Holiday Affair

• Directed and Produced by Don Hartman
• November 23, 1949 (NYC) / December 24, 1949 (US)
• Based on the 1948 novelette Christmas Gift by John D. Weaver

A young widow must choose between a boring attorney and a charming stranger.

Old movies are only old if you have seen them before. They are new if it is your first time viewing. Holiday Affair came to my attention not too long ago. Mostly because of the star and the against type (at least for this period in his career) casting.

Robert Mitchum as a charmer and a dreamer? I have trouble seeing the man who originated the role of Max Cady of Cape Fear being a charming bachelor in anything. Every time I think of Mitchum I think of him as a tough guy despite loving him in Scrooged.

For me this was a surprise. He is amazing as the charming Steve Mason who finds himself drawn to the widowed Connie Ennis (Janet Leigh). When his act of kindness for her gets him fired he finds himself in a love triangle. He was rather effortless in his charm in a Cary Grant type of way.

Steve quickly meets his competition in the form of safe and successful local attorney Carl Davis (Wendell Corey). They both know they are in competition for the same woman and realize that each has about the same shot. There is an interesting little moment two of the three people in the love triangle size each other up. It’s awkward and nervous with a touch of comedy yet also much more natural than most romcoms. And it sets up nicely the dilemma that Connie must solve.

Carl offers a safe and comfortable and predictable life while Steve who has more dreams than reality offers love and passion. He goes forward with his whole heart. Things may not be certain and safe with him all the time, but he will always love Connie. Carl offers security but not nearly the amount of love that Steve can give. Carl is much more cautious and reserved.

Director Don Hartman and company do a good job making it seem Steve and Carl have an equal chance of succeeding even though you’re pretty certain from the start Steve will get the girl. And “victory” is not out of the blue because the credits are approaching. You can see the changes in Connie’s heart beginning. And you see the resignation in Carl when he realizes he’s fighting a losing battle. 

At the heart of the narrative of Holiday Affair is the difference between what one wants and what one actually needs emotionally. For his part Steve Mason needs a woman who will always choose him. Carl needs someone who is focused on him and genuinely cares about his interests rather than paying lip service. Connie wants safety and security but needs a passionate and free individual who has plans for the future but will also give her life a little razzle-dazzle and a sense of fun.

Our story is about character growth. Carl sums it up when he gives Connie the permission she did not know she was seeking to go be with Steve. That may sound sexist in this day and age but sometimes we all need a push to do what we should. Taking risks is frightening and ones where the outcome is unknown and where we could get emotionally hurt are the worst.

This is a fun and well-acted romcom. And while there are no sidesplitting laughs, there are plenty of chuckles and humorous scenes such as the scene in a police station when a misunderstanding led to Steve’s arrest. It also serves to further entangle the trio. Having seen the events that preceded it you know what is being said is true, but the discussion is comical. The scene features a young (relatively speaking) Harry Morgan as a police lieutenant unable to believe what he is hearing yet understanding this ridiculous story IS true.

If I had any complaints about this movie it’s that the opening is a little slow. I think they take a little too much time establishing how Connie is as a mom and her general life. It just went on a little too long, but things certainly picked up and became very enjoyable once they got to the romantic competition. That and Connie’s son Timmy (Gordon Gebert) who serves to make both men viable is just unreal as a character. Far too precocious to be believable.

If you want a good holiday romcom or just a good holiday story you cannot go wrong with Holiday Affair. It is entertaining and makes you feel good. I highly recommend this one!