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A very grown up Deanna Durbin gives a bravura performance as a sleazy nightclub singer in this intense Film Noir Hollywood classic. An army lieutenant (Dean Harens), recently jilted by his fiancée, finds himself introduced to a New Orleans bordello by a drinking companion. Here he meets singer Jackie Lamont (Deanna Durbin) - a woman with a dark past and an even darker secret... Her real name is Abigail Manette and her husband, Robert Manette (Gene Kelly), is a convicted murderer serving life in prison - or so she believes. Unknown to her, Robert has broken out of jail and is intent on tracking her down. He's consumed with jealousy, obsessed with the idea she's been unfaithful to him - and has already decided that the hapless army lieutenant is really her secret lover... A rare opportunity to see Deanna Durbin truly excel in an unusual and demanding role, CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY features her singing 'Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year' and the Berlin classic 'Always'.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By R. Overton
Format:DVD
This is the movie that Gene Kelly's estate, as I understand it, has attempted to suppress. (You cannot find it in a Region 1 version.) And this makes sense. It's hardly in keeping with his image as the elated guy with the umbrella dancing in the rain. But rather Siodmak's darker version of Kelly--as gambler, murderer, momma's boy (take that however you want) & more, generally making us uncomfortable with him. It's also--as critic James Harvey has noted--the film you're least likely to see in a Deanna Durbin retrospective. Her fans don't like it either, for its enigmatically perverse atmosphere & noirish, Wagnerian climax. As you might imagine--with both stars playing against type under the sophisticated direction of Siodmak--it's finally quite haunting. New Orleans never felt so damp with decadence, it's full of a wide spectrum of music, and it's fascinating in its quirky mix of characters. Despite some who see her as badly miscast, Durbin is impressive, showing that she could handle more than singing cute. It reportedly was her favorite movie.
39 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
Not a particularly huge hit when released in 1944, 'Christmas Holiday' is really an extraordinary film, ahead of its time in my opinion. It is interesting to see Gene Kelly as the 'villian', not something we see often. When I first watched it, I really didn't know what to expect, and I can say that it left a huge impact on me, which led to my watching it twice more. It has to be one of the best (and underrated) black and white film. You won't be disappointed.
Nice DVD transfer too...special features only include a stills gallery, still, there are some nice shots here. Highly recommended film.
By L O'connor
Format:DVD
Anyone seeing a film entitled Christmas Holiday and starring Deanna Durbin and Gene Kelly, might reasonably expect a cheerful Christmas musical, probably with some misunderstandings and confusion, and ending with Durbin and Kelly in a joyous embrace.
Instead what you get is a bleak melodrama about an escaped convict taking refuge with his unhappy wife, who no longer loves him but feels duty bound to help him, and Kelly is killed at the end.
Whoever thought it a good idea to pair Kelly and Durbin in such a gloomy offering was, in my opinion, simply wasting the opportunity to pair these two in something more suited to their talents.
Instead what you get is a bleak melodrama about an escaped convict taking refuge with his unhappy wife, who no longer loves him but feels duty bound to help him, and Kelly is killed at the end.
Whoever thought it a good idea to pair Kelly and Durbin in such a gloomy offering was, in my opinion, simply wasting the opportunity to pair these two in something more suited to their talents.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Her first movie???
I bought this movie since I like Deanna Durbin's singing and of course Gene Kelly is Gene Kelly. Well, she only sings one song and not in the way I remember her from other movies... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Brenda T. Enck
5.0 out of 5 stars
christmas holiday
saw advertised thought i would like to see it. not as good as i thought
Published on 30 Aug 2010 by Mrs. P. Osborne
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's ok
Lt Mason (Dean Harens) is returning home when his plane has to make an emergency landing. On an overnight stay, he has an encounter with Jackie/Abigail (Deanna Durbin) at a... Read more
Published on 27 Dec 2008 by Alex da Silva
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