Page 30 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 107

30 Issue #107 December 2021
In Reel Time
Christmas Follyday
By Nikolai Adams
f you’ve delved into the world
Iof film noir, you’ve likely seen a
number of unusual ones.
. . some may be set in other
countries, or in a winter wonderland
(a far cry from the expected asphalt
jungle that is Los Angeles), even a
nuclear bomb can be found in a mid
50s example. . . yet one set during the
holiday season? That’s right, 1944’s
Christmas Holiday, directed by the
great Robert Siodmak (Phantom
Lady; Criss Cross), might mislead a
few with its title (but more on that
later).
A vehicle for two very unexpected
stars for this type of picture, Deanna
Durbin (a name perhaps less known
today), was a child actor turned
girl next door who is often credited
with helping save Universal Studios
during the Great Depression. Close
to bankruptcy, the teenage star took
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the world by storm, her musical
numbers a massive draw in features
like Three Smart Girls (at the age of
only 14) and One Hundred Men and
a Girl, it all leading to an Academy
Juvenile Award in 1938. Her first
role in which she attempted to
break out of this child-like ingenue
typecasting, you might be able to
guess that there were many who
were shocked and unimpressed by
this new Durbin. Opposite her was
Mr. Singin’ in the Rain himself,
Gene Kelly, playing against type
(by today’s standards), much like
his female co-star.
Less a Christmas Holiday and
more of a Christmas Leave from the
military, Lt. Charles Mason (Dean
Harens) has had his heart broken
by the love of his life. . . his fiancée
marrying another bloke just a few
short days before he was to return
for their own ceremony. Deciding to
return to San Francisco nonetheless
(whether for revenge or pleading we
ear!
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do not know), nasty weather forces his left cheek that disrupts seeming
the airplane he is taking to land in perfection. From a renowned,
New Orleans. wealthy family that is slowly losing
A bundle of sorrowful frustration, its grasp on power, you can see why
he bumps into fast talking, shady – Manette a warped man, his name
journalist Simon Fenimore (Richard and status making him believe that
Whorf). . . a man who rolls in the he can endlessly gamble, using only
wrong circles, but has a surprisingly his charm to get out of any sticky
kind heart. Trying to help the guy situation. Being quite up front
forget his woes, he takes him to with this woman, he takes her to
a bustling (and perhaps sketchy) his ‘supposed’ past life – a smoky
nightclub – the singer on stage, nightclub where she first meets wily
Jackie Lamont (Durbin), a young Fenimore. . . and later introduces
woman wearing a little black dress her to his domineering mother (Gale
and looking equally as sullen as our Sondergaard) – who gives them her
supposed lead. blessing.
Latching on to the military man Living with the mother in the
(a prime example of misery loving family home, everything takes a turn
company), they head to midnight when Manette returns late one night,
Christmas mass, where she breaks as charming as ever, yet with some
down. With nowhere to go, Mason bizarre stains on his pants and quite
invites her to sleep in the living area the wad of money. Resetting back
of his hotel room, where she finally to present time to remind us of our
reveals her sordid story. place, another flashback continues
Her stage moniker hiding her the story, only for everything to
given name of Abigail Manette, she lead to a climax that will intertwine
is still married to murderer Robert everything together in a rather neat
Manette (Kelly) – who finds himself way.
behind bars for life. Flashing back A film noir fused with a
easily
stars
both
and transporting the story away melodrama,
from the Lt. and to the real narrative accomplish playing against type,
(an intriguing and somewhat Durbin as somber as the night, still
unexpected plot device), we are now in love and not able to let her past
entrenched in the wooing found in a go. She is heartbreaking, tragic, and
burgeoning relationship. ultimately sympathetic – a noir dame
It is really no surprise that the not for her trickery, but rather for
young woman falls for Manette. . her absolute beholden nature to her
. all charming fun and boyish grin, vile husband. Kelly, the effervescent
the only warning, a small scar on
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