Holiday Affair is an extremely delightful example of a classic romantic comedy. With how romantic comedies have such a bad reputation today, it is easy to forget how many delightful romantic comedies were made during the 1930's and 40's with seemingly effortless charm. Setting this film around my favorite time of year, only adds to the charm of Holiday Affair.
Connie Ennis (Janet Leigh) is a war widow with a young son named Timmy (played by Gordon Gelbert), who makes her living as a comparative shopper. Connie goes to buy a toy train for her job. When she brings it home Timmy thinks it is a Christmas present for him, and is disappointed when she goes to return it. When she does return it, a clerk named Steve (played by Robert Mitchum) has figured out what Connie's job is. He is supposed to turn her in but when he finds out that she is a war widow with a kid he decides not to. This ends up getting him fired. To make it up to him Connie takes him out for dinner. This ends up making her boyfriend, Carl Davis (played by Wendell Correy) jealous. When Steve takes her home he meets Timmy. Learning that Timmy wants a toy train like her mother returned, he buys him one for Christmas. As by Christmas Connie is engaged to Carl, this makes the situation awkward for everybody involved.
This was one of only five films directed by Don Hartman. The other four were It Had to be You, Every Girl Should be Married, Mr. Imperium and It's a Big Country: An American Anthology. He was more prolific as a writer. Some of his writing credits include Road to Singapore, Road to Zanzibar, Road to Morocco, The Gay Deception and My Favorite Blonde.
Robert Mitchum was an odd choice for the lead in a lighthearted romantic comedy like this. He was mostly associated with tough guy roles. An advertisement in Box Office Barometer stated "Here's a new kind of warm romantic role for Mitchum and a new kind of thrill for you". To add to this he had been arrested the previous year for possessing marijuana. However Howard Hughes, who owned RKO refused to drop Mitchum's contract. Janet Leigh was surprised to learn that Mitchum despite his rough image, was an extremely dedicated actor. He did play some practical jokes while working but none of them where mean spirited and he was certainly giving his all to his work.
This film was a box office failure when first released, but fortunately has gained a dedicated following today that is well deserved.
No word describes this movie better than delightful. Every scene of the film is just so enjoyable to watch. The movie is full of great dialogue and the chemistry between the whole cast is absolutely perfect. The climax is a prefect example of classic screwball comedy. Most of all though this movie just moves at a fast breezy pace, and never loses an audience's interest.
An issue of Showman's trade review talked about an interesting promotion for the film. Here Charles E. Lewis wrote "Santa Claus stayed around Ashbury Park and Morristown, N.J., for an extra week to ballyhoo 'Holiday Affair' the New Year's Eve attraction at Reade's Asbury Mayfair and Morristown Community theaters. St. Nick walked around the streets bearing this sign: 'I'm staying around until New Year's Eve to see 'Holiday Affair'.' Active in persuading the jolly old gentleman to hang around were Ashbury City Manager Guy Hevina and Morristown City Manager Ralph Lanterman."
-Michael J. Ruhland
Photoplay 1950
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