Norman Thaddeus Vane's Midnight is an extraordinary excursion into treacherous territory - horror film satire. This much-maligned genre lists many casualties, so Midnight's success is as refreshing as it is surprising. Comparisons are odious, but as Midnight came out shortly after Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, unfair comparisons are inevitable. The Elvira film is a squeaky-clean corporate product, none the worse for that, whereas Midnight has the raw edge and rough look of a truly independent film. But Midnight's claim to fame are some truly remarkable performances.
First off, Lynn Redgrave virtually bursts through the screen in a bravura performance which is utterly breathtaking. "Over the top" is a term which diminishes this amazing portrayal of an insecure, neurotic, embittered has-been, and there is more than a touch of Gloria Swanson in Redgrave's compelling character. Long takes with other actors confirm that Redgrave's training in the theater really pays off in these types of film roles - you just can't take your eyes off this conflicted diva as she prances around, spewing forth her own particular venom. (Midnight's back story really harkens back to that of Vampira, aka Maila Nurmu, more than Elvira, Cassandra Petersen, but that's apples and oranges - what Redgrave brings to the character is nothing short of brilliant.)
Tony Curtis, always up for playing a parody of himself, is marvelous as a miserable sob who ends up in a nihilistic love-hate death spiral with the indefatigable Midnight. Steve Parrish is quite amazing as a conniving, two-timing young actor who seems to be channeling the spirit of either James Dean or Marlon Brando throughout his entire performance; Parrish's character is thoroughly charismatic, and thoroughly despicable. Karen Lorre is notable as a sleazy, bed-hopping starlet, illustrating perfectly that great beauty can hide great evil. Also worth noting is Gustav Vintas, doing his best impression of Erich von Stroheim.
There are several viable subtexts woven throughout Midnight, perhaps the most relevant being the capricious nature of fame and the dubious value of being a victim of an obsessive cult of celebrity. There's abundant references to many other films and tropes here, Sunset Boulevard being the most obvious, but Midnight works almost solely on the strength of the four main characters, each a performance worthy of an Oscar. Midnight is a bright light, shining the sheer power of performance, in a decade full of hacks, amateurs and wanna-bes.
