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One Fine Day

''One Fine Day'' may refer to:
  • "One Fine Day" (song), a 1963 song by the Chiffons
  • ''One Fine Day'' (1968 film), an Italian film directed by Francesco Maselli
  • ''One Fine Day'' (1996 film), an American romantic comedy starring Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney
  • ''One Fine Day'' (Howe novel), a 1947 novel by Fanny Howe
  • ''One Fine Day'' (Wells novel), a 1977 children's book by Nonny Hogrogian

Music

The Chiffons' version

"One Fine Day" was written by lyricist Gerry Goffin and composer Carole King in 1963 as part of their prolific output from the Brill Building songwriting scene in New York City. The song originated as a demo intended for singer Little Eva, but after Goffin and King heard the Chiffons' harmonies, they decided the girl group was a better fit, retaining King's piano performance from the demo in the final recording. Produced by the Tokens—known for their 1961 hit "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"—under their Bright Tunes Productions banner, the track was released as a by Laurie Records in May 1963, backed with "Why Am I So Shy." Featuring tight vocal harmonies from lead singer , Barbara Lee, and Patricia Bennett, the song blends influences with an upbeat pop structure and orchestral swells, emphasizing themes of hopeful romance and persistence. Its iconic chorus—"One fine day, you'll look at me / And you will know our love was meant to be"—captures optimistic yearning, set against a lively rhythm that propelled its popularity. The single quickly climbed the charts, peaking at No. 5 on the in July 1963, No. 6 on the Billboard R&B chart, and No. 7 on the Cash Box Top 100 (during the weeks ending June 29 and July 6, 1963). As a quintessential example of the sound—characterized by sophisticated songcraft tailored for teen audiences—the recording helped define the phenomenon of the , influencing acts like and with its blend of emotional depth and commercial polish.

Covers and later uses

Carole King recorded her own version of "One Fine Day" in 1980 for the album Pearls: Songs of Goffin and King, a collection of compositions she wrote with Gerry Goffin. The single reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 11 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Other notable covers include Natalie Merchant's acoustic rendition in 1996, featured as the title track on the soundtrack for the film One Fine Day, and Sting's pop-rock interpretation in 2016 from his album 57th & 9th. Sting's version was accompanied by an animated music video directed by James Larese, emphasizing themes of nature and environmental awareness. The song has been covered by over 70 artists in total, ranging from The Carpenters to Bette Midler. The original Chiffons recording has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including Riding in Cars with Boys (2001), Flipped (2010), Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), The Wedding Date (2005), The Simpsons episode "Bart the Murderer" (1991), and Gilmore Girls. Merchant's version served as the end-credits theme for the 1996 romantic comedy One Fine Day, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney, underscoring the film's lighthearted narrative of serendipitous romance.

Film

1996 American film

One Fine Day is a 1996 American directed by Michael Hoffman and written by Terrel Seltzer and Ellen Simon, based on a story by Seltzer. The film was produced by Via Rosa Productions and Productions and distributed by 20th Century Fox, with its theatrical release on December 20, 1996. It stars as Melanie Parker, a divorced and , and as Jack Taylor, a charming but irresponsible and divorced father. The plot centers on the chaotic intersection of and lives during a single hectic day in . is preparing for an important architectural presentation but arrives late to drop off her six-year-old son, (), at , causing him to miss the field trip bus. Meanwhile, ex-wife unexpectedly drops off their daughter () late as well, missing the same bus. The two parents meet at the and, through a mix-up, end up swapping childcare duties: takes while Jack watches . As they navigate work obligations, field trips, and various mishaps—including a ride, a mayoral event, and encounters with colorful supporting characters like editor () and 's boss ()—their initial antagonism gives way to mutual attraction and romance by day's end. Principal photography took place over several weeks in 1996, primarily in 44 locations across , capturing the bustling energy of as a key backdrop to the story's frenetic pace. The supporting cast includes notable performances from as the mischievous Sammy Parker, as the precocious Maggie Taylor, as Manny, Jack's editor, and as the neurotic Rita, Melanie's assistant. Other roles feature as the mayor's aide and as Jack's ex-wife. The film's soundtrack, released by on December 3, 1996, features a mix of original songs and score, highlighting the title track "One Fine Day." It includes the original 1963 version by , written by and , as well as a contemporary cover by . The score was composed by , whose orchestral suite underscores the film's emotional and comedic beats, with additional songs like "For the First Time" by contributing to key romantic moments. One Fine Day achieved commercial success, grossing $46.1 million in the United States and and $97.5 million worldwide against a production budget of approximately $34 million. At the in 1997, the film received a nomination for Best Original Song for "For the First Time," composed by , , and Jud Friedman. won the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress in a /Romance for her performance.

1968 Italian film

Un certo giorno (English: One Fine Day) is a 1968 Italian drama film written and directed by Ermanno Olmi. The story centers on Bruno, a self-assured middle-aged advertising executive whose routine life is disrupted when he accidentally strikes and kills a pedestrian with his car on his way to work. Through a series of fragmented flashbacks and introspective impressions, the narrative unfolds primarily in Bruno's mind as he grapples with the consequences, reflecting on his professional ascent—having recently taken over his former boss's position—his strained marriage, his extramarital affair, and his relationships with colleagues whom he hesitates to dismiss despite corporate pressures. Starring non-professional actor Brunetto Del Vita as Bruno, alongside Lidia Fuortes as the woman interviewer and other everyday performers, the film captures a single tumultuous day in the life of a middle-class urban professional, emphasizing subtle emotional undercurrents amid the banality of modern existence. Produced in Italy with a runtime of 105 minutes, it premiered domestically in 1968 and was later screened at the 1969 New York Film Festival, marking Olmi's exploration of white-collar alienation following his earlier works on industrial labor. Influenced by , the film's style employs Olmi's signature documentary-like approach, using long takes, natural lighting, and color cinematography to depict the mundane rhythms of city life in , where offices and domestic spaces blend into a of quiet dissatisfaction. Themes of routine drudgery, moral ambiguity in personal and professional spheres, and the erosion of human connections in a consumer-driven society are conveyed through Bruno's internal and interactions, highlighting subtle discontent without overt . Olmi, drawing from his own experiences in corporate environments, critiques the soullessness of mid-20th-century Italian bourgeoisie, portraying how an unforeseen tragedy forces a reckoning with one's complicity in systemic indifference. Upon release, Un certo giorno received acclaim in Italy for its nuanced social commentary and humanistic depth, though its introspective pace limited broader commercial appeal. Internationally, it garnered attention at festivals but remained lesser-known outside cinephile circles, with retrospective praise emphasizing Olmi's empathetic lens on middle-class malaise. In recent years, the film has been preserved through 35mm prints from Istituto Luce Cinecittà and made available via Italian DVD releases, including editions from distributors like Home Movies and IBS, often with English subtitles for global audiences. It continues to screen at film festivals and retrospectives, such as the 2019 Ermanno Olmi series at Film at Lincoln Center, ensuring accessibility for contemporary viewers interested in postwar Italian cinema.

Literature

1947 novel

One Fine Day is a by British author Mollie Panter-Downes, first published in 1947 by . Set in the post-World War II English countryside, it depicts a single summer day in July 1946 in the fictional village of Wealding, capturing the subtle adjustments of a middle-class family to peacetime life. The book was reissued in as part of Press's Modern Classics series, which helped revive interest in Panter-Downes's work. The narrative follows Laura Marshall through her ordinary errands and interactions after her husband, , departs for work in London and their daughter, , heads to school. Laura manages the dilapidated family home, chats with villagers, and encounters the local , all while grappling with the lingering effects of wartime separation. As the day progresses, moments of reveal undercurrents of , , and the quiet beauty of rural existence, culminating in Laura's solitary contemplation on a hillside at dusk. Central themes revolve around the transition from wartime austerity to normalcy, the emotional strains on marriages and families, and the interplay of class structures in a changing . Panter-Downes highlights the found in domestic routines and small pleasures, juxtaposed against for a prewar and the inevitability of social shifts. The novel's introspective focus on everyday life underscores the broader societal healing process. Upon release, the earned acclaim for its elegant and keen observations, though it faded from prominence until its rediscovery. Modern critics laud its modernist techniques, akin to Virginia Woolf's stream-of-consciousness in , while bridging accessible storytelling with literary depth. The Independent called it "as profound as , restrained as , sharp as ," praising its vivid portrayal of domesticity. The described it as "beautifully written, it’s a tribute to the women who held everything together." No major adaptations followed its publication.

1971 children's book

One Fine Day is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Nonny Hogrogian, first published by Macmillan in 1971. The book retells an Armenian folktale in a humorous, cumulative narrative style, following a clever red fox who, after drinking milk from an old woman's pail, has his tail cut off in punishment. The fox embarks on a quest through the forest to retrieve his tail, encountering a series of animals—a duck, beaver, raccoon, cat, dog, and mouse—each of whom temporarily claims the tail, leading to a chain of swaps and trades that build rhythmic repetition in the text. The story culminates in the fox's return to the old woman, who sews the tail back on, emphasizing themes of mischief, reciprocity, and the interconnectedness of woodland creatures. Hogrogian's illustrations feature delicate watercolor paintings that capture the lush, sun-dappled environment and the expressive faces of the anthropomorphic , creating a warm, inviting visual . The text is simple and rhythmic, with short sentences and repeating phrases that make it ideal for read-aloud sessions and early independent reading, targeted at children ages 4-8. This combination of accessible language and evocative artwork highlights the book's artistic merit, blending with gentle humor to engage young readers in the natural world. The book received the in 1972, awarded by the for the most distinguished American picture book for children, recognizing Hogrogian's innovative use of cumulative storytelling and her masterful watercolor technique. This honor, Hogrogian's second after Always Room for One More in 1966, underscored its excellence in and its role in preserving cultural folktales. One Fine Day has enduring legacy in educational settings, where it is often used to introduce concepts like sequencing, , and through character interactions, while fostering appreciation for diverse cultural stories and the harmony of nature. Reprints remain available through , ensuring its continued accessibility for new generations of readers.

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