The Holly and the Ivy (1952)

     So, here’s a holiday set film I had not even heard of…1952’s The Holly and the Ivy.  A London Film Production, directed by George More O’Ferrall and starring Ralph Richardson and a young Denholm Elliott.  The Holly and the Ivy was first produced as a play by Wynyard Browne in 1950 and mostly unfolds over about a 24-hour period as an English clergyman’s family arrives home for the holiday and secrets and resentments all come to light.  The film certainly feels like a play.  There are a few scenes at the beginning introducing some of the family members as they set out for the Reverand’s home in the English countryside that I believe were written for the movie.  Once the action moves to the homestead it feels like very much like a stage play.

     Ralph Richardson, who was 50 years old at the time, plays Reverand Gregory.  His caretaker daughter by Celia Johnson, fashion journalist daughter by Margaret Leighton, Military Private son by Denholm Elliott along with Brother-in-Law (I think) Hugh Williams, and sister and sister-in-law by Maureen Delaney and Margaret Halstan.  We also meet the suiter of the clergyman’s caregiver daughter played by David Paterson.  They all turn in nice performances.  I believe Celia Johnson and Margaret Gregory, as the sisters are the standouts, though the “Aunts”, Halstan & Delaney, are the most fun to watch.  They are responsible for most of the lighter moments.  Some heavy issues come to light that the patriarch reverend was unaware of.  When he does learn of everything that the family had been keeping from him, instead of being angry, he takes ownership of not being a very good father if his own children were afraid of sharing personal issues with him. The film unfolds as something of a comic tinged take on a somewhat dysfunctional family that takes a turn for the dramatic as the secrets are exposed.  The loss of a child, feeling trapped, afraid to upset/offend a religious leader father being a few of those secrets.  I liked the way the secrets came out and especially the way the clergyman accepted the information.  Today we’d expect the father to either get angry or deliver a stormy sermon-like response.  That, thankfully, does not happen here. 

     Usually, I’m complaining that a movie goes on just too long, but in this case, I could have used more time with these characters.  Things happen pretty quickly and lead up to a fairly abrupt ending.  I had a small challenge with the casting in that Ralph Richardson doesn’t look, he was made up to appear older, old enough to be the father of, at least, his eldest daughter.  In real life Celia Johnson and Richardson were only 6 years apart in age.  I got over it, but I took a minute.  Another small issue I had was due to one of those early scenes introducing the characters.  The one introducing Denholm Elliott’s character, where he asks for leave from his military duties to visit his family for the holidays.  He is turned down and sent back to barracks, but when he arrives at his father’s house, he tells them he did receive the leave.  Did I misunderstand or did they not care? 

    All in all, I did enjoy The Holly and the Ivy.  It’s light, with just enough drama to make you think and have some “feels”.  I watched the film on the Public Library supported streaming service “Hoopla”.  The Holly and the Ivey is available on home video and the Blu-Ray lists for about 15-20 dollars.