Holiday Affair (1949)
by Don Hartman
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Product details
Actor: Gordon Gebert, Griff Barnett, Janet Leigh, Robert Mitchum, Wendell CoreyDirector: Don Hartman
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Black & White, HiFi Sound, NTSC
Running Time: 86 minutes
Release Date: 1999-09-28
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: Turner Home Ent
Studio: Turner Home Ent
VHS Movie Reviews of Holiday Affair (1949)
Movie Review: Add this Movie to Your Christmas Viewing List
Summary: 5 Stars
It's not "It's a Wonderful Life" but this excellent movie has strong characters, humor and touches the heart!Movie Review: So where can I get Crowley's Red Rocket Express?
Summary: 5 Stars
Christmas-ed out, yet? No? Then you might want to give HOLIDAY AFFAIR a try. It just might give you that warm, all-over fuzzy feeling (if you don't find that sort of thing objectionable). Now I don't normally associate Robert Mitchum with Christmas. In fact, when I think of him at all, it's normally in the area of film noir. That, or he's off fighting The Yakuza (a very good movie, by the way). One exception is 1949's romantic comedy HOLIDAY AFFAIR, in which Mitchum makes me almost forget his anti-hero screen persona. I say "almost," because while we do see a gentler, warmer Mitchum, he doesn't entirely forego that aura of hard-boiled cynicism. But, in a comedy film, I guess that trait is perceived as free-spirited ruggedness. But he certainly makes for an interesting romantic comedy leading man.
But, never mind, HOLIDAY AFFAIR is more Janet Leigh's movie anyway. RKO borrowed her from MGM, and it's a good choice. Leigh brings to the screen a delicate beauty and grace and a certain sweetness, perfect for the role of a young war widow trying to provide for her young son. More than anyone else, she makes the film worth watching. HOLIDAY AFFAIR is very good family entertainment, and it doesn't overpower you with too many sweet and cute moments. Again, credit Leigh's grounded performance. But, also, the saccharine contents are tempered in part by Mitchum's subversive, take-no-guff nature. In fact, along with Bachelor Mother (VHS only) and Christmas in Connecticut, HOLIDAY AFFAIR is one of those lesser known but thoroughly addictive holiday films I make sure I watch during the Yuletide season. Of course, for lesser known films, these three titles do seem to get some decent air time come December. For trivia buffs, HOLIDAY AFFAIR was remade in 1996 under the same title (Holiday Affair) as an agreeable made-for-tv movie with David James Elliott and Cynthia Gibb.
HOLIDAY AFFAIR's easy-going plot involves the romance between Leigh's fussy, orderly-minded war widow who toils as a comparison shopper and Mitchum's spontaneous sales clerk, whom she inadvertently causes to be fired. Throw in a cute-as-crap little boy (who was annoying at times) and some complications with an expensive toy train set. Then, for the soap opera junkies, introduce a love triangle element in the form of a dull-as-a-sock-puppet attorney. And there's your conflict. Actually, though, there's really no bad guys here. The third wheel attorney is a decent guy himself, and it's just his tough luck that he's a little light when it comes to charisma. I even felt a little bad for the poor palooka.
Nothing unpredictable here. It's a happy ending, as befitting a holiday comedy romance. Even though Leigh's character (bless her practical heart) must decide what's ultimately best for her and her son - the security and safety net provided by her boring fiancee against Mitchum's more attractive but worryingly offbeat ex-sales clerk - there isn't any real tension regarding who she'll end up with. But, still, it's huge fun watching the events unfold. Janet Leigh is radiant. Robert Mitchum invokes his maverick charm. And it's set during Christmas, the best time of the year. I personally think this one's a classic, and, along with BACHELOR MOTHER, should've been out on dvd eons ago.
Movie Review: Heartwarming Christmas Affair
Summary: 4 Stars
Connie Ennis (Janet Leigh) is a widow with a small child, Timmy (Gordon Gebert). She lives her life happily, but she isn't too keen on the man she's dating (Wendell Corey). She's a comparison shopper for a department store, and it's Christmastime, so she's taking advantage of all of the sales. She goes to the toy department and asks the clerk, Steve Mason (Robert Mitchum) to wrap up the expensive train set there. He catches on right away, but does as he's told. Lo and behold, she's back again the next morning to return the train. He's supposed to turn her in, which would cause her to lose her job, but he takes pity on her and gives her money back. However, it costs him his job. She takes pity on him in return and goes to lunch with him; he winds up meeting her son and falling in love with the family.
This movie is very heartwarming, and the brightest spot is little Gebert. He's the most realistic child star I've ever seen, and can charm the buttons off of the meanest of scrooges. He really carries this film, although the rest of the cast isn't bad either. Leigh is absolutely beautiful and Mitchum maintains his masculine aloofness despite his lovable character.
This is such a great movie to watch for Christmas, though it is really appropriate for anytime.
Movie Review: Holiday Affair
Summary: 5 Stars
So happy to puchased this VHS tape. It is one of my husband's favorites and is rarely shown during Christmas. It brings out what Christmas is all about and how there can be second chances at happiness.Movie Review: Holiday Affair
Summary: 5 Stars
Such a cute movie. Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh are both wonderful.
Summary of Holiday Affair (1949)
One of the lesser holiday movies, this 1949 comedy stars Janet Leigh as a war widow who can't afford to buy her son a toy train for Christmas. A veteran (Robert Mitchum) who happens to be standing by in a department store overhears her plight and offers to purchase the toy, thus setting into motion a series of funny complications. Wendell Corey plays Leigh's suspicious, condescending boyfriend, whose jealousy compounds Mitchum's problems, and Harry Morgan is very good as a night-court judge trying to make sense of everything that happens. The movie didn't do so well at the box office at the time of its release, but it has gained an affectionate fan base over the years. Don't expect Miracle on 34th Street, but as a spirited lark for Yuletide, this is a lot of fun. --Tom KeoghComedy of Errors Video
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