Holiday (1938)

Seeing it again, I realize that the morals of the story are: Rich is Bad; Poor is Good Rich is Unhappy; Poor is Happy Rich is pro-Nazi (see comment about "right kind of government" from Seton cousin Cram); Poor is anti-Nazi (See Johnny Case reaction) Hollywood composed of the richest non-business men in the then world pushing these ideals may have satisfied audiences of the depression decade, but don't work today. And weren't true then or now.

Johnny Case (Cary Grant) falls in love with Julia Seton (Doris Nolan) while on holiday. Despite knowing little about each other, they become engaged. The free-spirited Johnny finds he doesn't have much in common with Julia's class-obsessed family, except for her 'black sheep' sister Linda (Katharine Hepburn). Gradually Linda begins to fall for Johnny as he struggles with the contrast between what he wants out of life and what Julia wants.This is a nice George Cukor romantic comedy but I'm not as in love with it as others. Grant and Hepburn are great. This is one of Hepburn's more likable roles. But there's something about the plot that leaves me a little cold on the romance front. Basically at the end of the picture I'm left with the feeling that Grant's character is a little quick to fall in love and any potential he might have for a successful relationship with Hepburn or anybody else is doubtful. I guess that's the cynic in me coming out but the film really didn't try to appeal to the romantic. Still, it's a good film with a great director, two amazing stars, and a fine supporting cast.

I thought I was a retired middle school principal, but apparently I'm wrong. I must be a comedian. I say that because people describe this as a comedy because it has some humor in it. I tell an occasional joke, hence I must be a comedian.This is a comedy? Let's see. You have the leading man in love with two women -- sisters. One sister is depressed about her life, but is brought alive when she meets her sister's finance. The other sister is in love with the leading man, but wants him to conform to her father's staid view of what life in high places should be. The father is a relic from New York City's elite, which is becoming passé since the Great Depression; meanwhile he stifles both (but particularly one) daughters to the point that one is in a state of depression. The brother is an alcoholic. The romantic lead has to decide whether to let one sister and the father ruin his dreams for his life, or marry the depressed sister who understands his dreams. So much for this being a comedy.That's not to say there's not humor here. Cary Grant repeatedly doing acrobatic tricks (he had formerly been an acrobat), and Katherine Hepburn joining him. A genuinely funny performance by Edward Everett Horton and his movie wife -- Jean Dixon.Perhaps the reason that this did not succeed at the box office was that Columbia pegged it as a comedy, but that's not what audiences found after they paid for their tickets. Perhaps critics, who generally praised the film, released what the film really was. I, too, give this film high marks for standing above many films of the time. The characters come alive far more than they did in many other films of the general time period. Grant, Hepburn, Horton and Dixon are superb, and at the very least, the rest of the actors do their jobs.There are many Cary Grant comedies. If that's what you want, go elsewhere. But if you want to see several outstanding performances in roles that are rather compelling...yet with a charming mix of humor mixed in here and there, this is the film for you.

I saw Holiday as a fan of Cary Grant and of Katharine Hepburn, and like I did with Bringing Up Baby and The Philadephia Story, I loved it, from start to finish Holiday is quite simply magical entertainment. CINEMATOGRAPHY/PRODUCTION VALUES The cinematography for films made around this period, before and after and for this genre, often looks wonderful and holds up well. Holiday is no exception to the rule, while the costumes and sets add to Holiday's charm. MUSIC As an aspiring professional singer and music enthusiast I always look for good music. An uncredited Sidney Cutner provides the music here, and he does do a very good job. The music is memorable and fitting, and does have a somewhat timeless heart warming quality to it. STORY The story for Holiday is a very sweet and heart warming one. While things do get a tad overstated at the end, throughout George Cukor(who does a superb job directing this film) makes the story and situations upbeat and entertaining.SCREENPLAY Aside from the acting, the screenplay is what makes Holiday work so well, as it expertly mixes comedy, romance, social comment and pathos. The comedy is genuinely funny, the romance is sweet and warm, the social comment is relevant and done in a non-offensive way and the pathos is poignant. ACTING Holiday does have a superb support cast, with Doris Nolan, Edward Everett Horton and Lew Ayres particularly standing out. But for my money, the film's best asset is the performances and chemistry of the leads. Cary Grant is at his most charming and his most thoughtful, and I have yet to see a film of hers where Katharine Hepburn is as touching and as beautiful as she is here even playing the rich-girl character that we have seen before. And their chemistry sparkles like champagne bubbles. All in all, I think this film is wonderful. 10/10 Bethany Cox