gavin6942 A chorus girl (Claudette Colbert), stranded in Paris, is "set up" by a millionaire to break up his wife's affair with another man.According to a Turner Classic Movies introduction by Robert Osborne, the role that eventually went to Claudette Colbert was originally slated for Barbara Stanwyck but scheduling problems prevented her from taking it. Osborne also stated Wilder was unhappy with script changes made by director Leisen, giving him motivation to become a director himself so he would have more creative control.Although I much prefer Stanwyck over Colbert, she does a fine job in this film and I suppose it would be hard to imagine it any other way. She does have something of an innocence about her. It is interesting to hear that this was the film that pushed Wilder from being a writer to a director. His writing is very good, but I daresay his directing is even better and really catapulted comedy to new heights.

SimonJack Some lists of screwball comedies include this 1939 film that stars Claudette Colbert, Don Ameche and John Barrymore. I think it's a bit iffy for that category – it lacks the long strings of crazy antics that define the top comedies considered "screwball." But regardless, this is a gem of a movie and wonderful comedy. I agree with the other reviewers who note the scene-steeling of John Barrymore. He made only four more films after this one before his death. "Midnight" is his last very good or great film. Colbert and Ameche are excellent in their roles as Eve Peabody (aka, the Baroness Czerny) and Tibor Czerny. Mary Astor, Francis Lederer and Rex O'Malley give very good performances in their roles. But the interplay between Barrymore's Georges Flammarion and Colbert's Eve is the stuff that makes for great comedy. I purchased this film for my library and the DVD had a nice introduction that explained the considerable difficulty in the making of the film. It was mostly about conflicts among directors and writers and with some actors. I appreciate and enjoy these inside looks at movie making from time to time. The fact that Barrymore could no longer remember his lines and had to use cue cards makes one appreciate that much more the great talent of this actor in performing his roles. John Barrymore was known for his great ad-libbing in films – that enhanced his roles of all genres. Of all the stage and screen Barrymores, John is the only one who didn't win major awards. Siblings Lionel and Ethel each won Oscars. His personal life was chaotic and his four marriages each lasted no more than a few years. Drinking took its toll and he died at age 60 from cirrhosis of the liver and pneumonia. According to biographers, Barrymore had a conversion and reverted to his Catholic faith before he died. Barrymore appeared in 65 films. He began in the silent era and continued his fame in sound films. More than half of his films were with sound. He was equally at home in comedy, drama and mysteries. All of his sound films are a treat to watch. He has to be on any list of the best actors of all time.

bkoganbing With Don Ameche borrowed from 20th Century Fox and John Barrymore finished with his contract at MGM, the two of them teamed with Claudette Colbert to make Midnight where Colbert plays a chorus girl stranded in Paris. When Don Ameche finds her and takes her in, she's wearing a newspaper for a hat.She could have all her basic needs met with Ameche who's head over heels for her, but Claudette wants more out of life. Enter John Barrymore who would like to have her masquerade as a baroness, to ward off another goldigger of the male kind in Francis Lederer who has been sniffing around Mary Astor who is Barrymore's wife.Colbert pulls it off beautifully, maybe she'll meet a really rich candidate for a husband. Lederer is sniffing all right to Astor's jealousy, but Ameche is on the scent too. He's going to find that woman who came and went out of his life so quickly. And Barrymore, the sly rogue, is presiding over it all like an indulgent grandpa.When you have a director like Mitchell Leisen and such skilled players in comedy as Ameche and Colbert in the lead, the result can't be anything else, but pure entertainment. Barrymore is also grand in the last part he would have in an A budget film.Down in the supporting cast take careful note of Monty Woolley as a judge, a man well versed in the divorce laws of France and who brooks no nonsense in his court. Best scene in the film is Ameche with the help of several Parisian cab drivers getting the hotel maitre'd to tell where Colbert left for. That has to be seen, no description will do.Unfortunately Midnight is not the kind of screen comedy made any more, so see it when broadcast.

wes-connors Dressed for success, penniless nightclub entertainer Claudette Colbert (as Eve Peabody) arrives in Paris. Looking for both employment and eligible men, Ms. Colbert finds her style cramped by a drenching rainstorm. To stay dry, she accepts a date with handsome taxi-driver Don Ameche (as Tibor Czerny). He invites Colbert to stay over; but, she is after finer digs, and ditches Mr. Ameche at a gas station.Next, Colbert crashes a socialite's party, where she meets wealthy John Barrymore (as George Flammarion). To win back the attentions of wife Mary Astor (as Helen), Mr. Barrymore hires Colbert to romance Ms. Astor's handsome French lover, Francis Lederer (as Jacques Picot). Meanwhile, Ameche summons his taxi-driving pals to find Colbert, with whom he has fallen in love… Wonderfully cast, with Colbert offering her by now typically delightful performance; like several of her other films, "Midnight" is much better than the more celebrated "Academy Award" winner. An obviously inebriated Barrymore is better than none. And, screenplay writers Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder seem to be warming up for "Ninotchka". Probably, this is director Mitchell Leisen's finest work.********* Midnight (3/15/39) Mitchell Leisen ~ Claudette Colbert, Don Ameche, John Barrymore, Mary Astor