Critic Reviews

Christmas in July (1940) Rank 5 Reviews

Expert Review Summary

Movie critics combined give Christmas in July (1940) a score of 3.5108 out of 4

based on (12) reviews

Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating

Excellent

(7)

Very Good

(5)

Good

(0)

Fair

(0)

Poor

(0)

Reviews by Score:

TV Guide's Movie Guide (Michael Scheinfeld)

A wonderful present that's perfect for anytime of the year. ...read the complete Christmas in July movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (Michael Scheinfeld)

New York Times (Bosley Crowther)

As a creator of rich and human comedy Mr. Sturges is closing fast on the heels of Frank Capra. ...read the complete Christmas in July movie review at New York Times (Bosley Crowther)

Movie Mirror

A radio show offers prizes for the best slogans; but owner Maxford (Raymond Walburn) finds that Bildocker (William Demarest) can't decide who won. The announcer (Franklin Pangborn) ends the show without saying who won. On a roof Jimmy MacDonald (Dick ...read the complete Christmas in July movie review at Movie Mirror

Doug Pratt's Laserdisc Review

Preston Sturges's joyous hour-long tale, about the victim of a practical joke who thinks he has won a fortune, stars Dick Powell and, in perhaps her most memorable role, Ellen Drew, along with the usual collection of Sturges regulars, including William ...read the complete Christmas in July movie review at Doug Pratt's Laserdisc Review

filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)

Tragically underseen, this Preston Sturges comedy is all of 68 minutes long (including the credits) and is a freakin' laugh riot from start to finish. ...read the complete Christmas in July movie review at filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)

Time Out (--)

Minor but delightful Sturges comedy. ...read the complete Christmas in July movie review at Time Out (--)

Chicago Reader (Jonathan Rosenbaum)

Preston Sturges's second feature as writer-director (1940, 66 min.) is in many ways the most underrated of his movies--a riotous comedy-satire about capitalism that bites so deep it hurts. An ambitious but impoverished office clerk (Dick Powell) is ...read the complete Christmas in July movie review at Chicago Reader (Jonathan Rosenbaum)

DVD Times

At 64 minutes Christmas in July is a spry affair and can't help but feel a minor work in the Preston Sturges oeuvre. ...read the complete Christmas in July movie review at DVD Times

The Cinematic Threads

Dick Powell comes up with a slogan for a coffee contest, and because of a prank played on him by some co-workers he believes he won it (and the $25,000 grand prize money). ...read the complete Christmas in July movie review at The Cinematic Threads

Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)

Writer-director Preston Sturges ("The Great McGinty") second feature is an hilarious slapstick satire on capitalism and the American success story. Sturges's stock company plays the loony scenario to perfection. It has the ambitious but low-paid young ...read the complete Christmas in July movie review at Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)

The Spinning Image (Graeme Clark)

Engaged couple Jimmy MacDonald (Dick Powell) and Betty Casey (Ellen Drew) are sitting out on the roof of the tenement block where they both live, and Betty is outlining her new idea for containing a four room apartment in one single room, but Jimmy ...read the complete Christmas in July movie review at The Spinning Image (Graeme Clark)

Channel 4 Film

Sprightly Sturges comedy that while not being one of his celebrated films is still a little gem. Powell is the young office clerk who is duped by his workmates into thinking he has won the Maxford House Coffee slogan competition, and then racks up a huge ...read the complete Christmas in July movie review at Channel 4 Film

from $44.99