HOLIDAY
US, 1930, 91 minutes, Black and white.
Ann Harding, Mary Astor, Edward Everett Horton, Robert Ames, Hedda Hopper, Monroe Owsley.
Directed by Edward H. Griffith.
Holiday had a good reputation amongst the films of 1930, getting Oscar nominations for performance for Ann Harding as well as for writing. One of the 10 top films for National Review.
The film has the atmosphere of the pre-Code films, a more explicit look at marriage, relationships, tensions.
It has the familiar theme of the young man falling in love, not realising his fiancee was wealthy, the pressure from her father for him to continue to make money, his wanting time off so that he could find himself. Mary Astor is the fiancee, initially sympathetic, a character getting harder as the film went on. Robert Ames is the amiable suitor – to die the following year aged 42. Ina Claire has top billing as the sister who feels oppressed by her dominating father, is supportive of her sister and her rather ne’er-do-well brother, sympathetic to the ambitions of the young man and his sense of freedom.
The background of the film is American affluence at the time of the Depression, scenes in wealthy homes, Society parties. Significant in the cast is Edward Everett Horton prior to his fussy friend or butler roles, but having a great deal of dialogue. Later gossip writer, Hedda Hopper is also in the cast.
The film was remade by George Cukor in 1938 with Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant heading the cast.
1. A celebrated film of 1930, one of the Natural Review? Oscar nominations?
2. A play transferred to the screen? Dialogue? Confined sets? Musical score?
3. The title, Julia and her meeting John, John and his long-term ambitions, have time for himself, discover himself…? Julia and her reaction against this “holiday�? Her father? Linda and her support?
4. The affluent settings, the building, the apartment, lavish appointments, party sequences? Church? Wedding rehearsals?
5. Julia and John, their meeting, falling in love, Julia not telling John about her wealth, in the elevator, the apartment, meeting Linda and Ned, the announcement by Julia? The strategy for talking to their father in church? Whispering, the choir, the plate and collection?
6. Mr Seton, his business background, appreciation of money, ambitions for his children, his domination of them? The interview with John, favourably impressed, wanting to give him a job? The throwing of the party, his decision, Julia support, Susan Potter and the organisation?
7. The contrast with Linda, unhappy at home, the clashes with her father, support for Julia, support for Ned, his drinking, leaving work early? The dominance of their father? Linda and the offer of the party – but in the nursery room upstairs? The taking over the invitations, her not turning up to the party, upstairs? The Potters and their discussions? Nick, his jokes, his telling stories and parables? John coming upstairs, comfortable with Linda? Julia and her father coming, the confrontation, John wanting some independence, his going downstairs?
8. John and his giving in, Julia and her dominance, the wedding rehearsal? Nick to be best man?
9. John and the preparation for the marriage, his staying away, revealing his plan to Linda and the others? Revealing it to Julia, not believing him, wanting to get married, her father setting the date?
10. John, his packing, Linda helping him, Linda urging Julia to stop him going to the boat? Julia and her haughtiness, refusal? Her father support? Linda confronting her, for her to admit that she did not love John? Linda and her hurrying to the boat?
