Holiday (film)

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Movie
Original title Holiday
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 1930
length 98 minutes
Rod
Director Edward H. Griffith
script Horace Jackson
production EB Darr for Pathé Exchange, Inc
camera Norbert Brodin
cut Daniel Mandell
occupation

Holiday is an American comedy film from 1930 starring Ann Harding and Mary Astor directed by Edward H. Griffith . The film is based on the Broadway play of the same name by Philip Barry and earned Ann Harding the only nomination for an Oscar for Best Actress . The plot was remade in 1938 under the direction of George Cukor .

action

The wealthy Julia Seton falls in love with the lawyer Johnny Case, who has bright prospects but is currently rather short of money. Julia sees Johnny as her future husband and the Seton family welcomes their future member benevolently. A deep friendship quickly develops between Johnny and Linda, Julia's older sister, who is more interested in music and is politically liberal. Both agree that money alone does not make you happy and that everyone should strive to follow their dreams. A rift breaks out between Johnny and Julia when he announces that, despite bright future prospects, he will give up his profession in order to find his calling as an artist. Johnny plans to go to Europe for some time with his friends Nick and Susan Potter. Shortly before leaving, he changes his mind and decides to work in his profession for another three years before finally making a decision. But the Setons' constant attempts to determine his life and to push it in a direction that he does not think is right, ultimately lead to a final break with Julia. Together with Linda, Johnny sets out to lead a life far away from convention and etiquette.

background

Ann Harding had achieved fame in the 1928 play The Trial of Mary Dugan on Broadway, but lost the role in the film adaptation to Norma Shearer . In 1929 Harding finally signed a lucrative contract with Pathé Studios, which guaranteed her $ 2,000 weekly fee and a say in the scripts. Already with her debut, the film adaptation of the comedy Paris Bound by Philip Barry under the direction of Edward H. Griffith , Harding managed to rise to one of the top stars of the talkie . With the film adaptation of Holiday , a play also penned by Philip Barry, which brought it to 229 performances from November 1928 to June 1929, Harding returned to the world of salon comedy after some highly dramatic roles. Initially, Ina Claire was slated for the role of the free spirit Linda Seton, but the shooting of The Awful Truth was delayed, so that in the end Harding, directed by Edward H. Griffith, took over the part. Filming was very difficult for Mary Astor , as her husband had only recently been killed in a plane crash. Ann Harding and Edward H. Griffith were to work together twice more: in 1932 on The Animal Kingdom , the new film adaptation of a Philip Barry comedy, and in 1935 on Biography of a Bachelor Girl .

The costumes were designed by Gwen Wakeling .

The original was remade in 1938 with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant under the direction of George Cukor . For the female lead, Irene Dunne was initially planned before Cukor was able to prevail with his choice for Hepburn. Irene Dunne, who was dying to play the role of Linda Seton, later admitted the cancellation was the biggest professional disappointment of her entire career.

Awards

Holiday received nominations in the categories at the 1931 Academy Awards

In addition, the film was selected by both the Film Daily and the New York Times in the selection of the ten best films of 1930. The National Board of Review even named Holiday Best Film of the Year.

criticism

The reviews for the film were excellent, with Ann Harding's play in particular receiving unanimous praise. The New York Times found:

The film producers have managed to turn a good piece into a good film. [Ann Harding] is graceful ... [...].
From what was generally regarded as a good play, the film producers have managed to make a good picture .... [Ann Harding] is graceful .. [...].

Sources and further reading

Scott O'Brien: Ann Harding: Cinema's Gallant Lady , BearManor Media, New York 2010, ISBN 1-59393-535-8

Web links