Holiday Affair (1949)

"Still engaged in commercial espionage, I see."

Connie Ennis (Leigh) is a war widow, with a young son, Timmy (Gebert).  To make ends meet, she works as a comparison shopper for a department store in New York.  While visiting Crowley's department store, she purchases a train set from salesman Steve Mason (Mitchum).  That evening Timmy peeks inside the box and is overjoyed, believing the the train is his Christmas present.  His joy is short-lived when he learns the box is for Connie's work.

Connie returns to Crowley's the next day to return the train, but is caught by Steve.  Steve gives her a full refund, but loses his job as a result.  The spend the rest of the day together and sparks fly.  That evening Steve meets Timmy and Connie's boyfriend, Carl Davis (Corey), a lawyer.  Carl wants a future with Connie and proposes.  Steve encourages Timmy to dream and kisses Connie.

On Christmas day, nothing goes as Connie planned.  Is she finally ready to find love and happiness again?

This film is based on John D. Weaver's story "Christmas Gift".  It was considered a failure at the time, but found new life as a minor Christmas classic thanks to repeated television airings and Turner Classic Movies (TCM).

The Good:

The cast.  Robert Mitchum often played tough guys in movies, but was cast here to revamp his image.  He is a solid romantic lead here.  And his character is in stark contrast to Wendell Corey's straight-laced Carl.  Janet Leigh is good as the female lead.

The story is fine, similar in many ways to Miracle on 34th Street (kid with a widowed parent, encouraged to believe/dream beyond their practical parent, etc). 

The Bad:

The character of Timmy can be grating - the actor is fine, but there are grating moments.

Other Comments:

-The court scene, with Harry Morgan as the judge, is hilarious.

-The film is ok - enjoyable while you watch it, but not overly memorable.  I would definitely watch it again, but it probably won't make the rotation of my annual Christmas movie watch lists.

Holiday Affair (1949) 87 minutes

Director: Don Hartman

Starring: Robert Mitchum as Steve Mason

Janet Leigh as Connie Ennis

Wendell Corey as Carl Davis

Gordon Gebert as Timmy Ennis

Griff Barnett as Mr. Ennis

Esther Dale as Mrs. Ennis

Henry O'Neill as Mr. Crowley

Harry Morgan as Police Lieutenant