Midnight (1939)

A chorus girl, stranded in Paris, is "set up" by a millionaire to break up his wife's affair with another man.

Director:

Mitchell Leisen

Writers:

Charles Brackett (screenplay), Billy Wilder (screenplay),

Stars:

Claudette Colbert, Don Ameche, John Barrymore

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Claudette Colbert	...	Eve Peabody aka Baroness Czerny
Don Ameche	...	Tibor Czerny
John Barrymore	...	Georges Flammarion
Francis Lederer	...	Jacques Picot
Mary Astor	...	Helene Flammarion
Elaine Barrie	...	Simone
Hedda Hopper	...	Stephanie
Rex O'Malley	...	Marcel Renaud
Monty Woolley	...	The Judge
Armand Kaliz	...	Lebon - Eve's Lawyer

Storyline

Showgirl Eve, stranded in Paris without a sou, befriends taxi driver Tibor Czerny, then gives him the slip to crash a party. There she meets Helene Flammarion and her gigolo Picot, who's attracted to Eve. Helene's scheming husband Georges enlists Eve's aid in taking Picot away from his wife. It works well... at first. Meanwhile, lovestruck Tibor searches for Eve. But then he learns she's calling herself Baroness Czerny!

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Plot Keywords:

party | taxi | taxi driver | millinery | faked insanity | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

15 March 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

La baronne de minuit

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since.

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Quotes

Stephanie: Before we go any further, I'd like your attention one moment more. Is there anybody in this room named... Eve Peabody? No? Well, does anyone here know a Miss Eve Peabody? Well, I won't trouble the rest of you any further. Now, my dear, Chopin's 11th Prelude.
Prince Potopienko: It is the 12th and it is an Etude!
[Shrugs shoulders]
Prince Potopienko: Huh!

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Connections

Remade as Midnight

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Soundtracks

"Étude No.12 in C minor Op.10-12: Revolutionary"
(1829-32) (uncredited)
Written by Frédéric Chopin
Played on piano at Stephanie's party

User Reviews

A night at the Ritz

"Midnight" was one of the best pictures released in 1939. This delightful comedy was directed by Mitchell Leisen, based on a screen play by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder. One can see the influence of Wilder in the way the story is presented. Mitchell Leisen had a keen eye in the styles of his times, being an art director, as well as a costume designer, as he shows in the film.

Claudette Colbert, one of the most accomplished comediennes of her time, shows why her presence in any project was an asset for the director wanting to employ her. If one adds the immensely talented Don Ameche to play opposite of Ms. Colbert, then success was almost guaranteed. These two actors are perhaps, the best reason for watching "Midnight'.

This screwball comedy of manners will enchant anyone willing to be seduced by its star. It's almost an implausible story, but why ask questions about what we suspect will happen. We just go along and have a great time for an hour and a half watching this movie.

John Barrymore makes an appearance, but he seems so out of character, at times, that we realize he must have been doing this picture out of necessity, rather than artistic duty. In fact, he appears to be reading his lines on cue cards. Not one of Mr. Barrymore's best movies.

The rest of the cast is excellent. Mary Astor, makes an elegant Helene, the woman deceiving her husband. Francis Lederer cuts quite a figure as the lover, who has a roving eye for whatever he could conquer. Rex O'Malley, Monty Woolley, and Hedda Hopper are also seen.

The ultimate triumph for Mr. Leisen seems to be the opulent sets that he and his team have created to give us the feeling we are in the Paris of that time. The women's costumes by Irene reflect the fashions of the sophisticated world where the movie takes place.

Watch the film and enjoy one of the best comedies from that period.