The Holly and the Ivy (1952) - Classic Christmas Archive
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On Christmas Eve a scatterbrained widower parson's relatives once again return for the holidays, carrying the weight of personal grievances and life choices that maybe could result in emotional fireworks. A lot of the angst derives from Martin Gregory's (Ralph Richardson, a rich performance but his age of the time perhaps lending less credibility to the role of an aging priest at retirement age with adult children) "career in religion", where his Army son, Michael (Denholm Elliot), who got "compassionate leave" to spend 48 hours at home, and "fashion journalist" younger daughter, Margaret (Margaret Leighton), who almost didn't come home due to specific problems she felt would be frowned upon, often served as a topic of discomfort. Michael and Margaret (and Margaret's godfather, Richard (Hugh Williams), too) don't necessarily believe in God, so "frailties of the flesh" (drinking and/or visits to the pub, pre-marital relations and pregnancy because of it) might serve as a bone of contention between them and their father. Meanwhile Martin's older daughter, Jenny (Celia Johnson, "Brief Encounter"), is in love with David (John Gregson), about to leave for South America on a work project. Jenny secretly pines to marry David and he doesn't understand why she must continue to see after her father, often all over the place and absent minded. At first arriving without Margaret, Richard gives the family news of her dealing with the flu. Eventually Margaret reluctantly makes the visit but distractions of the past continue to plague her, leaving her beset by depression and emptiness...the American she fell in love with died in the war and her child died of meningitis. Jenny confronts her about her attitude and distance while Martin eventually approaches her about the past she has been hesitant to unveil to him. A trip to a pub and return home later serves as a catalyst where Michael and Margaret chat with their father to air certain grievances where he feels as if he failed them, taken aback by how his career as a parson left them unwilling to open up to him. Jenny won't consider leaving her father unless Margaret would be willing to replace her.
At just 83 minutes (and I was surprised at how the film just flies by), this character drama set on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, is an actor's showcase. You could see why it was a successful play. There's an honesty in the dialogue and back-and-forth conversations that address personal/religious issues that have often undercut serious relationships between a parson and his children. Jenny attempting to reach Margaret, confronting her about her behavior since returning while away in London, realizing a lot has happened once the truth is revealed & Martin broaching the obvious discord that keeps Margaret from confiding in him are two of the film's most memorable scenes. And Aunt Lydia (Margaret Halstan), the sister of Martin, and Aunt Bridget (Maureen Delaney), the sister of Martin's late wife, joining the family for Christmas Eve prove to be quite a colorful pair. Lydia married in wealth and encourages Jenny and David to follow through with marriage, not to avoid happiness. Bridget, a stern, abrupt, bitter, sharp-tongued spinster, was in Jenny's position and decided to look on after her mother until she was middle-aged and alone. Lydia and Bridget, although quite fond of each other, couldn't be more different due to how each took a different path in life and their outlook reflects that. Lydia is more fanciful when talking about love and life choices while Bridget is angry and icy. While Bridget is forthcoming about her regret, how it led to her cantankerous state, while Lydia has experienced the delights of love...their differences only serve as a compass for Jenny to evaluate. Richardson's performance-no surprise-is exceptional as the parson unyielding in remaining true to his profession while acknowledging the appeals of the outside world. And he's always willing to "talk it out". Yes, he is a religious man who isn't afraid to mention Christ and discuss his beliefs with those who might not share them, but he also has great sympathy and affectionate heart for those in need of such. Martin and Margaret "rekindling" what had seemed lost is especially poignant, as she comes to help her father get dressed before he is to sermonize at their church's Christmas service, letting David tell Jenny, in their own way, she is "released". The dialogue isn't overt all the time, often with characters (like Margaret and Richard, supposedly a "heathen" who is anything but saintly, although he's very cordial and respectful, fond of Martin even if he doesn't believe as he does) subtle and evasive (when two people know each other they don't have to elaborate in detail what each other means) instead of outright honest in all respects. While very much a Christmas movie (the holy and ivy are even part of a hymn sung harmoniously at the beginning with Jenny decorating the lodging of her father with great attention to the spirit of the season), it is also a smart, sophisticated family drama that doesn't go for melodramatics. The entire cast is just a pleasure to watch. Highly recommended if you get the chance to see it during the holiday season.
At just 83 minutes (and I was surprised at how the film just flies by), this character drama set on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, is an actor's showcase. You could see why it was a successful play. There's an honesty in the dialogue and back-and-forth conversations that address personal/religious issues that have often undercut serious relationships between a parson and his children. Jenny attempting to reach Margaret, confronting her about her behavior since returning while away in London, realizing a lot has happened once the truth is revealed & Martin broaching the obvious discord that keeps Margaret from confiding in him are two of the film's most memorable scenes. And Aunt Lydia (Margaret Halstan), the sister of Martin, and Aunt Bridget (Maureen Delaney), the sister of Martin's late wife, joining the family for Christmas Eve prove to be quite a colorful pair. Lydia married in wealth and encourages Jenny and David to follow through with marriage, not to avoid happiness. Bridget, a stern, abrupt, bitter, sharp-tongued spinster, was in Jenny's position and decided to look on after her mother until she was middle-aged and alone. Lydia and Bridget, although quite fond of each other, couldn't be more different due to how each took a different path in life and their outlook reflects that. Lydia is more fanciful when talking about love and life choices while Bridget is angry and icy. While Bridget is forthcoming about her regret, how it led to her cantankerous state, while Lydia has experienced the delights of love...their differences only serve as a compass for Jenny to evaluate. Richardson's performance-no surprise-is exceptional as the parson unyielding in remaining true to his profession while acknowledging the appeals of the outside world. And he's always willing to "talk it out". Yes, he is a religious man who isn't afraid to mention Christ and discuss his beliefs with those who might not share them, but he also has great sympathy and affectionate heart for those in need of such. Martin and Margaret "rekindling" what had seemed lost is especially poignant, as she comes to help her father get dressed before he is to sermonize at their church's Christmas service, letting David tell Jenny, in their own way, she is "released". The dialogue isn't overt all the time, often with characters (like Margaret and Richard, supposedly a "heathen" who is anything but saintly, although he's very cordial and respectful, fond of Martin even if he doesn't believe as he does) subtle and evasive (when two people know each other they don't have to elaborate in detail what each other means) instead of outright honest in all respects. While very much a Christmas movie (the holy and ivy are even part of a hymn sung harmoniously at the beginning with Jenny decorating the lodging of her father with great attention to the spirit of the season), it is also a smart, sophisticated family drama that doesn't go for melodramatics. The entire cast is just a pleasure to watch. Highly recommended if you get the chance to see it during the holiday season.
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First time I ever watched this was last December 26th. Great movie, most pleasant surprise. English character drama, phenomenal cast.
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