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Brief Synopsis
A homemaking specialist who can''t boil water is forced to provide a family holiday for a war hero.
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Synopsis
Although Elizabeth Lane, author of the popular magazine column "Diary of a Housewife," lives alone in a New York apartment and cannot cook, she writes about a bucolic life on a Connecticut farm with her husband and child and publishes as her own recipes she obtains from her chef friend, Felix Bassenak. During his recovery, Nurse Mary Lee reads Elizabeth's column to injured war hero Jefferson Jones and, hoping to interest Jeff in marriage, writes to Jonathan Yardley, the magazine's publisher, asking him to arrange for Jeff to spend Christmas on Elizabeth's farm. Yardley, who is a stickler for the truth, has no idea that Elizabeth has been inventing the details in her column and insists that she invite Jeff for the holidays. To make matters worse, Yardley invites himself to join them. Convinced that she is about to lose her job, Elizabeth accepts the marriage proposal of her friend, architect John Sloan, even though she does not love him. When Elizabeth's editor, Dudley Beecham, learns that John owns a Connecticut farm, however, he suggests that they use it to recreate the situation she has devised for the column. John arranges for the local judge to marry them at the farm, and Felix agrees to do the cooking. The practical John even arranges for a stand-in baby--one that his maid Norah cares for while its mother is at work in a defense plant. The planned marriage ceremony is interrupted when Jeff arrives earlier than scheduled. Elizabeth is immediately attracted to him and begins to regret her promise to marry John. Yardley's arrival completes the party. Elizabeth successfully carries out her deception despite a slight setback when she learns that the baby is a girl, not a boy as she first assumed. Felix, pretending to be Elizabeth's uncle, cooks a wonderful meal, and while Elizabeth decorates the Christmas tree, Jeff sings Christmas carols. After everyone has gone to bed, the judge returns, but once again the wedding is canceled when Yardley and Jeff sneak downstairs for a snack. When Jeff helps Elizabeth put the cow in the barn, she discovers that he is also attracted to her. On Christmas morning, Elizabeth confides in Felix, who eagerly comes to her aid. When the judge returns, Felix lies that the baby has swallowed a watch, and once again the wedding is postponed. That evening, at a community dance, Jeff and Elizabeth have eyes only for each other. They take a walk outside and sit in a sleigh to continue their conversation. Feeling their weight, the horse wanders off, and the couple is arrested for stealing the sleigh. Meanwhile, Yardley has returned to the farm and sees the baby's mother carrying her out. He believes that the baby has been kidnapped and notifies the police. In the morning, Elizabeth and Jeff return home, and Elizabeth tells the incredulous Yardley the truth. Furious at the deception, Yardley fires Elizabeth. Then Elizabeth and John quarrel and break up. The way seems clear for Elizabeth to marry Jeff, but her hopes are dashed when Mary arrives and announces that she is Jeff's fiancée. Soon, however, Felix learns that Mary has married another man and then convinces Yardley to rehire Elizabeth. Although Yardley offers Elizabeth a raise and offers John a contract as well, Elizabeth refuses to return. Then Jeff proposes, even though Felix warns him that Elizabeth cannot cook.
Frank Harris Horn
Recipe for Holiday Homecomings.
Barbara Stanwyck, who is best known for her femme fatale roles, stars in this post-war holiday comedy as Elizabeth Lane, ...
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James Higgins
Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
This has been my favorite movie for many years now, I love the lightness to it, Barbara Stanwyck is perfectly ...
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