NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (May 2025): Criterion has transferred Mitchell Leisen's Midnight to Blu-ray. It is cited as  a "New 4K digital restoration". We reviewed the Universal DVD of Midnight HERE and to the 1080P captures below. It's a substantial upgrade in contrast, detail, and more information in the frame. Charles Lang (Sabrina, Some Like It Hot, Charade,) a veteran of Paramount Pictures, crafts a polished black-and-white visual palette typical of 1930s Hollywood. The film uses high-contrast lighting to underscore its tonal shifts. The image boasts exceptional clarity with fine detail in textures. Claudette Colbert’s shimmering gold lamé gown, the intricate patterns of the Flammarion mansion’s decor, and the wet cobblestones of Paris streets all pop with remarkable sharpness. The heaviness is  deftly rendered. Contrast is beautifully balanced, delivering deep blacks and bright whites that enhance the screwball comedy’s visual dynamism from gritty early scenes to the opulent high-society settings. It is a typical Criterion HD presentation - looking pristine and film-like.

NOTE: We have added 46 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

On their Blu-ray, Criterion uses a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. The mix is clean, prioritizing dialogue - a necessity for screwball’s verbal. Subtle effects enhance the mood: rain patters in early scenes, evoking Eve’s plight; party chatter and clinking glasses fill society sequences, immersing viewers in the elite’s world. Footsteps, door slams, and ringing phones punctuate the fast-paced farce, amplifying the chaos. Frederick Hollander (The Man in Search of His Murder, The Bride Wore Boots, Bluebeard's Eight Wife, Angel, The Great McGinty, Christmas in Connecticut, Caught, Berlin Express, Background to Danger, The Verdict, A Foreign Affair,) a skilled 1930s composer, provides a light, orchestral score. The music is understated, typical of screwball comedies, avoiding melodrama to let dialogue shine. It's clean, clear, and authentically flat in the uncompressed transfer. Criterion offers optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' / 'B' Blu-ray.

The Criterion Blu-ray offers a new commentary by Michael Koresky, editorial director at Museum of the Moving Image and co-founder of Reverse Shot. He delivers a fresh commentary exploring Midnight’s place in the screwball genre, dissecting its blend of fairy-tale escapism and social satire. Koresky highlights Wilder and Brackett’s sharp script, Mitchell Leisen’s deft direction, and the cast’s chemistry, offering insights into class themes, gender dynamics, and 1930s Hollywood context. Informative and engaging, Koresky’s analysis is accessible yet scholarly, enriching the viewing experience for fans and newcomers alike. His passion for the film shines, making this a standout feature. We also get audio excerpts of an interview with Mitchell Leisen .This 1/4-hour program presents audio clips from a 1969 interview with director Leisen, sourced from an archival recording. Leisen reflects on directing Midnight, discussing his collaboration with the cast, his approach to pacing comedy, and challenges of blending romance and farce. The excerpts are paired with stills or clips from the film for context. Included is a 55-minute Lux Radio Theatre adaptation, originally broadcast in 1940 - performing Midnight with a condensed script, performed by a cast of voice actors (often including original stars or contemporaries). It captures the story’s essence - Eve’s masquerade, Georges’ scheme, and Tibor’s pursuit - relying on dialogue and sound effects to convey the comedy. A delightful bonus, this feature showcases 1940s radio drama’s charm, adapting the film’s wit to an audio medium. Lastly, there is a trailer and the package includes a booklet with an essay by film critic David Cairns, who examines Midnight’s brilliance, exploring its subversive humor, the Wilder-Brackett script’s edge, and Leisen’s elegant direction. Cairns, known for his insightful writing, may tie the film to Depression-era escapism and screwball trends.

Mitchell Leisen's Midnight is a quintessential screwball comedy, exploring the fluidity of identity and the absurdity of class distinctions. Eve’s transformation from a penniless showgirl to a “baroness” highlights how appearances and performance can blur social boundaries. The film pokes fun at the pretensions of the elite, with Eve’s imposture exposing their gullibility. The glittering world of Parisian high society tempts Eve (Claudette Colbert - Cleopatra, It Happened One Night, Imitation of Life,) but the film subtly critiques materialism. Tibor (Don Ameche - Things Change, Heaven Can Wait, Trading Places,) a working-class everyman, offers sincerity, while the aristocratic life is portrayed as shallow and chaotic, embodied by Georges (John Barrymore - Counsellor at Law, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Twentieth Century) and Helene’s dysfunctional marriage. Mitchell Leisen (Remember the Night, The Lady is Willing, No Time for Love,) known for blending sophistication and humor, keeps Midnight brisk and visually elegant. His staging of chaotic scenes - like the climactic “divorce” hearing - balances slapstick with a polished, theatrical feel. The Brackett-Wilder screenplay crackles with intelligence, balancing romance, comedy, and satire. Criterion’s Blu-ray of Midnight is a triumph with a stellar 4K restoration and valuable supplements. Absolutely recommended.

Gary Tooze