MovieChat Forums > Midnight (1939) Discussion > John Barrymore

John Barrymore

posted 17 years ago by wmorrow59
8 replies | jump to latest

Much as I admire the rest of the cast, I think Barrymore absolutely steals the show. From what I gather he was on a steep downward slide by the time he appeared in this film, and he certainly looks dissolute (and much older than his actual age), but his way with a quip is unimpared, his wide-eyed reactions are hilarious, and his timing is impeccable. If it's true that he was reading his lines off of cue-cards, it doesn't show. Midnight was one of his best comic performances, and it's poignant to see him playing opposite Mary Astor, long after their teaming in Don Juan back in the silent days.

[–] snitws 17 years ago

I agree completely. The first time I saw this was several years ago at a screening at the Bing Theatre in Los Angeles. Seeing it on the big screen I was floored by Barrymore's performance. The leering looks he gives Claudette Colbert when he is sizing her up at the party are priceless. You can see why he was considered one of the greatest actors of his generation. This is a movie I can watch over and over again and be amazed at the excellence of the writing and acting each time.

[–] bjnevin 16 years ago

If you like John Barrymore's acting I STRONGLY recommend Hawks' "Twentieth Century"- a truly divine comedy with one of THE greatest comic performances I have ever seen!!

[–] pedro4300 16 years ago

A agree, I thought Barrymore was a riot! A I also loved the gay best friend of Astor, he was hilarious as was his obsession for gossip!

[–] Topographic 16 years ago

John Barrymore was an amazing actor. I especially liked him in Grand Hotel and Twentieth Century. I noticed immediately that he was reading his lines, and I think it took away a little from his performance. But he was funny as always, with the eyes, timing and posture.

[–] fast_fierce_and_funny 15 years ago

Much as I admire the rest of the cast, I think Barrymore absolutely steals the show. From what I gather he was on a steep downward slide by the time he appeared in this film, and he certainly looks dissolute (and much older than his actual age), but his way with a quip is unimpared, his wide-eyed reactions are hilarious, and his timing is impeccable.

I agree entirely.

In fact, one of his lines in this film is probably my favorite movie line of all time. Admittedly, it doesn't read all that well on the page, (or, rather, on the screen) but if you're familiar with the movie, you know the scene I'm talking about.

Jacques Picot: She's wonderful, isn't she?

JB: Amazing.

I've been lucky enough to see the film a few times on the Silver Screen now and I'm afraid I've gotten to the point where I find myself blurting out the line right along with Barrymore: it's that juicy. :)

[–] HollyweirdAndVine 10 years ago

I caught that right away and had to rewind! Arsene Lupin!

[–] Harold_Robbins 14 years ago

"it's poignant to see him playing opposite Mary Astor, long after their teaming in Don Juan back in the silent days."

I just read Mary Astor's My Story: An Autobiography, in which she implies that her teenage relationship with Barrymore, though deeply emotional, was platonic, because her parents would never leave her alone with him. He eventually distanced himself from her and married Dolores Costello, much to Astor's disappointment. Although she mentions Midnight in passing, I don't recall that she mentioned what it was like seeing and working with him after so many years.

"'Nature,' Mr. Allnut, is what we are put here to rrrrrriiiiise above!"

[–] HarlowMGM 14 years ago

It's certainly Barrymore's best performance and film from his final period 1937-1942 when he was badly off the wagon and a sad wreck of a man. I wouldn't go so far as to say he steals the show - this film is Claudette at her very best IMO.