MovieChat Forums > Christmas in Connecticut (1945) Discussion > Loved it

Loved it

posted 18 years ago by Miro101
8 replies | jump to latest

Today I saw the film for the first time; it was on TCM. (Thank God for TCM.) I had always assumed, based on the sentimental-sounding title, that "Christmas in Connecticut" was a heart-warming melodrama. I resisted it; I wasn't eager to have my heart warmed in a rustic setting.

Was I ever wrong. I was delighted to find that the film is, instead, a raucous and convention-bucking screwball comedy. As the Martha Stewart-like domestic maven who can write a beautiful sentence but actually knows nothing about home and hearth, Barbara Stanwyck gives a wonderfully dizzy performance. And she's abetted by a terrific supporting cast, including "Cuddles" Sakall and Syndey Greenstreet. I loved it. Blessedly, there's not a hint of traditional Christmas sentiment in the whole film. But with Stanwyck very openly jonesing for the handsome Dennis Morgan, it's very sexy. (Lest I sound like a Scrooge, I'd like to add that I also enjoy more conventional Christmas fare like "Miracle on Thirty-Fourth Street.")

[–] rachel70802002 16 years ago

I watch this movie every Christmas. It is one of my favorites.

[–] alexaastrologer 16 years ago

It's been my favorite for probably more than 50 years, ever since I saw it on TV in the 1950s. It's a wonderful film.

[–] sloanrules 14 years ago

I just saw it too and agree its is very funnny and zany, one of the funniest Chmas movies ever, i could watch it over and over ... more ppl need to know about this movie ....

[–] Percivalx 14 years ago

Just saw it too for the first time and liked it a lot. Stanwyck, as always, is great in the lead. So were the supporting characters.

"Let us be crooked, but never common."

[–] smrhyne-1 14 years ago

If this movie doesn't get you in a Christmas mood, nothing will. It even has a one-horse open sleigh!

[–] nutsberryfarm 10 years ago

great holiday flick!

Season's Greetings!

[–] Rheli 10 years ago

Very subversive. Nobody here, save Felix (the chef) is really a good person. Virtually everyone has some major flaws. Liked it a whole lot.

[–] jmatrixrenegade 9 years ago

Not sure what the "major flaw" of the serviceman is -- yes, he decided to string his nurse along some, but it isn't a typical situation when you just came off being at sea for over two weeks in a raft. Where you gave up the last of your food.

I think various films of that era could be seen as "subversive" in that fashion -- the characters often had flaws. But, I thought the movie really really dragged myself. The great cast didn't change that problem. You know where this film is going, which is fine, but dragging it along hurts it.