History Is Made At Night (1937) :
Brief Review -
Semi-Titanic with a Happy Ending! Frank Borzage's drama is high on deliberate and unhealthy twists, but presents a strong & passionate romance. What if I tell you that James Cameron's iconic Titanic (1997), not that propaganda film Titanic (1943), took a lot of references from Frank Borzage's History Is Made At Night? Wait, don't be shocked. I am not saying it's a complete copy paste or adaptation, but somewhere the idea remains the same with different conflicts and places. A wealthy divorcée falls for a charming Parisian, but her insanely jealous ex-husband will do anything to get her back. In Cameron's grand scale spectacle, we had Rose's fiancee and the entire film takes place on the ship, whereas in Borzage's drama, we have a jealous, separated husband and only the climax part happens on the ship. They even mention it is the biggest sea disaster since the Titanic (1912), and here we have a happy ending instead of a tragic one. Comparisons aside, I think this deserves a special token of honour because it was made much before both the Titanic films. The problematic part is in the middle, where the loss of many logical stats occurs. That murder scene in the beginning was a big disaster already. How can I accept what happens after in the film if the real reason behind the conflicts is not acceptable? Anyway, excluding a couple of big loopholes, I think Borzage has made a fine drama about passionate romance. I liked Charles Boyer in Love Affair (1939) and some films of the 40s for his charming personality, and this film has got exactly that. Jean Arthur had just begun doing good by 1937, so this film was nothing but the honest efforts of a new, emerging talent. Leo Carrillo is funny, while Colin Clive makes you hate him for presenting a jealous and possessive husband in the right manner. Another good film to remember in Frank Borzage's long but inconsistent filmography.
RATING - 6.5/10*
By - #samthebestet.
Semi-Titanic with a Happy Ending! Frank Borzage's drama is high on deliberate and unhealthy twists, but presents a strong & passionate romance. What if I tell you that James Cameron's iconic Titanic (1997), not that propaganda film Titanic (1943), took a lot of references from Frank Borzage's History Is Made At Night? Wait, don't be shocked. I am not saying it's a complete copy paste or adaptation, but somewhere the idea remains the same with different conflicts and places. A wealthy divorcée falls for a charming Parisian, but her insanely jealous ex-husband will do anything to get her back. In Cameron's grand scale spectacle, we had Rose's fiancee and the entire film takes place on the ship, whereas in Borzage's drama, we have a jealous, separated husband and only the climax part happens on the ship. They even mention it is the biggest sea disaster since the Titanic (1912), and here we have a happy ending instead of a tragic one. Comparisons aside, I think this deserves a special token of honour because it was made much before both the Titanic films. The problematic part is in the middle, where the loss of many logical stats occurs. That murder scene in the beginning was a big disaster already. How can I accept what happens after in the film if the real reason behind the conflicts is not acceptable? Anyway, excluding a couple of big loopholes, I think Borzage has made a fine drama about passionate romance. I liked Charles Boyer in Love Affair (1939) and some films of the 40s for his charming personality, and this film has got exactly that. Jean Arthur had just begun doing good by 1937, so this film was nothing but the honest efforts of a new, emerging talent. Leo Carrillo is funny, while Colin Clive makes you hate him for presenting a jealous and possessive husband in the right manner. Another good film to remember in Frank Borzage's long but inconsistent filmography.
RATING - 6.5/10*
By - #samthebestet.