Holiday Affair (1949)

The Christmas-season romance of a young widow and a sales clerk who (thanks to her) is unemployed.

Director:

Don Hartman

Writers:

Isobel Lennart (screenplay), John D. Weaver (story)

Stars:

Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, Wendell Corey

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Mitchum	...	Steve
Janet Leigh	...	Connie
Wendell Corey	...	Carl
Gordon Gebert	...	Timmy
Griff Barnett	...	Mr. Ennis
Esther Dale	...	Mrs. Ennis
Henry O'Neill	...	Mr. Crowley
Harry Morgan	...	Police Lieutenant (as Henry Morgan)
Larry J. Blake	...	Plainclothesman
Helen Brown	...	Emily

Storyline

Just before Christmas, department store clerk Steve Mason meets big spending customer Connie Ennis, really a commercial spy. He unmasks her but lets her go, which gets him fired. They end up on a date, which doesn't sit well with Connie's steady suitor, Carl, but delights her son Timmy, who doesn't want Carl for a step-dad. Standard (if sweet) romantic complications follow.

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Plot Keywords:

widow | train | department store | christmas | war widow | 

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Taglines:

Baby, you're just what I want for Christmas

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 December 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cupido op vacantie

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although this modest film was not a success at the time, annual showings on Turner Classic Movies in recent years has made this film something of a minor Holiday classic.

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Quotes

Steve Mason: Carl isn't the real threat to me. Maybe I'm not to him. This isn't two fellows and a girl, you know. This is two fellows, a girl and her husband. I can't fight a shadow - I tried - competition's too tough. You were even going to play it safe and settle for someone you didn't love so you wouldn't be unfaithful to your husband.
Connie Ennis: Oh, you're always so wrong about me. I have a wonderful memory of a husband and a marriage. You're trying to take it away from me.
Steve Mason: Nobody wants to do that. I know. I'm ...
[...]

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Connections

Remade as Holiday Affair (1996)

User Reviews

Appealing Christmas confection!

Bright and engaging holiday-themed romantic comedy has single mom Janet Leigh wooed by two men over the holidays: devil-may-care Robert Mitchum (who really does have a sardonic demon in his eyes!) and staunch, dull Wendell Corey. Poor Corey really has a thankless role here, not only playing the third wheel but berated for it as well; still, he plays dishwater-dull to perfection and his voice of reason would surely give Leigh cause to second-guess her heart. Surprisingly quirky film isn't the least bit obvious or clichéd, and Janet's screen-relationship with the likable youngster playing her son is very well handled. Top-notch writing, directing and acting; a gem. ***1/2 from ****