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A Holiday Affair is a little love story that, like Christmas in Connecticut, involves a bit of a love triangle. Perhaps this one could even be considered a love square. A brunette Janet Leigh plays Connie, a young widow and mother, who has been dating Carl (Wendell Corey) for a long time. Connie is hesitant to marry Carl because she doesn't want to forget her husband or hurt her son, Timmy. Carl's a relatively nice guy, but Timmy doesn't want him for a father - he likes things the way they are with just him and his mom. Connie is a professional comparison shopper who buys and returns a toy train; a store clerk named Steve figures out what she is doing (Robert Mitchum) but lets her go, which results in his own unemployment. The two get acquainted by a few chance meetings, which Timmy's okay with, but Carl isn't.

On the Christmas front, this one actually does have a bit of the Christmas spirit to it. The plot revolves a lot around Christmas gifts. Timmy wants a train for Christmas, but mom can't afford it, Steve buys the train even though he can't afford it, etc. Most of the climactic action takes place on Christmas too. Between the presents inside the apartments, the decorations in the department store, little Timmy, and the snow outside, this one feels more Christmasy than A Miracle on 34th Street to me.

As a classic, the overall tone is a little subdued, perhaps because it's a simple story. Actually, the relationships all feel surprisingly natural for an older movie, and perhaps that makes it less dramatic. I really liked the dynamics of Connie's relationship with Timmy and the way they talk to each other, especially how it reveals how Connie is dealing with her husband's absence. And of course, what really stands out is the relationship between Connie and Steve. Steve is a straight-shooter. He walks right in to Connie's life and isn't apologetic when he finds out Connie has a boyfriend. He can see that Connie is with Carl more because she should be than because she wants to be. He can see her insecurities, and he tells them to her plainly. This frankness is refreshing, especially some of the things he says at the family Christmas meal.

Only time will tell whether this becomes a classic for me. I'll have to see how it holds up with repeat viewings. One thing is certain - little Timmy is actually really cute and melted my heart a couple of times, although I'll probably deny that in person. I'm glad I finally caught up with this one; it's a solid little Christmas movie.