All I want for Christmas is you, Robert Mitchum!
Intro.
I have a long list of favorite holiday movies, as I'm sure most people do. But near the top of my list is one that I've never confessed to liking - Holiday Affair. I was talking in my last post about the corny nature of some Christmas films, and this one is no exception. I've never told anyone it's one of my absolute favorites mainly because I like to think of it as a sort of Christmas secret, maybe even a guilty pleasure. Sure it's corny and a bit silly, but still delightful. And really, how could I say no to a Mitchum romantic Christmas comedy?
Overview
Connie Ennis (Janet Leigh) is a war widow and mother who works as a comparison shopper. She purchases a train for her job from amiable sales clerk Steve Mason (Robert Mitchum) and takes it home overnight instead of straight to her office. Her six year old son Timmy (Gordon Gebert) peeks at it and is overjoyed, but his hope is shattered the next day when the package is returned. Unfortunately, Steve has figured out Connie's job, but lets her go without contacting the store detective. He then loses his job, but manages to take Connie to lunch. Steve is the most unusual person Connie's met; he's a generous, kind, free spirit who wants to build sailboats in California. He helps her finish her shopping and carries some of her packages home, but they get separated. Back home, Connie trims the Christmas tree with Timmy and her boyfriend Carl (Wendell Corey) but is interrupted when Steve finally finds her apartment and turns up with her packages. She has a lot of explaining to do, especially when Timmy takes a real shining to Steve that he hasn't taken to Carl in the two years Carl's been around. It doesn't help any that come Christmas morning, Steve sends an electric train to Timmy. What it comes down to is that the two men both propose to Connie and she must choose if she wants to take a chance on real love or take shelter in a life with a man she just likes a lot. But can Timmy adjust to the changes in his life and can Connie let go of the memory of her late husband and let herself be loved again?
Highlights
Another TCM back story: So Robert Mitchum hit a bit of a low point in 1948 when he was arrested and served a prison term for marijuana charges. When he got out, studios didn't really know what to do with him, leading to several unconventional roles for him. Howard Hughes saw to put him in this romantic comedy as it would help clean up Mitchum's image and establish him as a good guy. That's why Robert Osborne's line was so funny - he said the film stars the "last person you'd expect in a warm fuzzy Christmas movie." So true, but also so wonderful. Mitchum is cool and self-assured and definitely comes off as a "warm and fuzzy" sort of leading man.
What I really enjoyed about the film after viewing it again this year was the complexity of the relationships. I think I missed some of it in previous years, but Mitchum sums it up in one line. "It's not just two guys fighting over you. It's two guys, a woman and her husband." The film does focus on all the details of Connie's relationship with her son and how she sees her husband in Timmy. But even more interesting is how Connie's mother-in-law also takes that same line, remarking just how much Timmy still looks like his father. I think that aspect is what makes the film different from most feel-good romcoms: it isn't so much about two men fighting for a woman, but a woman having to decide whether or not she wants to make herself vulnerable again by giving in to love. I understand how she feels; she doesn't want to risk that massive heartache of losing someone again. It's touching and very human. I admire Janet Leigh a lot more each time I see this movie for just that reason.
Speaking of touching moments, you have to love Timmy in this movie. He is a scene-stealer for sure. His talk with Steve about how miracles don't happen (Steve convinces him that they do) is memorable, though not as good as what Timmy does later. On Christmas Day, Steve is arrested (it's a long and pretty funny story, but basically he gave his necktie to a homeless man who then used the tie to attack, gag and rob some other guy). Everyone comes to the courthouse to bail him out, and Timmy hears Steve admit that he's broke (he spent his last few dollars on Timmy's train). It doesn't seem to bother Steve, but it does bother Timmy. Timmy sets out the next day to take his train back to the department store for a refund. He walks all the way there and has a heck of a time trying to get the money back. He manages to get up to the President's office and as he is undeniably adorable (I mean, he's 6 years old and carrying a train set almost as big as he is), he is allowed to speak to Mr. Crowley. He gets his refund and a ride home to his worried-sick mother. It's a very selfless and grown-up thing to do, but more than that, it's the true spirit of Christmas. (I'm going to stop here before I get too mushy!)
Review and Recommendation
Holiday Affair may seem a bit silly and old-fashioned, but it has enough warmth and heart to make anyone's season bright. I recommend it as a good holiday romance film. So break out the popcorn and hot cocoa and enjoy!
