pandorainmay Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 I was quite charmed by the low key quality of this Christmas movie on TCM last night, which I'd never seen, called Holiday Affair (1949). I found that the little boy, Gordon Gebert*, gave a remarkably un-mawkish performance. It was so nice to see a Holiday movie that wasn't trying to knock your eye out with some ersatz idea of perfection, but did an exceedingly nice job of weaving a quiet spell through the good script by Isobel Lennart and genuine performances by one and all, particularly Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh and Wendell Corey. I liked the way that the director (Don Hartman) and the script allowed each character some time to develop and even those in small parts, such as Henry O'Neill as the department store boss, Griff Barnett and Esther Dale as Leigh's parents, and Harry Morgan as a cop, all had their moments. It was fun to read in a TCM article about this movie that Mitchum, who was at his best in this movie playing against type, became genuine friends with relatively new actress, Janet Leigh. According to the article, "During a tense dinner scene, (Mitchum) and co-star Wendell Corey each slipped a hand onto her knee under the table. She started fidgeting in response, which turned out to be the perfect reaction for the scene." Naughty boys! She was very good in that particular scene, as she was in the scene when in the car with Corey, when they make a mutual, surprisingly mature decision together. Corey was exceptionally expressive in this movie, though the poor guy was always getting jilted in his career, wasn't he?--even his partner John Hodiak wanted to ditch him in Desert Fury (Corey's very good premiere performance on film)! If you're interested in seeing Holiday Affair, it's on again on TCM at 1:45pm ET today. * Say, here's a little article from the Des Moines Register about the boy who played Timmy. Believe it or not, it's a success story about a former child actor! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissGoddess Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 Hi Moira, I've always been a HUGE fan of this little movie and keep hoping for its eventual dvd release. I can watch it over and over and frequently do. Somehow, Janet and Mitchum really make a believable couple and Wendell Corey an equally believable "also ran" (as he often did---I love the reaction of the in-laws to the news that Janet is to marry Corey, "Carl!" Poor schnook!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandorainmay Posted December 24, 2007 Author Share Posted December 24, 2007 Thanks for the great picture of thoughtful Timmy (Gordon Gebert) brooding away in his bedroom at night. I like the crushed fedora look on Mitchum gazing wearily at the seals with Janet Leigh too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted December 25, 2007 Share Posted December 25, 2007 I really like Janet here, so poised and warm and mature -- and completely flustered by the "fiery" feelings she has for Mitchum (the same she had for her husband). Poor Carl never stood a chance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissGoddess Posted December 25, 2007 Share Posted December 25, 2007 "Carl?!" "Carl?!" I just think it's so funny the way the inlaws can't believe she's going to marry him. lol But just to show you, I watched it once with a friend and she actually preferred Carl. She thought he had a better job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted December 25, 2007 Share Posted December 25, 2007 I have to admit that when I first saw this years ago, I was a bit put off, even frightened, by the "noir-ish" Mitchum playing against type, because to me his character was still very edgy and unconventional. I initially would have preferred the "safety" of Carl and the status quo but, like Nick Cage says to Cher in MOONSTRUCK, "Playing it safe is about the riskiest thing a woman like you can do". Of course it was inferred that Janet didn't feel any "chemistry" with Carl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissGoddess Posted December 25, 2007 Share Posted December 25, 2007 Carl is a really nice guy and it's not really possible to dislike him, poor thing. I hope he found his frowsy blonde who will feed him on canned beans. I don't know why but I keep picturing Gloria Grahame as she was in Crossfire. Or maybe Barbara Nichols. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronxgirl48 Posted December 25, 2007 Share Posted December 25, 2007 Yes, Carl and Barbara 'It was Palm Beach two years ago. Don't tell Sidney" Nichols would be perfect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CelluloidKid Posted August 31, 2008 Share Posted August 31, 2008 _Holiday Affair_ (1949) Comes to DVD: November 11, 2008 *A new group of timeless film favorites will bring extra sparkle to* *the holidays with the introduction of _Warner Bros. Classic Holiday_* *_Collection Volume 2_. This latest group of highly requested titles* *which are finally making their DVD debut includes _All Mine to Give_,* *_Holiday Affair_ and _It Happened on 5th Avenue_ along with a special* *bonus disc _Blossoms in the Dust_. The films will be available both as a* *festive boxed gift set for $29.98 SRP and individually for $19.97* *(Blossoms in the Dust will only be included as part of the collection).* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen444 Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 I also love this film. It's got something for everyone. Christmas, love, model trains and of course Janet Leigh's frontal attributes. I wonder if Howard Hughes had anything to do with it's design as he did with Jane Russell's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChipHeartsMovies Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 Note that you can preorder the box set (as well as Vol. 1) on Amazon now for $21.99 --- that makes each movie $5.50, and if you spend over $25 they ship for free. I actually started a thread on this box set as well, based on *It Happened on Fifth Avenue* being included. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CelluloidKid Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 *Thu, Dec 17, 10:00 PM: _Holiday Affair_ (1949)!!!* *All Times Eastern!* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamradio Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 I like to have the post war F3 diesel that boy had - still in the SAME condition! Mirror, mirror on the wall Happy New *Yere* Lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CelluloidKid Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 *Fri, Dec 25, 4:30 PM: Holiday Affair (1949)!!! Arizona Time! Check Local Schedule!* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrroberts Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 My brother and I watched Holiday Affair last Christmas day. He still has his 1950 era Lionel Santa Fe 3 engine set, although it has been packed away for years. He couldn't remember if he saw the film as a kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziggyelman Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 > {quote:title=Bronxgirl48 wrote:}{quote} > I have to admit that when I first saw this years ago, I was a bit put off, even frightened, by the "noir-ish" Mitchum playing against type, because to me his character was still very edgy and unconventional. > > I initially would have preferred the "safety" of Carl and the status quo but, like Nick Cage says to Cher in MOONSTRUCK, "Playing it safe is about the riskiest thing a woman like you can do". > > Of course it was inferred that Janet didn't feel any "chemistry" with Carl. Funny, me first reaction to Mitchum's character when I saw this a few years back, was that he was way too mean to a war widow. I did like the rest of the movie though, and that boy(shoot, can't see the name right now) was one of the best child actors ever! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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