MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

US, 1959, 118 minutes, Black and white.
Fredric March, Kim Novak, Glenda Farrell, Albert Dekker, Martin Balsam, Lee Grant, Lee Phillips, Joan Copeland.
Directed by Delbert Mann.

Middle of the Night is based on a play by Paddy Chayevsky who adapted it for the screen. Chayevsky had made a great impact in television in the 1950s and transferred some of his television plays to the big screen including Marty and The Bachelor Party by Chayevsky. Mann had just directed Separate Tables and was to direct The Dark at the Top of the Stairs and a number of lighter films during the 1960s. In 1968 he began making telemovies – over thirty of them in succeeding decades.

Fredric March, who had already won two Oscars for Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde and The Best Years of Our Lives, plays the manager of a company who is a widower. He becomes intrigued and then infatuated by one of his employees played by Kim Novak. Critical opinion differs on Kim Novak. She had made some impact in such films as Picnic and then was chosen by Hitchcock to appear in Vertigo the year before this film.

The film is very strong in its dialogue, in its insights into the older man and his problems, the insecure young woman, the tentative relationship and the reaction of people around them.

1. The tone and implications of the title? Waking up, dreams, time passing, love?

2. The importance of the black and white photography and atmosphere? was it evident also that the film was based on a play? Did the film show any staginess?

3. What was the basic impact of the film and its message? Did it ask for sympathy for its characters? Did it give Insight into humanity and people's plights?

4. What did the film have to say about age and experience? The contrast between inexperience and experience? What did it have to say about as ageing men, loneliness, their needs, the foolish impulses to fulfil these needs?

5. What did the film have to say about love? Its importance? Its possibility in unlikely circumstances? In Jerry Kingsley as a basic need, after a full life with his wife and family? Love for Betty on the surface, a divorcee? The portrayal of love in the marriage of Lilian and the fighting? The disillusionment of Lockman? The bitter, narrow love of the sister? What does the film indicate as the basis of love? What kind of change does it require in people? What demands does it make? How much more than infatuation is it? How much sharing? The impact of love on Jerry and Betty? The contrast with Betty as a child, her delight, yet her inability to respond?

6. Did the film give much insight into the character of Jerry Kingsley? As a man, husband, father, brother? His loneliness and needs? His involvement with his work? His confronting old age? His inability to confront love? His infatuation? The difference between talking and acting? Having to cope with his sister, daughter? His discovery of their response in this new situation? The importance of his annoyance, moods, religious background? How hurt was he by this experience? Why did he make the final decision to go back to Betty? Was this realistic? What prospect of success did the relationship have?

7. How well portrayed was Betty? As a typical secretary, adolescent attitudes towards marriage and love, her being seen with the other girls, flattered by the attentions of the older man, rather childish in her reactions?

8. Her relationship with her husband? Her telling Jerry the truth about their night together? Her confusion by love? Her inability to understand his needs and demands? Would they have a future together?

9. How were the comments of Jerry's sister and daughter important for highlighting the real love? The sister and her being hurt? The relationship between Lilian and her husband? The importance of his angry scene with her?

9. The importance of Lockman and his death as a contrast to Jerry and his future?

10. How well was this all situated in the world of the business firm, New York, apartments, the Kingsley house, the streets, restaurants etc.? How did this add to the atmosphere of the film?

11. How important was the dialogue for the telling of truth and for the exploration of the theme? What was memorable about the dialogue?

12. Was the ending credible? Did it gain audience sympathy? Was success augured for the future?