Holiday (1938)

 George Cukor's "Holiday"


George Cukor's 1938 film "Holiday" finds Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn reuniting after their on-screen dynamism of Howard Hawks' screwball comedy "Bringing Up Baby" from the same year. When Columbia pictures first purchased the rights of the film from the Broadway production, they had in mind to re-team Grant with his "The Awful Truth" co-star Irene Dunne. However, Hepburn was selected, as she had been the understudy for the part during its Broadway run. It's a good thing Hepburn secured the role, because I believe that she shines far more brightly with this performance as a free-spirited socialite than Dunne ever could have.

The film centers on a wealthy family, in which one of the two daughters, Julia, plans to marry Johnny Case, a self-made man who has worked all his life. He manages to woo the entire family, including vivacious elder sister Linda. However, his plans to take a holiday from work after he secured enough funds. This disgruntles both his bride-to-be, along with her father. However, it peaks the interest of Linda, who advocates for him. Both Linda and Johnny believe that there is more to life than securing wealth, much to the disagreement of Julia and her father. In the end, Linda runs away with Johnny.

On paper, "Holiday" is a guaranteed smash success. However, in actuality, it failed at the box office. Many contend the reason for this failure, some even speculating that Katharine Hepburn became 'box office poison.' There are many that believe that Johnny's plan to quit working rubbed a lot of people still struggling from the aftermath of the Great Depression the wrong way, as many were still struggling to find jobs. 

Regardless of the film's commercial success, the film was hailed by critics as some of Cukor's best direction and Hepburn's finest performances. I would have to agree, as I felt the film really had a firm grip on the economic anxieties at the time. One critic, Kate Cameron, felt the screenplay implied a 'contest between a young New Dealer and an Old Reactionary." I believe this resonates, as many felt the idea of 'hoarding' funds for a future was a more Old Reactionary approach the American economic system, while Johnny and Linda's 'hard work' and 'living life' outlook pointed more to the New Dealer perspective. 

Overall, the film is still considered a classic of Old Hollywood. It is one of George Cukor's most notable films and a fine pairing between Hepburn and Grant. 



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