4K RESTORATION — World Premiere

“One of the liveliest, gayest, wittiest and naughtiest comedies of a long hard season. Its direction, by Mitchell Leisen, is strikingly reminiscent of that of the old Lubitsch…it’s really too daffy to be synopsized. You’ll have to take our word for it that its fun…Pictures like Midnight should strike more often.” – Frank S. Nugent, New York Times, 6 April 1939

Cinema Reborn presents the World Premiere of this 4K restoration of one of the greatest screwball comedies of the 1930s. Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett’s laceratingly funny script takes aim at European aristocrats, fashion trends and the ostentatious rich while exploring the frictions between wealth and love. Claudette Colbert plays an unemployed, gold-digging American showgirl stranded in a Parisian rainstorm, when she meets an amorous Hungarian taxi-driver (Don Ameche). Gate-crashing a party held by a socialite (Hedda Hopper), she meets a wealthy industrialist (John Barrymore) who hires her to pose as an American wife married to a Hungarian Baron. This ruse, the industrialist hopes, will help break up an affair between his wife (Mary Astor) and a wealthy playboy (Francis Lederer). Conning each other as best they can, these characters all end up in the industrialist’s Versailles chateau, where the swindles and the fun ramp up to another level.

Introduced by C.J. Johnson at Ritz Cinemas and Keva York at Lido Cinemas.

“One of the masterworks of 1930s romantic comedy.” Virgin Film Guide 

“Among the best, sharpest, fleetest comedies of its era and worthy of far more audiences and bigger classic status than it has ever enjoyed.” – Tim Brayton 

“Malicious screenplay from Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder, gorgeous sets and camerawork, and a matchless cast. All in all, probably Mitchell Leisen’s best film.” – Derek Adams, Time Out 

Rating

Unclassified 15+

Duration

94

Country

United States

Language

English

Cast

Claudette Colbert, Don Ameche, John Barrymore, Mary Astor

Director

Mitchell Leisen

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