Christmas in July (1940)

Directed by:	Preston Sturges
Written by:	Preston Sturges
Release date:	October 25, 1940
Running time:	1 hour, 7 minutes
Available on:	VHS DVD Blu-ray (TBR November 19th)

Christmas in July is a 1940 Paramount picture written & directed by Preston Sturges, based on his 1931 play A Cup of Coffee. It was Sturges' second film as writer-director, after The Great McGinty, and stars Dick Powell and Ellen Drew.

Synopsis

Dr. Maxford is thoroughly exasperated. He is supposed to announce on national radio the winners of a slogan contest for his Maxford House Coffee; the first prize is $25,000. Maxford's jury is deadlocked by the stubborn Mr. Bildocker. As a result, the program ends without an announcement.

One of millions of contestants, office worker Jimmy MacDonald dreams of winning, hoping to validate his faith in himself, provide some luxuries for his mother, and marry his girlfriend Betty Casey. Betty, among others, does not understand his slogan: "If you can't sleep at night, it's not the coffee, it's the bunk."

As a joke, three of his co-workers place a fake telegram on Jimmy's desk informing him that he has won. Jimmy's boss, J. B. Baxter, is so impressed, he promotes Jimmy on the spot to advertising executive, with his own office, a private secretary (Betty), and a raise. Tom Darcy, one of the pranksters, tries to clear things up before they go too far, but loses his nerve.

When Jimmy arrives to collect the check, Dr. Maxford assumes his committee finally reached a decision without informing him, and writes a check to Jimmy. Jimmy and Betty go on a shopping spree at Shindel's department store. After telephoning Maxford to confirm the check is good, Mr. Shindel gives Jimmy credit to buy an engagement ring for Betty, a luxury sofa-bed for his mother, and presents for all of their neighbors.

When the truth comes out, Shindel descends on Jimmy's street to try to repossess his merchandise. Maxford follows them and confirms Jimmy did not win. In the commotion, Shindel learns that Maxford's signature is genuine; instead of reclaiming the merchandise, he tries to force Maxford to pay for it. Tom and the other two pranksters admit they are to blame.

That night, Jimmy & Betty confess to Baxter. Betty's heartfelt plea persuades Baxter to let Jimmy try to prove himself and keep his promotion, although on a very short probationary period and with no raise. Meanwhile, Bildocker bursts into Maxford's office to announce that the other jury members have finally given in and accepted his choice for the grand prize winner: Jimmy.

Cast

Actor(s)/actress(es)	Character(s)
Dick Powell	Jimmy MacDonald
Ellen Drew	Betty Casey
Raymond Walburn	Dr. Maxford
Alexander Carr	Mr. Shindel
William Demarest	Mr. Bildocker
Ernest Truex	Mr. J.B. Baxter
Franklin Pangborn	Don Hartman
Rod Cameron	Dick
Michael Morris	Tom
Harry Rosenthal	Harry
Georgia Caine	Mrs. MacDonald
Ferike Boros	Mrs. Schwartz
Torben Meyer	Mr. Schmidt
Julius Tannen	Mr. Zimmerman
Alan Bridge	Mr. Hillbeiner
Lucille Ward	Mrs. Casey
Vic Potel	Davenola Salesman
Uncredited actors
George Anderson	Mr. Jenkins
Sam Ash Norah Gale Hazal Marshall Bob Mayo Eileen McAvoy Alice Thomas Dorothy Ward	Unknown Role(s)
Jane Buckingham	Miss Pettypass
James Conaty Sayre Dearing Barry Norton Cyril Ring Jack Shea Douglas Spencer Dale Van Sickel	Maxford's Office Co-Workers
Jimmy Conlin	Arbuster
Harry Hayden	Mr. Waterbury
Harry Hollingsworth Stanley Mack Ned Norton Frank O'Connor Gus Reed Robert Warwick	Jurors
Arthur Hoyt	Mild Juror
Arthur Hull	Cashier
Tiny Jones	Neighborhood Woman
Esther Michelson	Sophie's Mother
Frank Mills	Cabbie listening to radio
Charles Moore	Porter in Maxford's Office
Frank Moran	Patrolman Murphy
June Preston	Little Singing Blond Girl
Georges Renavent	Office Door Sign-Painter
Dewey Robinson	Large Juror
Sheila Sheldon	Sophie
C.L. Sherwood	Elevator Operator
Walter Soderling	Weary Juror
Larry Steers	Mr. Babcock
Kay Stewart Cheryl Walker	Secretaries
Preston Sturges	Man at shoeshine stand
Fred Toones	Sam
Pat West	Man with phone
Beal Wong	Chinese Man listening to radio

External link

• Christmas in July at the Internet Movie Database