CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1945)

Film of the Day #223 - 25 Days of Christmas Movies #2

Dec 02, 2023

CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT
1945 • Peter Godfrey
Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet, Reginald Gardiner, S.Z. Sakall, Robert Shayne, Una O'Connor, Frank Jenks, Joyce Compton, Dick Elliott
Screenplay: Lionel Houser, Adele Comandini; Story by Aileen Hamilton
Cinematography: Carl E. Guthrie
Music: Frederick Hollander; "The Wish That I Wish Tonight" (song), music and lyrics by Jack Scholl and M. K. Jerome
Producer: William Jacobs

Warner Bros.

Maybe scarlet fever. It's a better color for Christmas.

In Christmas in Connecticut, Barbara Stanwyck is Elizabeth Lane, a Martha Stewart-like writer for a housekeeping magazine that writes the most amazing recipes every month. Dennis Morgan plays Jefferson Jones, a war hero who has never had a “traditional, family Christmas.” And Sydney Greenstreet is Alexander Yardley, the stubborn and influential publisher of Lane’s magazine whose idea it was to make sure Jones gets a traditional Christmas holiday as a guest in Lane’s home in Connecticut. Only one problem: Lane is a fraud. She lives in New York City, can’t even make toast, and gets all her recipes from her loveable chef/uncle Felix. To make matters worse? Yardley’s holiday plans have fallen through and now he insists on spending it with Lane and her fictional family in her fictional home. Fortunately (?) for Elizabeth, her architect friend and admirer has offered his home as the stage for her charade, on one condition, that she’ll finally accept his many offers of marriage proposals. But when Jones arrives at the cozy Connecticut house, Lane is immediately smitten.

It’s obvious from the beginning where the story and comedy will take you. In fact, if you were to think the plot sounds like a bad Hallmark movie, I wouldn’t blame you. But where the movie succeeds is in the extreme charm of Barbara Stanwyck as Lane. She exhibits wonderful comedic timing, and the audience is really pulling for her to pull this charade off, while at the same time rooting for her to get together with Dennis Morgan’s sailor. If your introduction to Stanwyck was via Double Indemnity (which makes sense as its her most famous role) this performance will seem like such a departure. But in truth, Stanwyck did many romantic comedies like Ball of Fire, Meet John Doe, Remember the Night and The Lady Eve. Stanwyck demonstrates impeccable comedic timing in general, but she’s really funny in this film.

The chemistry between Stanwyck's Lane and Dennis Morgan's character is nothing short of captivating. Their on-screen dynamic is a delightful dance, creating sparks that make you smile. Dennis Morgan is a big part of that equation. As Jefferson Jones, Morgan brings a boyish charismatic presence that perfectly complements Barbara Stanwyck's dynamic Elizabeth Lane. He’s a blend of charm, wit, and genuine warmth, making it easy for audiences to connect with and root for his character. It’s weird to me that Morgan doesn’t have a larger legacy with more memorable films.

The film boasts a remarkable supporting cast, including Sydney Greenstreet delivering a standout performance as the pompous Alexander Yardley. Greenstreet was well known for his seedy roles in classics like Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon, but he effortlessly transitions into a comedic role in Christmas in Connecticut, showcasing his versatility as an actor. As Yardley, he embodies the perfect blend of arrogance and humor, adding an extra bit of entertainment to the film. Equally noteworthy is S.Z. Sakall's portrayal of the affable Uncle Felix. Sakall, known for his endearing characters, brings a delightful charm to the screen. Uncle Felix's endearing butchering of the English language becomes a whimsical trademark, creating moments of genuine laughter. His butchering of the English language is balanced by his cooking and matchmaking skills as he tries to cook up a romance between Lane and Jones. His schemes to ensure that Sloan and Lane never tie the knot are all pretty amusing. Sakall showcases his ability to seamlessly blend humor with heart, contributing significantly to the ensemble cast's success in Christmas in Connecticut. Reginald Gardiner has the thankless task of playing John Sloan, the man Lane has agreed to marry in exchange for helping her out of a jam. Gardiner needs to be opportunistic and kind of boorish, but not completely unlikeable, and he does a fine a job here. Even my arch nemesis Una O’Connor keeps her hamminess under wraps for the most part. Also, I like when she says “I don’t flip them. I scoop them.” I don’t know why, it just comes off as funny.

The film is definitely of its time, with perhaps some outdated ideals. But it is certainly a charming, holiday film. Or as Uncle Felix might say… “Everything is hunky dunky.”