Rewind, Review, and Re-Rate: ‘Holiday’: A Charming Romantic Comedy

(L– R) Julia Seton (Doris Nolan), Johnny Case (Cary Grant), and Linda Seton (Katharine Hepburn), in “Holiday.” Columbia Pictures

1938 | Not Rated | 1h 35m | Comedy, Romance

Director George Cukor’s breezy yet insightful romantic comedy titled “Holiday” is about a holiday of the more leisurely kind, rather than of the seasonal variety. And although it has the same co-stars (Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn) as 1938’s delightful “Bringing Up Baby” (directed by the great Howard Hawks), this film’s humor is much subtler.

Grant stars as Johnny Case, an energetic fellow who has worked many a job since he was 10 years of age. While on a holiday in Lake Placid, a quaint little settlement in northern New York (and the first vacation he’s ever taken in his life), he meets pretty young Julia Seton (Doris Nolan) and the two quickly fall in love.

The lovebirds agree to marry as soon as possible. However, Julia must first seek the permission of her hard-edged, overprotective, and very wealthy father, Edward Seton (Henry Kolker).

(L–R) Linda Seton (Katharine Hepburn) looks on as Johnny Case (Cary Grant) is “interviewed” by Seton family patriarch Edward Seton (Henry Kolker), in “Holiday.” Columbia Pictures

A little later in New York City, Johnny goes to meet Julia at her lodging, which happens to be the palatial Seton family estate. Since Johnny doesn’t know that Julia comes from a wealthy background, he asks his cab driver, “What’s this?” and then adds: “I guess she must work here,” as he hops out of the car.

Instead of going directly through the front door, Johnny walks around to a side gate and knocks on the kitchen door. There, he is ushered in by one of the servants, who begins to guide him through the mansion to Julia. “Judas!” Johnny loudly exclaims as he enters the sprawling, high-ceilinged main foyer, complete with dual winding stairways, crystal chandelier, and ornate candelabras.

The servant walks Johnny to an elevator that takes him up to the second floor, where he is told that Julia is awaiting his arrival in one of the larger rooms of the estate. As Johnny leaves the elevator and peers at the top of the stairway leading down to the main foyer he was just in, he remarks “I could have walked.”

Johnny Case (Cary Grant) and Julia Seton (Doris Nolan) are lovebirds, in “Holiday.” Columbia Pictures

When Julia finally greets Johnny, it is quite evident that the sparks of romance are still very much alive. But it also becomes clear that there is somewhat of a class difference between them, when Julia begins to lightly criticize his funky bowtie and haircut.