A Holly Jolly Comedy of Errors

Christmas Eve (1947 directed by Edwin L. Marin) is a light hearted comedy about a grand lady (Aunt Matilda played by Ann Harding) who adopted three sons and takes care of her nephew. When her adopted sons were grown, they went out into the world to make their own way. Jonathan became a rodeo star (Randolph Scott), Mario (George Raft) is complicated but we’ll say gangster, and Michael (George Brent) became a Casanova. Phillip (the nephew played by Reginald Denny) stayed behind to “take care of” Aunt Matilda. Now Phillip has decided that Aunt Matilda is crazy because she gives her money to those in need.

“I gave a great many poor children a dollar apiece for catching those rats. And they gave me this medal. It’s worth a half a million dollars to me.” (Aunt Matilda played by Ann Harding 6:53-7:04)

It is therefore decided that the Judge Alston (Clarence Kolb) must meet her three boys on Christmas Eve in order to make a final determination. Aunt Matilda gets the word out by asking the press to be involved. She also hires a private investigator to find the boys to make sure they make it. Quite honestly this is a bit of money to throw at a problem considering she isn’t even sure her boys are alive anymore.

Michael is the easiest to find as he is in town (even the nephew manages to find him!). Mario is in South America, and Jonathon proves to be the hardest to find. Each of the boys of course have things going on in their own lives. Whether anyone will make it for Christmas Eve is left all the way to the end! Let me tell you the punches never stop coming in this comedy!

Something I found heartwarming about this film was each boy tried to help in their own way as soon as they knew Aunt Matilda was in trouble. Aunt Matilda might be a little eccentric in how she spends her money but it is her money and she wants to help as many as she can. Her staff is competent and never waivers from her side. I am concerned that anyone would entertain the thought that someone behaving in a philanthropic manner would be labeled insane merely because of their age. This is a fantastic movie to watch during the holiday season. A reminder that kindness exists in the world, family is not defined by blood, and that no matter how things may look the important people will always have your back. I give this movie a 3 out of 5 simply because I feel the motivations behind the movie being called a comedy are suspect, and the ending. The acting is overdone is spots and the plot completely unbelievable in areas. Isn’t that also real life? The stuff that happens to each one of us that we say is stranger than fiction? So, I leave the writers to their artistic license, and instead blame them for not completing the movie.