Holiday (1938)

     "...again turns in a smooth performance of the type that has made him one of Hollywood's most-sought-after leading men."

With Katharine Hepburn.

Holiday - Review is taken from 'The Films of Cary Grant' by Donald Deschner (1973):

"When Philip Barry's Holiday was produced on Broadway in 1928, Hope Williams took the comedy's outstanding role, that of Linda Seton.  Her understudy was an unknown, inexperienced actress named Katharine Hepburn.  For two years Miss Hepburn marked time offstage, waiting for her chance. It never came.  In 1930 the play was filmed.  This time Ann Harding was Linda.  Now Columbia's refilming of Holiday gives Katharine Hepburn her first chance at the coveted role that seems made to order for her.  

The first screen Holiday was an almost literal transcription of the play.  The modern version, brilliantly adapted by Donald Ogden Stewart and Sidney Buchman, is equally faithful, forwarding its slight story almost entirely by conversation.  But it is superb conversation - part of it Barry's own, the rest brought up to date with significant and satiric topical allusions.  

Directed by George Cukor, the story resolves the triangle with an intelligence and penetrating humor that gives an excellent cast a field day.   Henry Kolker, Lew Ayres, Jean Dixon, and Edward Everett Horton are outstanding in lesser roles; Cary Grant again turns in a smooth performance of the type that has made him one of Hollywood's most-sought-after leading men.  

It is more to the point that Katharine Hepburn gives one of the most successful characterizations of her screen career.  Several weeks ago the Independent Theatre Owners Association attacked a batch of high salaried stars which it considered on the skids to oblivion.  Miss Hepburn was one of them.  At the time, Jack Cohn, vice-president of Columbia, rallied to her defense.  Now he is turning the association's attack to his own ends.  The advertising campaign for Holiday will sound one note across the country - "Is it true what they say about Hepburn?" Judging from the film, the producer knew the answer in advance.

- Newsweek

New Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36 -
Number 31 - Holiday (Lobby Card Style)

Part Of

For more, see also:

On This Day 15 June 2020

On This Day 15 June 2021

Quote From Today 14 June 2022

Quote From Today... Holiday (1938)

 "I don't call what I've been doing living."

With Katharine Hepburn.

Holiday was Cary Grant's 31st full length feature film.

Johnny Case: I don't call what I've been doing living.

Linda Seton: And what do you recommend for yourself, doctor?

Johnny Case: A holiday.

Linda Seton: For how long?

Johnny Case: As long as I need.

Linda Seton: You mean just to play?

Johnny Case: No. I've been working since I was 10. I want to find out why I'm working. It can't just be to pay bills and pile up more money. Even if you do, the government's going to take most of it.

Linda Seton: But what is the answer?

Johnny Case: I don't know. That's what I intend to find out. The world's changing out there. There are a lot of new, exciting ideas running around. Some may be right and some may be cockeyed but they're affecting all our lives. I want to know how I stand, where I fit in the picture, what it's all gonna mean to me. I can't find that out sitting behind some desk in an office, so as soon as I get enough money together, I'm going to knock off for a while.

"Lights, camera...action!" - The Directors - Part 4

So there were four directors who worked with Cary Grant on three films each.

They were, Marion Gering, George Cukor, Leo McCarey and George Stevens.

Marion Gering:

19th June 1901 - 19th April 1977

Devil and the Deep (1932)

With Charles Laughton and Tallulah Bankhead.

Madame Butterfly (1932)

With Sylvia Sidney

Thirty-Day Princess (1934)

Again with Sylvia Sidney

George Cukor:

7th July 1899 - 24th January 1983

On Grant -"One of the reasons he was so successful as an actor was that he truly just behaved like he was a normal guy and like he didn't look like that."

Sylvia Scarlett (1936)

With Katharine Hepburn.

Holiday (1938)

Again with Katharine Hepburn.

The Philadelphia Story (1941)

With George Cukor, John Howard and Katharine Hepburn.

George Cukor was awarded an Oscar for Best Director for The Philadelphia Story. He also directed many Oscar nominated performances.

Leo McCarey:

3rd October 1898 - 5th July 1969

The Awful Truth (1937)

Publicity shot with Irene Dunne and Leo McCarey.

Leo McCarey won the Oscar for Best Director.

Once Upon A Honeymoon (1942)

With Ginger Rogers.

An Affair to Remember (1957)

With Deborah Kerr.

George Stevens :

18th December 1904 - 8th March 1975

Gunga Din (1939)

On the set of Gunga Din (above) relaxing and (below) with George Stevens.

Penny Serenade (1941)

On set of the film that bought him his first Oscar nomination.

The Talk of the Town (1942)

With George Stevens, Jean Arthur and Ronald Colman.

Four directors completed two film projects each with Cary Grant...

..."Lights, camera...action!" - The Directors - Part 5

On This Day...Holiday (1938)

Today in 1938, saw the release of Cary Grant's 31st full length feature film, Holiday.

This was his 3rd film with leading lady Katharine Hepburn, playing the role of Linda Seton.

The title of the film when released in Great Britain was  Free to Live, Unconventional Linda.

The story is about a restless Johnny Case (Grant), wanting to take time out and see the world

He becomes engaged to Julia Seton(Doris Nolan) who tries to make him conform, unlike her sister Linda (Hepburn), who falls in love with him.

Based on a Broadway play by Philip Barry.

Newsweek wrote - "Cary Grant again turns in a smooth performance of the type that has made him one of Hollywood's most-sought-after leading men.

It is more to the point that Katharine Hepburn gives one of her most successful characterizations of her film career."

Cary Grant's acrobatics seemed to have rubbed off on Katharine Hepburn.

They were both known for doing their own stunts. Hepburn thought her double didn't have the correct deportment.

With Jean Dixon, Katharine Hepburn, Lew Ayres and Edward Everett Horton.

Lobby Cards:

Directed by George Cukor

Distributed by Columbia Pictures

Running time: 94 minutes

What's In a Name...Change?

So we know that Cary Grant was a name change from Archie Leach.

But did you know that there have been other name changes connected with Cary Grant?

Six films of Cary Grant had title changes for the UK market.

When You're In Love (1937) had the title changed to, For You Alone.

The Amazing Quest of Ernest Bliss (The Amazing Adventure 1937) had its title changed to Romance and Riches.

Holiday (1938) was changed to a much longer title, Free to Live, Unconventional Linda.

The Howards of Virginia (1940) reverted to the title of the novel it was based on, 

The Tree of Liberty.

(Novel artwork)

The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer (1947) became titled Bachelor Knight.

 

I Was a Male War Bride (1949) was re-titled to, You Can't Sleep Here.

"Oh, We Ought to Learn That...!"

In 1918, when Archie Leach joined the Bob Pender Troupe his contract stipulated, not only his weekly salary, along with room and board, but also that he should have training for his profession and dance lessons.

Cary Grant is seen dancing in numerous films with the likes of Ginger Rogers, Ingrid Bergman and Sophia Loren and others.

Of all the dance sequences, my favourite has to be the Eightsome Reel from the 1958 fim, Indiscreet.
Starring alongside Ingrid Bergman, this dance, shows off Cary Grants natural acrobatic ability and timing.

If you haven't seen it or just want to enjoy it again, use the link below.

Behind the scenes rehearsals, with Ingrid Bergman...You can only imagine the fun!

With Ginger Rogers (Monkey Business 1952)

With Sophia Loren (Houseboat 1958)

With Katharine Hepburn (Holiday 1938)

With Joan Fontaine (Suspicion 1941)