ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.

Juana what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Billy Ollie Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

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.

edwagreen Whoever wrote this deserves a lot of credit. Of course, with such a great cast, they're able to pull this one off. The problem with this wise-cracking film is the end. It is silly and in a way a cop out as well.What a premise! A chorus girl in Paris becomes involved in a plot by a jealous wealthy man to break up the liaison between his wife and her lover. Our rich guy goes so far as to set up the chorus lady as a wife of a baron. All Hades breaks lose when the cab driver shows up as the baron.Claudette Colbert just shines as our lady baroness, and Don Ameche is perfect as the cab driver-turned-baron. In fact, when he is in the car, note the gleam in his eyes. Mary Astor, as the wealthy woman, carrying on with Francis Lederer, displays her usual suspicious, nasty character. John Barrymore, as the jealous husband, is humorous. Remember when he killed in a jealous rage in the Nelson Eddy-Jeanette MacDonald film of 1937? Barrymore certainly proved that he was adept at comedy as well.

Martin Bradley As good as a movie can get. Claudette Colbert is the flapper/gold-digger/chanteuse, (take your pick), who arrives in a very rainy Paris in an evening gown and not much else. She is momentarily rescued from her predicament by a gallant taxi driver, (played gallantly by Don Ameche), with whom she immediately falls in love but from whom she runs as fast as her well-turned-out legs can carry her. She runs straight into the clutches of John Barrymore, (a magnificent comic performance), who saves her bacon, so to speak, if only she will seduce gigolo Francis Lederer who is stealing away Barrymore's wife, the always delectable Mary Astor, and thus save Barrymore's marriage.This is a French farce of the very best kind, although it is written, not by a Feydeau, but by Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett, and directed with supreme elegance by the under-valued Mitchell Leisen. Colbert is wonderful as the wide-eyed chorine, torn between love and riches, Barrymore displays sublime comic timing and Astor is as sharp as a new pin. It feels and looks like a Lubitsch but I doubt if even Lubitsch could better it.

MartinHafer In some ways I feel sorry for those that made MIDNIGHT. While it is a wonderful movie, it came out during what many would argue was the greatest year in Hollywood history. 1939 saw such films as GONE WITH THE WIND, GOODBYE MR. CHIPS and MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON and so it's not surprising that films like MIDNIGHT and THE WIZARD OF OZ somehow took a back seat. Had it come out in a different year, it might have taken home an award or at least been nominated.The story begins with penniless Colbert arriving in Paris and being befriended by cabbie, Ameche. However, soon after meeting, she accidentally bumbles into a society party and is mistaken for a guest. From then on, she is sucked into the finest circle and is wined and dined and lives a Cinderella-like life--that is until Ameche shows up and announces he's there to ask her to marry a lowly cab driver.The film has a pretty impressive pedigree--the screenplay written by the exceptional duo of Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder, directed gracefully by Mitchell Leisen and starring some exceptional actors--Claudette Colbert, Don Ameche and John Barrymore. In just about every way, this was a quality product, though I will admit the story was a bit silly and unbelievable. However, despite these minor limitations, the whole package looked so nice, was constructed so well and was so clever that it was easy to look past how unbelievable the whole thing was.Sweet and enjoyable from start to finish--this is a film worth seeking.