What Was the First Road Trip Movie?

By Alice Nichols

Road trip movies have become a popular genre in the film industry. There is something about hitting the open road and exploring new places that has captured the hearts of audiences for decades.

But have you ever wondered which movie started it all? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what was the first road trip movie.

It Happened One Night

Released in 1934, “It Happened One Night” is widely considered to be the first road trip movie. Directed by Frank Capra, the film starred Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert as mismatched lovers on a chaotic journey from Miami to New York City.

The Plot

Ellie Andrews (Colbert) is a spoiled heiress who runs away from her wealthy father to elope with her fiancé. Along the way, she meets Peter Warne (Gable), a struggling newspaper reporter who agrees to help her in exchange for an exclusive story.

The Journey

The journey takes them on various forms of transportation including buses, hitchhiking, and even walking. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles such as rainstorms and Ellie’s father’s detectives who are hot on their trail.

The Impact

“It Happened One Night” was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It won five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Gable), Best Actress (Colbert), and Best Screenplay. The film’s success paved the way for future road trip movies such as “Easy Rider,” “Thelma & Louise,” and “Little Miss Sunshine.”

The Legacy

“It Happened One Night” also had a significant impact on popular culture. The scene where Gable’s character removes his shirt while undressing has been credited with causing a decline in undershirt sales across America. Additionally, many of the film’s iconic moments such as the hitchhiking scene and the “walls of Jericho” have been parodied in various films and television shows throughout the years.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “It Happened One Night” was the first road trip movie and set the standard for future films in this genre. Its impact on popular culture is still felt today, and it remains a beloved classic among film enthusiasts. So, next time you watch a road trip movie, remember to thank Ellie Andrews and Peter Warne for paving the way.