STEVE HAYES: Tired Old Queen at the Movies - MIDNIGHT

MIDNIGHT (1939)
The comedy is light, breezy and definitely screwball as gold digger Claudette Colbert gets stranded in Paris with nothing but an empty purse, an evening gown and a plan to snag a rich husband in Mitchell Leisen's "Midnight" (1939). Based on a screenplay by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder, this zany comedy also stars a delightful Don Ameche as an erstwhile cab driver in love with Claudette, John Barrymore as a jilted husband who uses her to get his wife back, played by Mary Astor and Rex O'Malley as the fussy Gay extra man with all the best lines. The epitome of the "Sophisticated Comedy", "Midnight" is simply too good to miss.

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MORE MIDNIGHT TRIVIA:
- Mary Astor was pregnant throughout the shooting. Had to keep putting her behind furniture.
- John Barrymore took Astor's virginity when she was sixteen. She hadn't seen him since. No sparks.
- Barrymore had to rely on cue cards to get through. Still stole every scene.
- Colbert's right profile was called the "other side of the moon". She never let it be photographed.
- Mitchell Leisen: Gay director. Always put one or more gay characters in his films. MIDNIGHT: Rex O'Malley.
- Gossip columnist Hedda Hopper has a brief role as a ditsy socialite with a gay boyfriend.
- Billy Wilder escaped the Nazis & was a taxi dancer on the Riviera before going to to Hollywood.
- Billy Wilder started directing, because he felt Leisen meddled too much with the screenplays.

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with John "Johnny" Bixler and Steve Hayes

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Claudette Colbert
• screwball comedy
• Paris
• Mitchell Leisen
• Charles Brackett
• Billy Wilder
• Don Ameche
• John Barrymore
• Mary Astor
• Rex O'Malley
• gay
• Moisty the Snow Man

[jgg59]

I love Leisen never a weak link in his movies. Could you you review the farce he directed "The Mating Season" in 51 with Gene Tierney, Miriam Hopkins and the wonderful Thelma Ritter. Great ensemble comedy every actor has a great moment or several great moments in this film.

[STEVEHAYESTOQ]

@jgg59

I love THE MATING SEASON too. I think that Thelma Ritter should have had the Oscar for this. It also shows what a wonderful light comedienne Gene Tierney could be with the right director and material. But, it's not on DVD and available on Netflix. I don't review films that people can't rent or get hold of easily. It's just too frustrating and as a result, it's tough for alot of films I really love. Thanks for watching!

Best;

TOQ

[Nemesis7293]

Colbert, Ameche, Barrymore, and Astor are so ....operative word: Delightful! I must say a special Thank you to you, Mr. Steve Hayes, for replying to so many of my comments. You've made me feel as if I've had replies by a genuine movie star! I consider you a genuine movie star, anyway.

[STEVEHAYESTOQ]

@Nemesis7293

Oh, Thanks Honey. I'll give you an hour to cut that out!

tee hee!

Happy Holidays!

OXOXOX

TOQ

[bobraleigh]

OMG that pic of vann williams in the background is my avatar!

[STEVEHAYESTOQ]

@bobraleigh

I know! I LOVE HIM! Viva Van Williams!!!!

[uranian99]

Oh, Johnny, I just love soft cuddly things!

[classictvguru70]

Palm Beach Story!!! please?

[GEVMM]

Claudette Colbert is such a joy to watch!

[jgg59]

@STEVEHAYESTOQ It is available on Netflix just watched.

[jgg59]

@STEVEHAYESTOQ lovingtheclassics. this is where I purchased the DVD top bad everyone is fabulous.

[inawordwow]

That's such a realistic hand puppet at the begining. Just kidding, so cute.

[SoCalGal52]

Claudette was bisexual?

[SoCalGal52]

@rvmorrissey I agree with you 100%. There is nothing like this in today's world, especially in today's Hollywood. All we see today are reality TV stars who've done nothing and have no talent or young actors who are popular but have no idea who they are. Maybe I'm just getting old but that's why I love old movies and watch a lot of TCM. The classics and the old classy actors of that time leave a lot to be desired. I know Hollywood was pretty decadent even back then, but so much classier.