Christmas Holiday (1944) Film in Color — Colorized — Starring Deanna Durbin & Gene Kelly

Christmas Holiday (1944) — Buy This Classic in Color

Own a beautifully restored version of Christmas Holiday (1944) in colour — a darkly atmospheric film noir thriller disguised as a festive feature. Directed by Robert Siodmak and starring Deanna Durbin alongside Gene Kelly in one of his most unusual roles, this classic film is now available as a premium digital download. Originally shot in black and white, every frame has been carefully colorized in HD so you can experience this haunting wartime drama with vivid new depth.

The Story

On Christmas Eve, young soldier Lieutenant Charles Mason (Dean Harens) is stranded in New Orleans when bad weather grounds his flight home. Seeking distraction, he wanders into a dimly lit nightclub called La Bonne Chance, where he encounters a mysterious singer named Jackie Lamont (Deanna Durbin). Behind her composed stage presence lies a woman shattered by grief and trapped in a nightmare she cannot escape.

Through a series of gripping flashbacks, Jackie — whose real name is Abigail Martin — reveals the story of her ill-fated marriage to Robert Manette (Gene Kelly), a charming young man from a wealthy New Orleans family. What began as a passionate romance quickly darkened when Robert’s true nature emerged: a manipulative, emotionally volatile criminal whose family’s wealth concealed a legacy of violence. After Robert is arrested and convicted of murder, Abigail’s world collapses entirely. She retreats into the nightclub, singing under an assumed name, haunted by her love for a man she knows is dangerous.

Director Robert Siodmak, drawing on his German Expressionist background, crafts an uneasy atmosphere where Christmas decorations contrast with psychological terror. The film builds toward a tense climax as Robert escapes from prison on Christmas Day, forcing Abigail to confront the man she both loves and fears. Adapted from a W. Somerset Maugham story, Christmas Holiday is a deeply unconventional seasonal film — less about goodwill and celebration than about obsession, denial, and the difficulty of breaking free from destructive love.

Cast & Crew

• Deanna Durbin as Jackie Lamont / Abigail Martin
• Gene Kelly as Robert Manette
• Richard Whorf as Simon Fenimore
• Dean Harens as Lieutenant Charles Mason
• Gladys George as Valerie de Merode
• Gale Sondergaard as Mrs. Manette
• David Bruce as Gerald Tyler
• Director: Robert Siodmak
• Runtime: 93 minutes
• Year: 1944
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• IMDb Score: 6.5/10

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally restored and colorized version transforms the visual atmosphere of Christmas Holiday. The warm glow of holiday candles in the church scenes, the smoky amber tones of the New Orleans nightclub, the rain-slicked streets at night, and the lush green of Louisiana foliage all come alive with carefully applied colour. Robert Siodmak’s trademark chiaroscuro lighting — deep shadows slashed by shafts of light — gains a richer, more immersive quality when presented in color while preserving the noir tension of the original black and white cinematography.

When Christmas Holiday was released in 1944, it stunned audiences who expected another cheerful Deanna Durbin musical. Instead, Siodmak delivered a brooding psychological thriller that showcased Durbin’s untapped dramatic range. Gene Kelly, before becoming Hollywood’s most celebrated musical star, gives a chilling performance as a charming psychopath — a role entirely unlike anything he would play again. The film’s daring tonal contrast between festive settings and dark human impulses makes it a fascinating wartime curiosity and one of the most underrated film noir entries of the 1940s.

Buying this restored classic movie means you own a piece of cinema history — no subscriptions, no expiry dates, no restrictions.

What You Get

• Original Format: Black and white (1944), professionally colorized
• Resolution: HD 720p
• File Format: MP4 / MKV
• Running Time: 93 minutes
• Language: English
• Delivery: Instant download link on-screen and sent to your email after purchase
• Price: €15.00
• License: Personal, non-commercial use
• DRM-Free: Play on any device — TV, PC, Mac, iOS, or Android

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes this an unusual Christmas film?
Unlike traditional feel-good holiday movies, Christmas Holiday is a dark film noir thriller set during the festive season. Director Robert Siodmak uses Christmas decorations & church services as an ironic backdrop for a story about murder, obsession, and psychological entrapment — creating an unsettling contrast that gives the film its distinctive edge.

Q: How does Gene Kelly’s performance here differ from his famous musicals?
Gene Kelly plays a smooth-talking murderer — charming on the surface but manipulative and violent underneath. It is one of his only dramatic villain roles and reveals a completely different side of the actor best known for singing and dancing in the rain.

Q: Is Deanna Durbin’s dramatic performance a departure from her earlier work?
Absolutely. Durbin built her career on cheerful musicals and light comedies. In Christmas Holiday, she delivers an emotionally raw portrayal of a woman destroyed by a toxic marriage, proving her serious acting range. Her rendition of ‘Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year’ during a key scene is both beautiful and heartbreaking.

#Q: How do I receive my download after purchase?
You receive a secure download link on the confirmation page immediately after payment. A backup link is also sent to your email address. There is no waiting period.

Q: Is this the original 1944 film?
Yes. This is the complete original Christmas Holiday (1944) directed by Robert Siodmak. The only change is the addition of professional frame-by-frame colorization to the original black and white footage.

Q: Is this download DRM-free?
Yes. The file is completely DRM-free. You can watch it on any device that plays MP4 files, including Smart TVs, laptops, tablets, and phones.

Q: What devices can I play this on?
Any device that supports MP4 playback — Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and most Smart TVs.

Related Colorized Classics

• Double Indemnity (1944)