Christmas in Connecticut

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Matthew D A cozy Christmas classic starring a charming Barbara Stanwyck! Director Peter Godfrey’s romantic screwball comedy film Christmas in Connecticut (1945) is a delightful holiday feature. Godfrey’s direction effortlessly goes from hysterical joke to joke into tender romantic scenarios. It looks like an old film noir, but with vibrantly cozy farm sets with the prettiest tinsel covered Christmas tree. Christmas in Connecticut is a wonderful picture that I’m sure I’ll rewatch as a Christmas classic. Writers Adele Comandini and Lionel Houser deliver tons of quaint and silly jokes for this screwball comedy. The romantic scenes get all these discussions about the virtues of married life as a housewife versus satisfaction from employment. Each character has a distinct personality and purpose for comedic effect. I think Aileen Hamilton’s original story is very clever in which a cooking columnist has to fake her farm life as a housewife for her boss and a sailor returning from the war. Barbara Stanwyck is quite funny as the hopelessly inept cook and popular writer Elizabeth Lane. Stanwyck feels made for screwball comedies besides her skill in film noir pictures as a femme fatale. She brings a sweetness and playfulness as Elizabeth alongside a zany humor. Dennis Morgan sings beautifully and is very helpful as the returning war hero sailor Jefferson Jones. He’s got romantic chemistry with Stanwyck as all their scenes are charming together. Sydney Greenstreet is amazing as the amiable and portly boss Alexander Yardley. He’s a riot like S.Z. Sakall’s skilled chef Felix Bassenak, who helps Stanwyck by cooking all the lavish meals. Reginald Gardiner is great as the stuffy bachelor John Sloan, who wants to marry Stanwyck, so he poses as her husband. Robert Shayne is excellent as the pushy editor Dudley Beecham. Una O’Connor’s ever complaining Irish maid and cook Norah is a scream. Frank Jenks is amusing as the affable sailor survivor Sinkewicz in the opener. Dick Elliott is a real laugh as Judge Crothers. Editor Frank Magee’s smooth editing keeps you in the moment, so the tension builds up the jokes and the romance is all the sweeter. Cinematographer Carl E. Guthrie’s shadowy wide shots look spectacular. Art director Stanley Fleischer’s stylish shadows and snow look so cozy for Christmas. Set decorator Casey Roberts’ lovely tree and holiday decorations look fabulous. Composer Friedrich Hollaender’s plucky film score really captivates. Every moment gets melodic accents to complement the comedy. Costume designer Edith Head crafts dazzling gowns for Barbara Stanwyck. Milo Anderson’s male outfits look snazzy. Makeup artist Perc Westmore does fancy looks for Stanwyck. Christmas in Connecticut is a swift and funny 102 minutes. It’s fit for families around the holiday. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/16/24 Full Review Alec B Extraordinarily silly but Stanwyck is always convincing Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/26/24 Full Review Amanda P Wonderful movie☺️👌 a real Christmas Classic. A definite must see 👏 Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/13/23 Full Review Blobbo X The lead guy lacks charisma and recognition - at least to Blobbo. Movie ok, upbeat, Christmassy. A comedy, or so I've heard. This could have been better with a different director and with actors of a more comedic bent. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/11/23 Full Review notchurjelly The kind of movie that gives you unrealistic relationship expectations, the kind you know in your mind are ridiculous but hope with everything in you that one day they might just happen. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/21/23 Full Review Stephen C LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Christmas in Connecticut

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