Midnight Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A gold digger pretends to be royalty to steal a husband, but ends up in love with a taxi driver, and everyone ends up in court for some reason.

🍿 Midnight: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Stranded in Paris

Eve Peabody, a showgirl, finds herself broke and stranded in Paris after fleeing Monte Carlo. Desperate for shelter, she meets Tibor Czerny, a kind-hearted taxi driver, who offers her assistance. Eve, ambitious and determined to rise above her circumstances, sees an opportunity to escape her poverty.

Crashing High Society

Eve attends a party, pretending to be a guest, and quickly captivates the attention of the wealthy attendees. She introduces herself as Baroness Czerny, inadvertently using Tibor’s last name. There she meets Georges Flammarion, who notices Eve’s charm and potential.

An Unconventional Proposition

Georges enlists Eve’s help in diverting the affections of Jacques Picot away from his wife, Helene. He offers her a lavish lifestyle in exchange for her cooperation. Eve agrees, seeing it as her ticket to the upper class and financial security, setting in motion a series of comedic deceptions and romantic entanglements.

Tibor’s Pursuit and the Courtroom Chaos

Meanwhile, Tibor is determined to find Eve, falling for her at first sight. When he discovers her masquerade as a baroness, he unexpectedly plays along, claiming to be her husband, the Baron. This complicates Georges’s plan and leads to a chaotic courtroom scene where the truth is revealed. The ensuing trial, presided over by a bewildered judge, further escalates the farcical situation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Eve Peabody (Claudette Colbert): A resourceful chorus girl stranded in Paris who impersonates a Baroness.
• Tibor Czerny (Don Ameche): A charming taxi driver who falls in love with Eve and pursues her relentlessly.
• Georges Flammarion (John Barrymore): A wealthy and eccentric husband who enlists Eve’s help to win back his wife.
• Helene Flammarion (Mary Astor): Georges’ wife who is having an affair with Jacques Picot.
• Jacques Picot (Francis Lederer): Helene’s handsome gigolo lover who becomes a target for Eve’s scheme.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Eve Peabody: “From the moment you looked at me, I had an idea you had an idea.” – Eve playfully acknowledges Georges’s scheme as he recruits her to help him with his marital problems.
• Georges Flammarion: “The Budapest subway is the oldest in the world, completed in 1893.” – Georges tests Eve’s knowledge when she is pretending to be a Baroness
• Eve Peabody: “Every Cinderella has her midnight.” – Eve says this to her crony, Georges Barrymore, to allude to the title of the movie.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $13,833

💥 Midnight Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adored ‘Midnight’! From the moment Claudette Colbert steps out of that cab in her gold lame dress, I was hooked. The witty dialogue and the crazy situations had me laughing out loud. John Barrymore is hilarious, even though I heard he read from cue cards! The courtroom scene at the end is pure genius. It’s a lighthearted, feel-good movie that left me with a big smile. I think that Colbert is at her best in the movie, really owning her character, and shining through!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood comedies”
  • “Viewers who appreciate witty dialogue and sophisticated humor”
  • “Admirers of Claudette Colbert and John Barrymore”
  • “Those looking for lighthearted and charming films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild innuendo and suggestive situations typical of classic comedies”
  • “Smoking and social drinking”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A delightful romantic comedy that expertly balances witty dialogue with classic screwball situations. Claudette Colbert shines as the charming con artist, and John Barrymore delivers a memorable performance with impeccable comic timing. A must-see for fans of classic Hollywood.
• The New York Times: “Midnight is a sophisticated and witty film, elevated by its stellar cast and sharp writing from Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett. The comedic timing is superb, and the film offers a refreshing take on the Cinderella story. A sparkling gem from Hollywood’s golden age.

Audience Reactions

Claudette Colbert’s performance is brilliant, making this movie an absolute classic!: Viewers rave about the witty dialogue and the comedic chemistry between the leads.

John Barrymore steals every scene with his hilarious and eccentric portrayal.: Many appreciate the fast-paced plot and the cleverly constructed situations.

Overall Consensus: A highly entertaining screwball comedy with sparkling performances and clever writing, making it a beloved classic.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The studio initially wanted Barbara Stanwyck for the role of Eve Peabody, but scheduling conflicts prevented her from taking the part.”
• “John Barrymore struggled to remember his lines due to his failing health at the time of filming, and reportedly relied heavily on cue cards.”
• “Billy Wilder was reportedly frustrated with director Mitchell Leisen’s focus on visual style over dialogue, which contributed to Wilder’s decision to direct his own screenplays in the future.”
• “The film is considered by some to be the first great screenplay by the writing duo of Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett.”

🖥️ How to Watch Midnight?

Currently, ‘Midnight’ (1939) is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for current availability and pricing, as options may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Midnight, you might like these similar films:

• It Happened One Night (1934): Shares the screwball comedy elements and the theme of a sophisticated woman falling for a common man.
• The Palm Beach Story (1942): Another screwball comedy with Claudette Colbert, exploring themes of wealth, marriage, and social satire.
• My Man Godfrey (1936): Explores themes of social class and mistaken identity with humor and romance.
• Some Like It Hot (1959): Written by Billy Wilder. Shares Wilder’s comedic style and the theme of people assuming different identities to escape their problems.

🛒 Midnight Related Products

• Midnight (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A meticulously restored edition of ‘Midnight’ from The Criterion Collection, featuring behind-the-scenes documentaries, insightful essays, and exclusive interviews. A must-have for film enthusiasts.
• The Complete Claudette Colbert Collection: A digital collection featuring all of Claudette Colbert’s iconic films, including ‘Midnight’. Includes bonus features like trailers, deleted scenes, and commentary tracks.
• Parisian Taxi Cab Diecast Model: A high-quality diecast model of a classic Parisian taxi cab, reminiscent of the cabs featured in ‘Midnight’. Perfect for collectors and fans of the film.
• Hollywood Legends Poster Set – Claudette Colbert: A set of high-quality posters featuring Claudette Colbert in her most iconic roles, including ‘Midnight’. Printed on premium paper with vibrant colors. Perfect for a vintage film fan.

🎧 Soundtrack

Midnight features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Étude No.12 in C minor Op.10-12: Revolutionary” – performed by Frédéric Chopin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

MIDNIGHT EXPRESS – Surface lies and hidden truths – film analysis by Rob Ager / Collative Learning

Ever wonder if there’s more to ‘Midnight Express’ than what meets the eye? This video breaks down the film’s hidden layers, connecting it to the director’s own life and even the Vietnam War. Honestly, it totally changed how I see the movie!

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