frenchman again. Sparkling first-half is either enhanced or destroyed by heavy drama in the second-act, depending on your viewpoint. However the film affects you, the finale aboard a sinking cruise ship certainly boasts showmanship! I caught this in a romantic mood, so I enjoyed it; any other day of the week, I might've taken a glimpse and passed. *** from ****

Charles Boyer has never been more charming and Jean Arthur never more beautiful as impromptu lovers Paul and Irene. Colin Clive is brilliant as Irene's madly jealous and obsessive husband Bruce, who unwittingly brings the two lovers together and follows desperate measures to keep them apart. Boyer's and Arthur's tender love scenes make this film one of the greatest unsung screen romances.