Holiday **** (1930, Ann Harding, Mary Astor, Edward Everett Horton, Robert Ames, Hedda Hopper) – Classic Movie Review 12,468

‘An astonishing drama of double life and double love!’

Director Edward H Griffith’s delightful 1930 American pre-Code romantic comedy film Holiday stars Ann Harding, Mary Astor, Edward Everett Horton, Robert Ames, and Hedda Hopper.

It is the engaging and lively first version of Philip Barry’s play about a rebellious young man, with a free-thinking lifestyle, clashing with his New York society fiancée and her wealthy family. It is most entertaining, with two or three performances that are arguably even better than in the famed 1938 remake Holiday with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant.

Horton plays Professor Nick Potter both times. Ann Harding, Mary Astor, Hedda Hopper and Monroe Owsley are all very welcome, especially the young Mary Astor, appearing in charismatic turns, the script is witty and amusing, and Griffith’s direction is nimble and sprightly.

The 1930 film Holiday is a forgotten little gem, with an Oscar nominated performance by a forgotten star.

It was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Ann Harding) and Best Writing, Adaptation. it is Harding’s only Oscar nominated performance.

It was produced and released on July 3, 1930 by Pathé Exchange.

It was adapted by Horace Jackson from the 1928 play by Philip Barry. The Broadway production opened at the Plymouth Theatre on November 26, 1928 and ran for 229 performances.

Monroe Owsley, who plays Ned Seton, is the only member of the play’s original Broadway cast to recreate his role in the film. However, Katharine Hepburn, who understudied Hope Williams as Linda Seton in the original stage show, plays the character in the 1938 remake.

The cast are Ann Harding as Linda Seton, Mary Astor as Julia Seton, Edward Everett Horton as Nick Potter, Robert Ames as Johnny Case, Hedda Hopper as Susan Potter, Monroe Owsley as Ned Seton, William Holden (character actor) as Edward Seton, Elizabeth Forrester as Laura, Mabel Forrest as Mary Jessup, Creighton Hale as Pete Hedges, Hallam Cooley as Seton Cram, Mary Forbes as Pritchard Ames.

American character actor William Holden (22 May 1862 – 3 March 1932) appeared in more than 16 films from 1920 to 1931.

Ann Harding was born Dorothy Gatley on August 7, 1902 and died on September 1, 1981. She was signed by Pathé and made her debut with Fredric March in Paris Bound (1929). She became a star but by 1933 her popularity started to decline. She quit films in 1937 when she married conductor Warner Janssen, but came back five years later in Eyes in the Night (1942). In 1956 she appeared again with Fredric March in The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956). She continued to appear on TV in the 1960s and died aged 79 in 1981.

It is in the public domain. The Internet Archive has a complete, glitch-free print with soft but watchable video and good audio.

© Derek Winnert 2023 – Classic Movie Review 12,468

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