I had not heard of this film but caught it on TCM, primarily because I've always admired March. And did any Hollywood male star appear with more leading women of several eras (Clara Bow, Norma Shearer, Claudette Colbert, Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, Katherine Hepburn, Janet Gaynor, Kay Francis, Ann Harding, Miriam Hopkins, Evelyn Veneble, Jeanne Eagles, Olivia de Havilland, Carole Lombard, and Grace Kelly -- I'm sure I missed a few!). And March is superb here in moving from infatuation, to jealousy, to recognition of what love is all about. The contrast with his bragging buddy is well drawn. Novak is much better here than I ever thought she would be -- her own somewhat tentative approach is right for the character. The city (NY) is superbly used as a slushy background for the narrative. Also well done in Chevefsky's script is the amateur psychological game being played by people in the 50s -- when everyone was neurotic. In fact, Chevefsky, chronicler of lost hope and the yearning for love, is at his best here. A lot of talk -- but it is an eminently actable script, as the actors demonstrate. Balsam is superb, as noted. And look for the splendid cameo by Betty Walker as the insufferable (but very human) widow who throws herself at March's Jerry. The happy ending is earned. The two have been hammered by their relatives, but instead of ending up merely bitter and alienated... The ending was a surprise, but a pleasant one! It was the conclusion of "The Lady or the Tiger."
Review of Middle of the Night
