Rent Holiday Affair (1949)

A Quiet Yuletide Detour - Holiday Affair review by griggs

The thing about Holiday Affair is how determined it is to behave itself. As Christmas romances go, it keeps everything tidy and polite, sticking close to the studio playbook. Janet Leigh starts off buying a toy train for “research,” and from that moment the film gently suggests you stop worrying about the details and enjoy the ride.

Robert Mitchum strolls through with an easy, unforced charm that makes you wonder why Hollywood didn’t let him do more of this. The tough-guy roles may have paid the bills, but he’s entirely at home playing someone open, steady, and quietly decent. Leigh handles the emotional beats, though the script does expect her to change direction rather abruptly — a familiar feature of these brisk holiday productions.

What won me over was the film’s tone. It’s warm without tipping into syrup, and self-aware enough to keep the sentiment in check. There’s a dry humour tucked into the corners, as if the film knows exactly what it can do and sticks to it. Holiday Affair may not be essential festive viewing, but it’s pleasant company — and far easier to live with than many of its louder seasonal neighbours.