Midnight (1939)

Midnight (1939), directed by Mitchell Leisen.

The title refers to Cinderella's midnight, when the magic stops and she has to return to her mundane life. Which might or might not happen to our heroine, who is Cinderella if Cinderella arrived in Paris with nothing but a glittering evening gown and an optimistic temperament.

She has magical turns of good fortune: if you are hiding out at a recital make sure you sit next to John Barrymore. Only good can come of it. What that man could do with a side glance.

A quick-moving silver screen romantic comedy, the wit and setting remind me of Lubitsch. It is like a Comedy of remarriage without the original marriage.

I think the final act in the courtroom is too silly, but it's over quickly.

Claudette Colbert is broke but chipper, an attitude Depression audiences appreciated. In films she always has those arched penciled eyebrows. Previously seen in It Happened One Night (1934), Drums Along the Mohawk (1939), The Palm Beach Story (1942).

Don Ameche is a cab driver who rescues her from the rain, eventually reentering her life as a Baron. Last seen in Heaven Can Wait (1943), Wing and a Prayer (1944).

He is the sensible working class hero, where she is more of a gold-digger, with a chorus girl's dream of marrying a rich man. And yet: they are immediately pals. For him, it's love.

Mary Astor fears losing her gigolo lover to the new arrival. Hedda Hopper is a society dame.

Written by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder. Wilder worked with Lubitsch.

Photographed by Charles Lang. Music by Frederick Hollaender.

Available on a glittering Blu-ray from Criterion.

On the commentary track Michael Koresky adores this film and strives mightily to restore the director's reputation. Once well known and liked, he is largely forgotten.

He thinks it is because of the director's bisexuality or gayness. I don't think he quite makes his case.