Well, after watching 1949's "Holiday Affair", I'm convinced of just one thing - Robert Mitchum was clearly not suited for Rom/Coms. No way. Believe me, Mitchum was utterly wasted here, playing a Romeo-type to Janet Leigh's Juliet.In my opinion - There are only 3 genres of film where Robert Mitchum's charm and screen-charisma really stands out. And those genres are Westerns, Film Noir and War pictures.So, to cast this rugged dude in this fluffy, dead-end, "dud-of-a-Rom/Com" was the biggest mistake that this film's producers could have ever made.Another big strike against "Holiday Affair" was the unwelcome attention and screen-time that was given over to Janet Leigh's character. I sure got sick & tired of her "sweet-as-cherry-pie", single-mother shtick, real fast.I seriously think that we could have done with a lot less of Leigh, and, maybe, a lot more of Mitchum making a total fool of himself, playing a menial store-clerk at Crowley's Department Store, plugging toys to gullible kids.Anyway - Even though "Holiday Affair's" story was set (in NYC) during the festive, "Yuletide Season", it certainly didn't succeed in putting this dissatisfied viewer into the Christmas spirit. No way. Not even for a minute..... (Bah! Humbug!)

"Holiday Affair" isn't a film that ranks with the traditional Christmas classics – "A Christmas Carol," "Miracle on 34th Street," "White Christmas" or "It's a Wonderful Life." But, it is an interesting and heartwarming story from a time when many people found Christmas observance difficult. The film came out on Christmas Eve, 1949, but was set around Christmas of 1947. World War II had been over just two years. While the American and world economies were in recovery, many people were still struggling personally. Especially those who had lost loved ones in the war. Many returning GIs were struggling to make it in the work place. So, it is very much a Christmas film of a special time in history.The movie is based on a story by John D. Weaver, "Christmas Gift." It has just the right mix of drama, romance and comedy woven around a Christmas setting. Janet Leigh plays Connie Ennis, a war-widow for two years. She has a 6 1/2-year-old son, Timmy (played by Gordon Gebert). He had never seen his father. They call each other Mrs. Ennis and Mr. Ennis. Wendell Corey is a young attorney and friend, Carl, who wants to become more than Connie's friend. But, she can't let go of the memories of her dead husband so she can move on with her life. Robert Mitchum plays Steve Mason. He's a five-year war veteran himself. After the war, he worked on a ship going to South America. Since then, he's been in New York working, and he nearly has enough money saved for his dream plans on the West Coast. He wants to design and build sailing boats. Steve enters the story by chance while working as a sales clerk in the toy department of one of the big department stores. Connie comes to buy an electric train that Steve is demonstrating. She has the exact amount and wants to take it with her now. Steve spots her for what she is – a comparison shopper (aka, spy for another store). She'll buy the train then bring it back the next day. He should report her to the store detectives, but he doesn't. That sets the stage for the rest of the film that involves comedy, romance and endearing actions by little Timmy. One can guess how it turns out, but it's still much fun to watch as the romance unfolds. The cast are all very good, and the direction and technical production are excellent. It isn't so much a stretch having this couple fall for each other in a very short time as it is Connie falling for Steve at all. Because Mitchum plays his role in his most comfortable and familiar persona as someone who isn't terribly excited about romance or anything else. He says he loves her, but he doesn't emote that love. That was an avowed characteristic of Mitchum's acting persona. Leigh gives more life and reality to her role. But, Timmy will capture one's heart for sure, and it's a happily ever after movie. "Holiday Affair" has two very funny, memorable scenes. The first is an exchange between Steve and Carl after they meet in Connie's apartment. While she's fixing them a drink they stand with their backs to the fire and exchange single lines of general talk. It's a very clever sketch, and very funny. The second is a longer scene toward the end in a police court with Harry Morgan as the police lieutenant. It involves Steve, Carl, Connie, the lieutenant and uniformed and plain clothes cops. It's hilarious and one of the funniest court scenes I've ever seen in the movies.Here's a little trivia. Comparison shoppers worked on the sly for large stores until the mid to late 20th century. It was one way retail businesses had to know what their competition was doing. They could alter their prices to draw more shoppers and sales. With the spread of television stations and sets after 1950, stores no longer needed these secret spies. In time, technology advances also led to the evaporation of other retail jobs such as floorwalkers and store detectives. Incidentally, Robert Mitchum was 24 when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He was one of a handful of actors who didn't rush off to enlist in the Armed Forces. But, he did wind up serving a short stint in the Army when he was drafted in early 1945. The war was nearly over and he never had to leave the States. From April 12 to Oct. 11, 1945, he served as a medic in California. My dad was in the medical corps and served in Europe. After the war ended there, he was assigned to the West Coast. He met Mitchum in a bar one night, and knew who he was. Mitchum was short on cash, so my dad gave him $10 and Mitchum wrote him a check. Needless to say, dad never cashed that check, but carried it in his billfold for years to show people after he told them the story.This is an enjoyable movie with a heart-warming story and a nice cast of popular stars of the time. It also has considerable historical value. It shows a slice of life for many thousands of families who were personally and emotionally affected by the war for many years afterward.

Delightful Christmas romantic comedy about a widowed single mother (Janet Leigh) who gets a toy store clerk (Robert Mitchum) fired and thus begins their bumpy road to romance. It's a very special movie, underrated in many ways. The performances are all earnest and authentic. The script is smart, funny, and heartwarming without being cloying. Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh are both great and have a wonderful, believable chemistry together. Child actor Gordon Gebert is adorable. His performance feels very real, though I suspect some of that is accidental. What I mean is sometimes the actor seems to stumble over lines in such a way it doesn't seem like acting. Instead of being a flaw, however, it actually works. His infectious enthusiasm in the role certainly helps. So the question remains how much is intentional on his part and how much is just serendipity. Either way, the end result is an enjoyable performance that feels legit compared to most overly-precocious child actors. Wendell Corey is really good in a well-written role. The 'also-ran' guy in romantic comedies is usually pretty clichéd. This one is a genuinely nice, dependable guy who, like so many nice guys, just can't compete with handsome dreamers like Mitchum. It's a terrific film with a lot going for it. It never talks down to you or plays with your emotions in a cheap way. It's just a very genuine, mature romance story about characters who feel like real people not movie 'types.'

This movie is a must see every Christmas. It's charm is due in large part to actor Gordon Gebert, who plays Timmy Ennis. There are movies that are good, but you just hate the kids. For example Mitchum's son in River of No Return or the boy in Last Action Hero. Were they the producer's nephews? You just don't like them and it taints the movie. Gebert however is as lovable as Peter Billingsly (Ralphie) in Christmas Story.While Mitchum was terrific as always, I was also very impressed with Wendell Corey's performance and wry wit. His "Is that so?" scene with Mitchum was genius.The writing was excellent. If I had to find a flaw with this film, it would have to be the directors reluctance for retakes. There were scenes where Timmy did flub a line or two, but were left in.