I always watch a Christmas movie sometime in August. Maybe
it’s just being tired of the heat; or that old wishing it was winter in the
summer and vice versa thing. We humans are rarely ever fully satisfied with our
current lots in life; always looking for what we don’t have rather than fully
enjoying what we do have at the time. It’s just who we are.
This is one of the quirkiest Christmas movies ever made; as it
takes place in July. Preston Sturges; arguably one of the greatest film directors
ever; is in rare form in this film. Dick Powell and Ellen Drew, two young
lovers, play a couple with no money but with big dreams.
When Jimmy MacDonald enters a contest for an advertising
slogan he has high hopes. And when he is notified that he has won, and can now marry
his true love Betty Casey, all should end well. But, this is a Preston Sturges
movie, and it’s never that simple; ever.
Jimmy enters the contest with the Maxford Coffee Company and
his co-workers decide to have a bit of fun with him. They send him a telegram
that says he has won the prize of $25,000. He now believes he has enough to
marry his girlfriend; as well as buy extravagant gifts for his friends and
neighbors.
In reality though the coffee company is deadlocked on their
selection and as Jimmy goes deeper and deeper into debt; with no money
forthcoming; what will become of all his hopes and dreams? Will he be branded
as a fraud in the heat of the summer; or will he bask in the warmth of a
Christmas like miracle in July?
I simply will not reveal the ending of this
film, which is one of Preston Sturges best cinematic creations. You’ll just
have to see it for yourself.
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