"It Happened One Night"

The local art museum was showing a newly remastered version of "It Happened One Night," with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, so Sue and I decided to go on Saturday night. The black and white photography was gorgeous beyond any description. The performers were of course dashing and at their peak of youthful vigor. We thought it would be great fun. Romantic comedy about a woman liberating herself, running away from a domineering father, choosing love.

However it turns out to be another "Taming of the Shrew" story. Bratty, spoiled woman falls in love with manly man, and "love" breaks her into submission. Near the end of the film, Gable's character says to the feisty, pretty little woman, "I'll give you a sock every day whether you need it or not."

"Sock" is a curious American euphemism for "hit you in the face with my fist."

In the context of the film, this seems like a good idea to Colbert's character. Somehow it's supposed to be reassuring. It puts her in her proper place. Teaches her who wears the pants in the family.

We left the theatre down-hearted about the ways American culture has long reified domestic violence. We don't find anything romantic in being "socked."