The Other Side of Midnight

The Other Side of Midnight

Year: 1977

Runtime: 165 mins

Language: English

Director: Charles Jarrott

RomanceThrillerDramaMoving relationship storiesErotic relationships and desire

Noelle Page, a French actress, falls for American pilot Larry Douglas, expecting marriage. Larry returns to the U.S. and marries innocent Catherine. Heartbroken, Noelle dates wealthy Greek Constantin and builds a successful acting career, vowing revenge. When her plot unfolds, she and Larry rekindle their passion and conspire to eliminate Catherine.

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Timeline & Setting – The Other Side of Midnight (1977)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Other Side of Midnight (1977). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1930s–1940s

Set in the late 1930s as Europe teeters on the brink of war, the narrative tracks a romance that flourishes amid glamorous but precarious circumstances. The onset of World War II reshapes loyalties and opportunities, forcing characters to adapt to shifting power dynamics. The postwar period shows the survivors facing the consequences of their choices.

Location

France, Hollywood, Chicago, Greece

France serves as the initial romantic backdrop just before World War II, where Noelle and Larry begin their torrid affair. The story winds through Hollywood's film industry and European high society, exposing glamour, hunger, and ambition. Chicago is introduced as Catherine's hometown, framing a contrast with Noelle's ascent. Greece becomes the stage for the murder plot and its fallout, including a corrupt court and tragic endings.

🇫🇷 France 🎬 Hollywood 🇺🇸 Chicago 🇬🇷 Greece

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:55

Main Characters – The Other Side of Midnight (1977)

Meet the key characters of The Other Side of Midnight (1977), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Noelle Page (Marie-France Pisier)

Noelle is a driven, beautiful woman who turns heartbreak into ambition after a harrowing abortion. She uses seduction and social ascent to become a famous actress and then the mistress of a gilded tycoon, all while nursing a taste for revenge. Her calculations and lack of empathy propel the plot and bring about tragedy. A calculating survivor, she cannot escape the consequences of her choices.

💃 Ambitious 💼 Ruthless 💋 Seductive

Catherine Alexander Douglas (Susan Sarandon)

Catherine is a sweet, trusting woman from Chicago who becomes Larry's wife. She is initially unaware of Larry's past and Noelle's machinations, embodying innocence and resilience. Her life is upended by the affair and the murder plot, yet she endures and, in the end, survives, seeking solace in a convent.

💖 Kind-hearted 🕊️ Resilient 🎭 Victim of circumstance

Larry Douglas (John Beck)

Larry starts as a charming American pilot whose warmth masks a propensity for manipulation and self-interest. He uses his allure to win Catherine and later becomes entangled in Noelle's calculated plan for money and status. His inconsistent loyalties and vanity drive the tragedy that unfolds for all involved.

💔 Charismatic 🧭 Self-serving 🏁 Tragic

Constantin Demeris (Raf Vallone)

Constantin is a powerful Greek tycoon whose wealth and influence extend into high society and legal spheres. He views people as instruments to advance his interests, shaping events behind the scenes rather than through romance. His presence anchors the social and legal pressures that drive the plot toward its grim conclusion.

💎 Wealth 🤝 Power broker ⚖️ Corrupt influence

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:55

Major Themes – The Other Side of Midnight (1977)

Explore the central themes of The Other Side of Midnight (1977), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Obsession

Noelle's love for Larry quickly morphs into an all-consuming fixation after a life-changing abortion. She uses her charm to climb social ladders—from actress to mistress of a gilded tycoon—driven by a longing to possess what she couldn't keep. The obsession blinds her to moral boundaries, setting in motion a deadly chain of revenge. The film portrays how desire, when fused with power, can ruin both lovers and innocents.

💰 Power & Wealth

Wealth and social status drive the plot as Noelle brazenly leverages relationships to attain high society; Constantin Demeris epitomizes wealth's influence, wielding power over courts and destinies. The pursuit of money becomes a moral test, revealing manipulation, contracts, and danger. The theme shows how money can corrupt justice and personal loyalty.

⚖️ Justice & Fate

The Greek court's verdicts reveal the thin line between justice and influence, as Constantin's power sways outcomes. The murder plot ends with execution, but Catherine's survival adds a twist of fate and resilience. The film suggests that fate and law are tangled in glamour-driven cultures.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:55

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Unlock the Full Story of The Other Side of Midnight

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The Other Side of Midnight Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Other Side of Midnight, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Other Side of Midnight Summary

The Other Side of Midnight Timeline

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The Other Side of Midnight Timeline

More About The Other Side of Midnight

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More About The Other Side of Midnight

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