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      Christmas in July

      Released Oct 18, 1940 1h 7m Comedy List
      95% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 77% Audience Score 500+ Ratings When the coworkers of Jimmy MacDonald (Dick Powell) play a prank and trick him into thinking that's he's won the grand prize money in a slogan contest for a coffee company, he is thrilled and makes plans to marry his sweetheart, Betty Casey (Ellen Drew). To everyone's surprise, the coffee company owner, Dr. Maxford (Raymond Walburn), also falls for the prank and awards the prize check to Jimmy. Eventually the ruse is discovered, jeopardizing Jimmy and Betty's newfound happiness. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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      TIME Magazine Produced for a paltry $325,000, it once again gives the lie to the arbitrary Hollywood assumption that a film's quality is in direct proportion to its cost. Dec 5, 2008 Full Review Variety Staff Variety A mildly diverting programmer, Christmas in July lacks both the overall spontaneity and entertainment impress of Sturges' first picture. Nov 13, 2007 Full Review Time Out Minor but delightful Sturges comedy. Feb 9, 2006 Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills There’s no space here to extol the individual glories... Jul 31, 2023 Full Review Mattie Lucas From the Front Row A breeze to watch, and Sturges packs the brief running time with plenty of his trademark wit, skewering corporate vanity and overconfident male bluster in equal measure. Rated: 3/4 Jan 4, 2020 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy A delightful effort worth watching on Christmas Day, Independence Day, and even Arbor Day. Rated: 3.5/4 Nov 30, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Valquria G Me surpreendeu de verdade 🤩🤩 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/25/23 Full Review andy m This one got lost in the mad, brilliant run of Sturges' 1940-47 winning streak but it is no less significant than any of them and is, in fact, better than some (Unfaithfully Yours, Hail The Conquering Hero). Ellen Drew and Dick Powell are joined at the hip in almost every scene and they make a very agreeable coupe. At under 70 minutes it has a breezy air about it, despite the skewering of slogans, popularity contests and corporate America at the centre of the plot. Sturges directs with an impish, creative eye and there is a surrealism to some of the shots and setups here that would not be seen again. Plus it has those wonderful stock company of actors Demerest, Pangborn, Conlin, etc.) popping in to kick every scene up a notch. Unjustly ignored. On YouTube. Watch it. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Matthew R A really cute and hopeful movie! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/03/22 Full Review Audience Member Lovely film, me gustò màs que Lady Eve. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member The best comedy movie ever made! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member In some ways, I feel Christmas in July may be my favourite Preston Sturges picture. Its short, to the point, and wonderfully told. Its about a day dreaming contest participant Jimmy MacDonald, who thinks he can make it big by entering contests. His girlfriend Betty is by his side, regardless of his many losses. When his co-workers play a little prank and send him a telegram saying he`s won, he goes on a huge shopping spree, and even has the President of the contest fooled. What follows is a quaint and enjoyable little comedy with a lot of themes of perception and ambition, and it works quite well. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Photos

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      Christmas in July

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis When the coworkers of Jimmy MacDonald (Dick Powell) play a prank and trick him into thinking that's he's won the grand prize money in a slogan contest for a coffee company, he is thrilled and makes plans to marry his sweetheart, Betty Casey (Ellen Drew). To everyone's surprise, the coffee company owner, Dr. Maxford (Raymond Walburn), also falls for the prank and awards the prize check to Jimmy. Eventually the ruse is discovered, jeopardizing Jimmy and Betty's newfound happiness.
      Director
      Preston Sturges
      Producer
      William LeBaron
      Screenwriter
      Preston Sturges
      Distributor
      Paramount Pictures
      Production Co
      Paramount Pictures
      Genre
      Comedy
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Oct 18, 1940, Original
      Release Date (DVD)
      Nov 21, 2006
      Runtime
      1h 7m
      Sound Mix
      Mono
      Aspect Ratio
      35mm, Flat (1.37:1)