Midnight (1939)

Directed by Mitchell Leisen
Produced by Arthur Hornblow, Jr.
Screenplay by Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder
Story by Edwin Justus Mayer, Franz Schulz
Starring: Claudette Colbert, Don Ameche, John Barrymore, Francis Lederer, Mary Astor, Elaine Barrie
Music by Frederick Hollander
Cinematography: Charles Lang
Edited by Doane Harrison
Production company: Paramount Pictures
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date: 24 March 1939 (United States)
Running time: 94 minutes
Country: United States

"Midnight" is a romantic comedy film directed by Mitchell Leisen. It tells the story of a showgirl stranded in Paris who is set up by a millionaire to break up his wife's affair with another man.

Cast

• Claudette Colbert as Eve Peabody
• Don Ameche as Tibor Czerny
• John Barrymore as Georges Flammarion
• Francis Lederer as Jacques Picot
• Mary Astor as Helene Flammarion
• Elaine Barrie as Simone
• Hedda Hopper as Stephanie
• Rex O'Malley as Marcel Renaud
• Monty Woolley as The Judge
• Armand Kaliz as Lebon

My acquaintance with films from the twentieth century continues. "Midnight" is one of Mitchell Leisen's best pictures like "Lady in the Dark" (1944), "To Each His Own" (1946), "No Man of Her Own" (1950), and "The Mating Season" (1951). It's important to mention that not only video series but also dialogues are on a high level that makes the view even more enjoyable.

Why do I love old movies? The hardware wasn't very developed so actors and actresses had to perform really well - films were hanged by their talents. Claudette Colbert as a penniless showgirl, who engages in an exciting swindle, is excellent: she catches attention to the end of the "Midnight". Francis Lederer's Jacques Picot attracts from the first appearance. Georges Flammarion performed by John Barrymore turns out a charming man who helps Eve in the name of love.

The heart has a will of its own. Strange though it may seem but sometimes lies can clear up the mess and find love. Poor Eve who starts a dangerous game saves herself by good fortune; by a happy chance Tibor finds love at first sight. But for Jacques or Helene this play stays just a play.

Advantages

• Not just an other comedy
• John Barrymore as Georges Flammarion

Disadvantages

• For me it isn't a problem but the film is black-and-white

"Strangenesses"

• Why nobody can get to the heart of the matter?

Clue Moments

• Deception
• Exposing deception

Quotations

* * *

Eve Peabody: I landed a lord, almost.
Tibor Czerny: Almost?
Eve Peabody: Well, the family came between us. His mother came to my hotel and offered me a bribe.
Tibor Czerny: You threw her out, I hope!
Eve Peabody: How could I, with my hands full of money?

* * *

Eve Peabody: Well. So this, as they say, is Paris, huh?
Train guard: Yes, madame.
Eve Peabody: Well, from here it looks an awful lot like a rainy night in Kokomo, Indiana.

* * *

Eve Peabody: From the moment you looked at me, I had an idea you had an idea.

* * *

Eve Peabody: Don't forget, every Cinderella has her midnight.

* * *

Judge: It's a confounded nuisance, but it's the law.

* * *

Marcel: Madame? A word with you.
Eve Peabody: With me?
Marcel: Yes, with you.
Eve Peabody: I thought so. Well, all right, let's get it over with.

* * *

Jacques Picot: You're wonderful.
Eve Peabody: You're magnificent.
Helene Flammarion: You're talking across the board.

* * *

Plot: 6/10

Entertainment: 7/10

Acting: 7/10

Originality: 7/10

Music and Sound: 7/10

7/10