Musical headliners Deanna Durbin and Gene Kelly take a walk on the noir side in this in this offbeat assembled drama in which a hint of the lead is nowhere to be found ten minutes in. Enter movie musical superstar of her day Durbin and eventually famed hoofer Kelly as her heel husband. He's doing life for murder and she's trying to put her past behind her by changing her name and singing in a bordello. Recounting her story to a weather bound military officer the film in flashback tells of a disturbed son and domineering mother ( played with stoic abandon by Gail Sondergaard) deceiving her.
Kelly offers interesting offbeat but Durbin warbling a couple of tunes lacks the fatale chops to amp up the desperation. Director Robert Siodmak speaks film language in his typical eloquent fashion but the circuitous opening and deus ex machina finale works against whatever is commendable between it. Christmas Holiday is not much of a gift.
Kelly offers interesting offbeat but Durbin warbling a couple of tunes lacks the fatale chops to amp up the desperation. Director Robert Siodmak speaks film language in his typical eloquent fashion but the circuitous opening and deus ex machina finale works against whatever is commendable between it. Christmas Holiday is not much of a gift.