HOLIDAY FOR SINNERS

US, 1952, 72 minutes, Black and white.
Gig Young, Keenan Wynn, Janice Rule, William Campbell, Richard Anderson.
Directed by Gerald Mayer.

Holiday for Sinners is a brief supporting feature from MGM in the early 1950s. It is based on a novel by Hamilton Basso (View from Pompey’s Head) and written for screen by novelist A.I. Bezzerides (On Dangerous Ground, Thieves’ Highway, The Track of the Cat).

The setting is New Orleans at the time of Mardi Gras – with a lot of local colour, especially with celebrations and processions.

The film focuses on three childhood friends, Gig Young as a world-weary doctor who has the opportunity to go to India for research, but who is haunted by his father’s working for the poor. Keenan Wynn is a punch-drunk fighter. Richard Anderson is a local priest.

The drama of the doctor concerns his dealings with the fighter, trying to support him, as well as making his decisions to marry Janice Rule or go to India. Keenan Wynn is the punch-drunk fighter, often literally drunk, with an eye impediment who dreams of a comeback but wants to get money from a previous promoter. Richard Anderson is seen as administering the last sacraments to people in the slums, hoping to set up a clinic, going to the monsignor who refuses his application for the clinic. He has a crisis of conscience as to whether he should leave the church. The stories all come together when the boxer is shot, the doctor caring for him, the priest giving him the last sacraments. William Campbell is in support as a rather sleazy journalist.

There is some interest in the film, seeing the cast and their performances. Of interest is the portrait of a Catholic priest in 1952, his pastoral ministry, his hopes for work for the poor – and their being quashed by ecclesiastical bureaucrats.

1. The title? New Orleans? Mardi Gras? The characters – seen as sinners?

2. Black and white photography, recreation of New Orleans, the celebrations of Mardi Gras? The musical score?

3. The characters, their background from childhood, interactions in adult life?

4. The doctor, the background of his father working for the poor, his wanting to get out of the situation, being on call for people dying? His work at the hospital? The opportunity to go to India, research, discussions with the doctor? His love for Susan, wanting to marry her? The dilemma of going to India or staying with her? His encounters with Joe, trying to help him? The religious discussions with Victor? The final melodrama, Joe’s death, his attending – and his decision to stay in New Orleans and marry Susan?

5. Joe, punch-drunk, blind? His cadging money? His repeating himself? The visit to the doctor, the monkey and his being frightened? His wandering the town? Going to the promoter, wanting the money from him? The henchmen and their trying to get him? His going to the bar, the bartender and the confrontation? The encounter with Susan? His wandering the town, getting people to read the newspaper headlines? His joining in the celebrations – and his death?

6. Victor, a priest of the time? Administering to the sick? His articulation of the Latin prayers? His differences with Jason? The encounters with Joe? Wanting to build the clinic, wanting Jason’s help? Going to the monsignor, the discussions about what was prudent or not? His crisis of faith, considering leaving? In the cathedral at prayer? His anointing Joe? Finding his vocation again?

7. Danny Farber, after a good story, the encounters with Joe, the discovery of the money being owed, the set-ups, reporting, phoning the paper? Responsible for Joe’s death?

8. Susan, her work at the hospital, love for Jason? Her dominant mother, the dress for the ball? Going to the ball, Jason’s arrival, her decision to leave with him? To try to find Joe? Her encounter with Joe in the apartment? The happy ending?

9. The medical background, the doctor, the research in India?

10. The local background, the gangsters, the henchmen, following Joe, the violence – their going into the church? The police?

11. New Orleans society, symbolised by Mrs Corvier? Her trying to dominate her daughter? The daughter breaking free?

12. Popular ingredients for a brief supporting feature from the 1950s?