CHRISTMAS IN JULY (1940) makes for a great holiday movie

Classic screwball farce by Preston Sturges about an office clerk named Jimmy MacDonald (a nice change of pace for 30's musical star Dick Powell) who loves entering contests to win a fortune and marry his girl Betty (played by Ellen Drew). Well his latest attempt is the Maxford House Coffee Slogan Contest. As a joke, some of his co-workers put together a fake telegram which says that he won the $25,000 grand prize. And soon Jimmy is spending money all over town (which he hasn't even received yet). Stores greet him with open arms because they know he is about to get paid. But when his co-workers finally fess up, things become a little difficult. Christmas in July is a funny little gem from the master of screwball comedies, Preston Sturges. And a likeable cast is a plus. Powell is actually ok in this comedic role. Ellen Drew is really good as Betty. And a great supporting cast that includes William Demarest and Franklin Pangborn. Christmas In July is perfect viewing for any time of the year.
B

Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper go for laughs in BALL OF FIRE (1941)

 Babs knows how to gain attention from a room full of men...

The divine Barbara Stanwyck and Coop re-team for this wonderful comedy classic. The two stars previously paired up in Meet John Doe earlier that year for Frank Capra. As good as that film was, I like Ball Of Fire even more. The story casts Coop as Bertram Potts a young professor who along with six other professors are compiling an encyclopedia of human knowledge. Potts is researching American slang. Things are going good until their financial backer, Miss Totten pressures them to hurry up and finish. So Bertram hits the streets to do some solo research and meets saucy nightclub singer Sugarpuss O'Shea (Stanwyck). O'Shea is at first reluctant to help Potts until  she needs a place to hide out from the police who are looking to question her about her boyfriend, mob boss Joe Lilac (played by Dana Andrews). 

Love hurts...

Soon Sugarpuss is teaching the guys how to conga and all kinds of slang. Of course Bertram ends up falling for her but has do deal with Lilac. Ball Of Fire is one awesome movie. Full of humor and a sizzling performance by Stanwyck. She struts across the screen like she owns it and she does. And Coop is solid as Potts. An enjoyable comedy film. Expertly directed by Howard Hawks.

But everything turns out ok in the end...