Film Noir Classic Starring Deanna Durbin & Gene Kelly – Directed by Robert Siodmak
An exceptionally rare original US Insert poster for Christmas Holiday (1944), Universal Pictures’ striking adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham’s novel. This film is a fascinating entry in the careers of its stars: Deanna Durbin, cast dramatically against type as a nightclub singer entangled in crime, and Gene Kelly in one of his earliest—and darkest—screen roles.
Directed by noir master Robert Siodmak, the film remains one of the most unusual “Christmas” titles in cinema, steeped in shadows, doomed romance, and psychological tension rather than festive cheer. The moody tagline—“Love… was her crime! Love… was her punishment!”—captures the fatalistic tone of 1940s Hollywood noir.
🎬 Details:
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Title: Christmas Holiday
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Year: 1944
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Studio: Universal Pictures
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Director: Robert Siodmak
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Starring: Deanna Durbin, Gene Kelly, Richard Whorf, Dean Harens, Gladys George, Gale Sondergaard, David Bruce
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Poster Type: US Insert 14" x 36"/Folded/Sing Sided
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Condition: Listed in Very Fine condition, some wear along the folds, for a poster of its age it presents very well.
⭐ Collector’s Notes:
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Original posters for Christmas Holiday are highly sought after, especially in this Insert format, which is rarer than the standard One Sheet.
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A standout piece for collectors of film noir, Universal Pictures classics, or memorabilia from Deanna Durbin and Gene Kelly’s careers.
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The Insert’s striking composition—romantic close-up, shadowy gunman, and dramatic tagline—perfectly encapsulates mid-1940s noir design.
🔥 A scarce and atmospheric artifact from the golden age of film noir.
