Christmas Specials Wiki
Christmas Specials Wiki
9,552 Pages
Add new page
in:
Released in the 1940s, Movies, Christmas in July,
and 4 more

Changes: Christmas in July (1940)

Back to page
Edit
Share
(Adding categories)
Line 1: Line 1:
  +
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Christmas in July'' (1940)}}
 
{{Title
  
{{Title
−
|image=[[File:ChristmasInJuly.jpeg|thumb|340x340px]]
 +
|image=ChristmasInJuly.jpeg
−
|director=Preston Sturges
 +
|director={{w|Preston Sturges}}
−
|writer=
 +
|writer=Preston Sturges
−
|release=October 18, 1940
 +
|release=October 25, 1940
 
|runtime=1 hour, 7 minutes
  
|runtime=1 hour, 7 minutes
  ⚫
|available=}}
−
|rating=
  
  ⚫
'''''Christmas in July''''' is a 1940 Paramount picture written & directed by {{w|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.
⚫
|available=
  
⚫
}}
  
⚫
'''Christmas in July''' is a 1940 comedy film written and 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.
  
   
−
==Plot==
 +
==Synopsis==
 
Dr. Maxford (Raymond Walburn) 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 (William Demarest). As a result, the program ends without an announcement.
  
Dr. Maxford (Raymond Walburn) 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 (William Demarest). As a result, the program ends without an announcement.
   
Line 24: Line 23:
   
 
==Cast==
  
==Cast==
  +
{|class=wikitable
⚫
*Dick Powell as Jimmy MacDonald
  
  +
!Actor(s)/actress(es)!!Character(s)
⚫
*Ellen Drew as Betty Casey
  
  +
|-
⚫
*Raymond Walburn as Dr. Maxford
  
  ⚫
|Dick Powell||Jimmy MacDonald
⚫
*Alexander Carr as Mr. Shindel
  
  +
|-
⚫
*William Demarest as Mr. Bildocker
  
  ⚫
|Ellen Drew||Betty Casey
⚫
*Ernest Truex as J. B. Baxter
  
  +
|-
⚫
*Franklin Pangborn as Don Hartman, the radio announcer
  
  ⚫
|Raymond Walburn||Dr. Maxford
−
*Harry Hayden as E. L. Waterbury, Jimmy's office manager
  
  +
|-
⚫
*Rod Cameron as Dick, a co-worker
  
  ⚫
|Alexander Carr||Mr. Shindel
−
*Adrian Morris as Tom Darcy, a co-worker
  
  +
|-
⚫
*Harry Rosenthal as Harry, a co-worker
  
  ⚫
|William Demarest||Mr. Bildocker
⚫
*Georgia Caine as Mrs. Ellen MacDonald
  
  +
|-
−
*June Preston as Mrs. Ellen MacDonald's daughter
  
  ⚫
|Ernest Truex||Mr. Baxter
⚫
*Ferike Boros as Mrs. Schwartz
  
  +
|-
⚫
*Torben Meyer as Mr. Schmidt, a Shindel's employee
  
  ⚫
|Franklin Pangborn||Don Hartman {{s|(Radio Announcer)}}
⚫
*Julius Tannen as Mr. Zimmerman
  
  +
|-
−
*Al Bridge as Mr. Hillbeiner, a jewelry salesman at Shindel's
  
  ⚫
|Rod Cameron||Dick
⚫
*Lucille Ward as Mrs. Casey
  
  +
|-
−
*Kay Stewart as Maxford's secretary
  
  +
|Michael Morris||Tom
⚫
*Victor Potel as Davenola salesman
  
  +
|-
  ⚫
|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
  +
|-
  +
|George Anderson {{s|(uncredited)}}||Mr. Jenkins
  +
|-valign=top
  +
|Sam Ash {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Norah Gale {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Hazal Marshall {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Bob Mayo {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Eileen McAvoy {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Alice Thomas {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Dorothy Ward {{s|(uncredited)}}||''Unknown Role(s)''
  +
|-
  +
|Jane Buckingham {{s|(uncredited)}}||Miss Pettypass
  +
|-valign=top
  +
|James Conaty {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Sayre Dearing {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Barry Norton {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Cyril Ring {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Jack Shea {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Douglas Spencer {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Dale Van Sickel {{s|(uncredited)}}||Maxford's Office Co-Workers
  +
|-
  +
|Jimmy Conlin {{s|(uncredited)}}||Arbuster
  +
|-
  +
|Harry Hayden {{s|(uncredited)}}||Mr. Waterbury
  +
|-valign=top
  +
|Harry Hollingsworth {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Stanley Mack {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Ned Norton {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Frank O'Connor {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Gus Reed {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Robert Warwick {{s|(uncredited)}}||Jurors
  +
|-
  +
|Arthur Hoyt {{s|(uncredited)}}||Mild Juror
  +
|-
  +
|Arthur Hull {{s|(uncredited)}}||Cashier
  +
|-
  +
|Tiny Jones {{s|(uncredited)}}||Neighborhood Woman
  +
|-
  +
|Esther Michelson {{s|(uncredited)}}||Sophie's Mother
  +
|-
  +
|Frank Mills {{s|(uncredited)}}||Cabbie {{s|Listening to Radio}}
  +
|-
  +
|Charles Moore {{s|(uncredited)}}||Porter in Maxford's Office
  +
|-
  +
|Frank Moran {{s|(uncredited)}}||Patrolman Murphy
  +
|-
  +
|June Preston {{s|(uncredited)}}||Little Singing Blond Girl
  +
|-
  +
|Georges Renavent {{s|(uncredited)}}||Office Door Sign-Painter
  +
|-
  +
|Dewey Robinson {{s|(uncredited)}}||Large Juror
  +
|-
  +
|Sheila Sheldon {{s|(uncredited)}}||Sophie
  +
|-
  +
|C.L. Sherwood {{s|(uncredited)}}||Elevator Operator {{s|(Ending)}}
  +
|-
  +
|Walter Soderling {{s|(uncredited)}}||Weary Juror
  +
|-
  +
|Larry Steers {{s|(uncredited)}}||Mr. Babcock
  +
|-valign=top
  +
|Kay Stewart {{s|(uncredited)}}<br>Cheryl Walker {{s|(uncredited)}}||Secretaries
  +
|-
  +
|Preston Sturges {{s|(uncredited)}}||Man at Shoeshine Stand
  +
|-
  +
|Fred Toones {{s|(uncredited)}}||Sam
  +
|-
  +
|Pat West {{s|(uncredited)}}||Man with Phone
  +
|-
  +
|Beal Wong {{s|(uncredited)}}||Chinese Man {{s|(Listening to Radio)}}
  ⚫
|}
  +
  +
==External link==
  +
* {{Imdb title|0032338|Christmas in July}}
 
[[Category:Released in the 1940s]]
  
[[Category:Released in the 1940s]]
 
[[Category:Movies]]
  
[[Category:Movies]]
Line 49: Line 120:
 
[[Category:Paramount Pictures]]
  
[[Category:Paramount Pictures]]
 
[[Category:1940 releases]]
  
[[Category:1940 releases]]
  +
[[Category:Romance movies]]
  +
[[Category:Comedy Movies]]

Revision as of 17:59, 18 July 2019

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 (Raymond Walburn) 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 (William Demarest). As a result, the program ends without an announcement.

One of millions of contestants, office worker Jimmy MacDonald (Dick Powell) dreams of winning, hoping to validate his faith in himself, provide some luxuries for his mother (Georgia Caine), and marry his girlfriend Betty Casey (Ellen Drew). 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 (Ernest Truex), 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 and 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. Baxter
Franklin Pangborn Don Hartman (Radio Announcer)
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
George Anderson (uncredited) Mr. Jenkins
Sam Ash (uncredited)
Norah Gale (uncredited)
Hazal Marshall (uncredited)
Bob Mayo (uncredited)
Eileen McAvoy (uncredited)
Alice Thomas (uncredited)
Dorothy Ward (uncredited)		 Unknown Role(s)
Jane Buckingham (uncredited) Miss Pettypass
James Conaty (uncredited)
Sayre Dearing (uncredited)
Barry Norton (uncredited)
Cyril Ring (uncredited)
Jack Shea (uncredited)
Douglas Spencer (uncredited)
Dale Van Sickel (uncredited)		 Maxford's Office Co-Workers
Jimmy Conlin (uncredited) Arbuster
Harry Hayden (uncredited) Mr. Waterbury
Harry Hollingsworth (uncredited)
Stanley Mack (uncredited)
Ned Norton (uncredited)
Frank O'Connor (uncredited)
Gus Reed (uncredited)
Robert Warwick (uncredited)		 Jurors
Arthur Hoyt (uncredited) Mild Juror
Arthur Hull (uncredited) Cashier
Tiny Jones (uncredited) Neighborhood Woman
Esther Michelson (uncredited) Sophie's Mother
Frank Mills (uncredited) Cabbie Listening to Radio
Charles Moore (uncredited) Porter in Maxford's Office
Frank Moran (uncredited) Patrolman Murphy
June Preston (uncredited) Little Singing Blond Girl
Georges Renavent (uncredited) Office Door Sign-Painter
Dewey Robinson (uncredited) Large Juror
Sheila Sheldon (uncredited) Sophie
C.L. Sherwood (uncredited) Elevator Operator (Ending)
Walter Soderling (uncredited) Weary Juror
Larry Steers (uncredited) Mr. Babcock
Kay Stewart (uncredited)
Cheryl Walker (uncredited)		 Secretaries
Preston Sturges (uncredited) Man at Shoeshine Stand
Fred Toones (uncredited) Sam
Pat West (uncredited) Man with Phone
Beal Wong (uncredited) Chinese Man (Listening to Radio)

External link

Retrieved from "https://christmas-specials.fandom.com/wiki/Christmas_in_July_(1940)?oldid=144682"
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.