Holiday Affair (1949)

One of the lesser holiday movies, this 1949 comedy stars Janet Leigh as a war widow who can't afford to buy her son a toy train for Christmas. A veteran (Robert Mitchum) who happens to be standing by in a department store overhears her plight and offers to purchase the toy, thus setting into motion a series of funny complications. Wendell Corey plays Leigh's suspicious, condescending boyfriend, whose jealousy compounds Mitchum's problems, and Harry Morgan is very good as a night-court judge trying to make sense of everything that happens. The movie didn't do so well at the box office at the time of its release, but it has gained an affectionate fan base over the years. Don't expect Miracle on 34th Street, but as a spirited lark for Yuletide, this is a lot of fun. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

A Wonderful Little-Known Gem
I first saw part of this movie in the early 1990's when a TV channel was broadcasting it one weekend afternoon. I saw only the first 20 minutes, but had to leave for an appt. For the next couple of years I tried to find out the name of this movie and a VHS copy (I don't think DVD's were popular at the time). I finally found it in the mid to late 1990's and watched the entire movie. This is a fantastic movie. Other Christmas movies made during this time (1940's) overshadowed this one, but Holiday Affair is well worth it - even if it is STILL only available on VHS. Come on already - I wish some company would dub this over to DVD already!
--2006-12-11

Nostalgic Seasonal Low-Key Fun
Holiday Affair certainly does not top most folks' lists of great Christmas movies, but there is something about the sweet plot, the fantastic post-war holiday settings in New York City (including the seal fountain in Central Park), and the deft, comic performances of the leads that makes this one very enjoyable holiday classic.

I especially am fond of Wendell Corey's thankless role as Janet Leigh's lawyer suitor. He brings humor and understated charm to what is surely a difficult role, and even manages to generate some audience sympathy.

Harry Morgan's wide-eyed, incredulous night clerk, who hears increasingly strained (if true) explanations of the wild goings-on that brings everyone together in his courtroom on Christmas Eve, is also a treat. RIP Colonel Potter.
--2006-12-04

Robert Mitchum is great in this!
My son (age 20) and I watched this together when he was home at Thanksgiving - we both loved it. The setting of the film is 1949 so it shows a very different world when compared to today. That's part of the fun of watching it. The basic plot is one that has soul and touches the heart - nice this Christmas time of year. And to top it all off, I love Robert Mitchum. This movie is worth your time and money.
--2006-11-26

A HIDDEN GEM
I discovered this movie on cable in the middle of late afternoon and it turned out to be a real gem and had to buy it. The story takes place during the Christmas season and involves a widow who must chose between a well to do sensible gentlemen, or a dreamer and romantic whose a bit down on his luck. A lot of fun and so much better than the Christmas movies made today which are neither fun nor as entertaining as this little known romantic Christmas classic.
--2005-12-31

Holiday Affair classic Christmas film
The editorial review of this film is incorrect in its plot summary. Janet Leigh plays a widowed mother working as a "secret shopper" purchasing items from rival department stores to make comparisons. Robert Mitchum plays the clerk in the toy department where Janet Leigh purchases a train set. From there things get delightfully complicated when she brings home the train set where her son sneaks a forbidden peek at a gift he hopes is for him. Wendel Corey plays the condescending fiance who turns out OK considering his outcome. Without giving too much more away, this is a really great film for the Christmas season.
--2005-12-17

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