Christmas Holiday (1944)

Plot: Film Noir about a young woman who marries a charming wastrel and gets more than she bargained for
Stars: Gene Kelly, Deanna Durbin

It'd been interesting to know why Durbin and Kelly were cast in a movie called "Christmas Holiday" - because its no "Christmas Movie" and while Durbin sings - its always unhappily and Kelly doesn't sing or dance at all.

So, how did come about?  Well, Durbin was tired of playing sunny girl singer roles, and requested a change - so Universal gave her this bleak film-noir role as a girl who marries a charming wastrel (Gene Kelly) with  an overbearing mother (incest, hint, hint). After six months Kelly kills a bookie and is sent up the river.  Durbin feels responsible so she "punishes" herself by getting a job as singer/hostess in a low rent bar (Prostitute, hint, hint).  She tells her story after a Christmas Mass to  a TDY Air Force officer.  Kelly shows up, after an escape from prison, and per the Production Code meets a sad end.

Its a well done, if twisted, and convoluted Film Noir.  Durbin does quite well in a serious part, and probably could have done more serious roles, if she'd been interested. OTOH, Kelly is fine as the "weak wastrel" but incapable of being menacing or psychotic. He's not bad, just adequate in the role. Its the kind of role that say, Richard Widmark, would've gone to town on.

But make no mistake, Durbin is the star, Kelly only shows up at the 25 minute mark & has to share time with his "Overbearing mother"  (Gale Sondergaard).

Summary:  Above average  Film Noir with some off-beat casting (Deanna Durbin and Gene Kelly) and good direction.  However, it suffers from some structural plot problems.  90 minutes long, it doesn't start to tell Durbin's story until 25 minutes in (that's a hell of a prologue) and comes to an abrupt halt.