Midnight (1939)

92% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
89% of users liked it
(854 ratings)

Paramount's screwball comedy Midnight is the first collaboration between director Mitchell Leisen and screenwriting duo Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder. The film merges Brackett and Wilder's early emphasis on repartee and masquerade with ex-costume designer Leisen's flair for high style and… More Paramount's screwball comedy Midnight is the first collaboration between director Mitchell Leisen and screenwriting duo Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder. The film merges Brackett and Wilder's early emphasis on repartee and masquerade with ex-costume designer Leisen's flair for high style and sophistication. American Eve Peabody (Claudette Colbert), a wily ex-showgirl, must impersonate Hungarian royalty in order to infiltrate the Parisian jet set. Midnight begins during a midnight rainstorm as Eve arrives penniless at Paris' Gare de L'Est, owning only the gold lamé gown on her back. She attracts the attention of Hungarian cab driver, Tibor Czerny (Don Ameche), but walks out on their budding romance; Eve will no longer make the mistake of dating for love rather than money. Instead, she finds shelter from the downpour by crashing a socialite's late-night soirée using a pawnticket and a pseudonym, the Baroness Czerny (the cab driver's surname). There, Eve meets aristocrat Georges Flammarion (John Barrymore), who entices her with a place in society if she agrees to remain disguised as the Baroness and seduce his wife's playboy lover. Meanwhile, Tibor Czerny has not given up his search for Eve. When he locates her whereabouts and discovers the fact that she is using his name, Tibor also travels to the Flammarion estate -- to win back Eve, and to pose as her husband, the Baron. What ensues is quintessential screwball comedy, full of deception, love, quadruple entendre, and outright farce. Midnight remains Leisen's most heralded directorial effort, as well as one of Brackett and Wilder's earliest successes. ~ Aubry Anne D'Arminio, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Mitchell Leisen
Written By: Charles Brackett
Genres: Romance, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 15, 1939 Wide
On DVD: Apr 22, 2008

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Direction by Mitchell Leisen is generally satisfactory, although picture is slow in getting under way and has several spots that could be tightened.
Don Druker, Chicago Reader
Funny and forgettable.
Frank S. Nugent, New York Times
Pictures like Midnight should strike more often.
Sean Axmaker, MSN.com
One of the most deliciously sexy and sweet romantic comedies of the '30s (or any era)...
Derek Adams, Time Out
It has a superbly malicious script by Brackett and Wilder, gorgeous sets and camerawork, and a matchless cast. All in all, probably Leisen's best film.
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
First-rate screwball comedy from a Billy Wilder screenplay
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A delightful comedy that delivers with a lively repartee and high style production values.
, Film4
A magical comedy.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Colbert, Ameche, John Barrymore, Mary Astor--directed by Mitch Leisen from a Billy Wilder-Chas. Brackett script. Ought to be better
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
An extremely witty, well-paced comedy which plays beautifully today.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bob S

A few too many screwball twists in this one. Fun in parts. Wilder maintained Leisen messed up his script.
AJ V

This movie had a really funny story, but it gets predictable and a little long towards the end. Overall, I enjoyed the movie, but it could be better.
Morgan S

This is a very charming movie...The humer really comes out in the second half when they are at the chattue. I say if you have the opportunitie to see to do!
Stella D

one of the great screwball comedies, sadly mostly forgotten. colbert is radiant and barrymore wonderful, working from a fine script by billy wilder and charles brackett. terrific! according to imdb a remake is planned...ugh
Doctor S

Ah, Claudette Colbert, she didn't have the same sex appeal as Jean Harlow nor the comedic flair of Carole Lombard, but she had that je ne sais quoi (she was born in Paris, after all!) The midsection sags a little, but a sharp script and fine supporting characters (John… More
Ah, Claudette Colbert, she didn't have the same sex appeal as Jean Harlow nor the comedic flair of Carole Lombard, but she had that je ne sais quoi (she was born in Paris, after all!) The midsection sags a little, but a sharp script and fine supporting characters (John Barrymore, Rex O'Malley) keep this comedy afloat.

Cast

            Claudette Colbert as Eve Peabody/"Baroness Czerny"

            Don Ameche as Tibor Czerny

            John Barrymore as George Flammarion

            Francis Lederer as Jacques Picot

            Mary Astor as Helen Flammarion

            Hedda Hopper as Stephanie

            Elaine Barrie as Simone

            Rex O'Malley as Marcel

            Monty Woolley as Judge

            Armand Kaliz as Lebon

            Eugene Borden as Porter

            Paul Bryar as Porter

            Eddie Conrad as Prince Potopienko

            Gino Corrado as Taxi Driver

            Gennaro Curci as Major Domo

            Billy Daniels as Roger

            Carlos De Valdez as Butler

            Sarah Edwards as Party Guest

            Arno Frey as Room clerk

            Charles Judels as Doorman

            Joyce Mathews as Girl

            Louis Mercier as Cafe Pianist

            Ferdinand Munier as Major Domo

            Nestor Paiva as Woman's escort

            Lionel Pape as Edouart

            Harry Semels as Policeman

            Leonard Sues as Bellboy

            Michael Visaroff as Footman

            Leander De Cordova as Footman

            Bryant Washburn as Guest

            Joseph DeStefani as Head Porter

            William Eddritt
            
            Judith King
            
            Joseph Romantini as Footman
See full cast