Holiday (1938)
George Cukor, US 1938
Print source: UCLA Film and Television Archive, Los Angeles
Running time: 97 minutes
About the print
This rare sepia-toned print shows some vertical and horizontal streaking on the image due to processing chemicals that have improperly dried on the film. It may have been a rejected print. Nevertheless, the image underneath the color is quite extraordinary and demonstrates that toning in the sound era was neither uncommon nor inadvisable. Shrinkage: 1%
About the film
“One of the finest of the year on every count; should make plenty. This is a splendid picture and deserves laurels on every count. Direction, acting and dialogue are of the best, with the production certain to be rated among the most important of the year. George Cukor has given it skillful, sympathetic direction and has injected several human touches.”
– Film Daily, May 20, 1938
“Philip Barry’s play, Holiday, which in film form was a smash hit eight years ago in the depression’s depth, rises to box office heights as a recession remake. George Cukor has given it an up-to-the-moment directorial treatment, and the starring team of Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant provide attractive marquee persuasion. . . . Holiday is produced with so much spirit and spontaneity that the handicap of being a remake is unlikely to retard its popularity. It is handsomely mounted and stamped with fine technical work throughout. Possessing class and superlative entertainment qualities, it should move smoothly into the best first runs.”
– Variety, May 18, 1938
“Katharine Hepburn plays leading role of Linda Seton with the same emotional power that she displayed in Bill of Divorcement and Morning Glory. Her acting is of the highest order, and she combines with superb effect comedy and hysteria, depth of feeling and indifference. Cary Grant, who plays opposite the star once more, proves that he can portray a ‘straight’ role as competently and cleverly as his light comedy roles.”
– Daily Boston Globe, May 28, 1938