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Holiday
Holiday opened at the Plymouth Theatre, New York City, on November 26, 1928 and ran for 229 performances until closing in June of the following year.
205 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1929
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90 people want to read
About the author
Philip Barry
36 books13 followersPhilip James Quinn Barry was an American playwright, best known for the plays Holiday and The Philadelphia Story, both of which were successfully adapted into movies starring Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn (as well as James Stewart, in The Philadelphia Story).
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 13, 2016
The first time I saw the Cary Grant – Katharine Hepburn film adaptation of this play, I was indifferent. But it has a good New Year’s Eve scene, so I watched it again the following December – and then I liked it. After a third viewing, I loved it. I now watch it at least once a year, and I always come away appreciating Holiday a little more.
The story opens with Julia Seton about to introduce her family to her fiancé, up-and-coming businessman Johnny Case. Johnny, upon arriving at her family’s palatial home, discovers the average girl he met on vacation is actually the eldest daughter of one of New York’s most prominent families. While the play is different than the film (fewer locations, for one), the same spirit lurks about. Some critics have dismissed the story as being little more than spoiled rich folk whining about their faux problems (and is part of why the Hepburn-Grant film was not considered a box-office success in 1938). But writing it off as that shallow sells the play short and misses its central theme: the divide between our perception and expectations of people versus who they actually are. An interesting fact for the road: written in 1927 and staged in 1928, the play takes place in December 1927 / January 1928, which (unintentionally) imparts a poignancy upon the characters’ decisions and opinions since the world was less than two years from being plunged into the Great Depression. Highly recommended (either the play or movie).
The story opens with Julia Seton about to introduce her family to her fiancé, up-and-coming businessman Johnny Case. Johnny, upon arriving at her family’s palatial home, discovers the average girl he met on vacation is actually the eldest daughter of one of New York’s most prominent families. While the play is different than the film (fewer locations, for one), the same spirit lurks about. Some critics have dismissed the story as being little more than spoiled rich folk whining about their faux problems (and is part of why the Hepburn-Grant film was not considered a box-office success in 1938). But writing it off as that shallow sells the play short and misses its central theme: the divide between our perception and expectations of people versus who they actually are. An interesting fact for the road: written in 1927 and staged in 1928, the play takes place in December 1927 / January 1928, which (unintentionally) imparts a poignancy upon the characters’ decisions and opinions since the world was less than two years from being plunged into the Great Depression. Highly recommended (either the play or movie).
October 21, 2012
Philip Barry's worldlings struggle against conventionality.
Whatever the cost, they will free themselves fr restrictions
imposed by society and assert their own individuality. The movie version (Hepburn-Grant) is a sparkler.
Whatever the cost, they will free themselves fr restrictions
imposed by society and assert their own individuality. The movie version (Hepburn-Grant) is a sparkler.
February 22, 2022
A play that deserves reading on an annual basis, preferably near New Year's. Can be found in, Famous Plays of the 1920's, among other anthologies.
June 29, 2024
Holliday: A quest for the true self
Philip Barry's romantic comedy Holiday, first published in 1928 and filmed in 1930 and 1938, might have foreshadowed the 1929’s Depression as it were. Jonathan (Johnny) Case meets the family of his fiancée Julia Seton while spending his holiday in Lake Placid, NY. He is surprised at finding the Setons a super rich family in the banking industry. Edward Seton, Julia's father, eventually accepts Johnny when he finds out that he is a self-made businessman. But things change as Johnny learns more about Julia and her sister Linda. Barry’s characters subtly represent the mindsets of American people coming from different generations and social classes. The youth’s quest for a new identity and their non-conformism toward the established conventions during the Depression are nicely portrayed in the comic and at times, ironic situations. Enjoy reading!
Philip Barry's romantic comedy Holiday, first published in 1928 and filmed in 1930 and 1938, might have foreshadowed the 1929’s Depression as it were. Jonathan (Johnny) Case meets the family of his fiancée Julia Seton while spending his holiday in Lake Placid, NY. He is surprised at finding the Setons a super rich family in the banking industry. Edward Seton, Julia's father, eventually accepts Johnny when he finds out that he is a self-made businessman. But things change as Johnny learns more about Julia and her sister Linda. Barry’s characters subtly represent the mindsets of American people coming from different generations and social classes. The youth’s quest for a new identity and their non-conformism toward the established conventions during the Depression are nicely portrayed in the comic and at times, ironic situations. Enjoy reading!
November 24, 2020
Loved the Hepburn/Grant movie, so I dipped into the Barry play. As ever, I prefer the source material. The movie trims a fair bit of the dialogue between Johnny and Linda, as well as Johnny and Julia & her father. Better sense here of what Johnny and Linda are both aiming for. Ned's a bit richer in the play as well. Interestingly, Susan and Nick are, in the play, friends of both Johnny and Linda, which to me makes sense for a seeker like Linda.
Next up will be the 1930 film version.
Next up will be the 1930 film version.
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July 12, 2024This was wonderful! Interesting characters, witty banter, and intriguing discussions about labor, wealth, self-actualization, and American identity. It would be a great piece to cover in an American lit survey course. It also made me want to rewatch the movie, which I probably haven't seen in over a decade.
January 31, 2021
Delightful. Though, I am very partial to the movie.
December 20, 2022
This play was written about 100 years ago, but could easily take place today. Made me laugh out loud several times!
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February 22, 2023No rating. DNF because I was bored in act 2. Maybe it’s just my headspace right now but I’m not interested.
Will try again later though.
Will try again later though.
February 20, 2015
What an enjoyable play by Philip Barry (The Philadelphia Story).The play shows the conflict of always wanting more, and being content to be happy with what you have. It alao shows the conflict of being happy with self, and requiring a mate to acheive happiness. This play (1928) holds up well as a period piece and as an attempt to show the struggle for defining inner happiness. As Mr. Barry writes in this play: Life's a grand ride, if you take it yourself. And no good at all if someone takes it for you. Damn it,there's no life any good but the one you make for your self. By the way, the 1930 film version of this play is available on YouTube. It's a nearly perfect version of the play.
March 30, 2012
This play was performed by Ohio University, which I attend, last year. I helped my roommate practice lines on it so often, I may have it memorized. Which leads me to believe it may be a stronger script than "The Philadelphia Story," which I've watched a hundred times, and hasn't stuck with me as well.
Lovely little jaunt about choosing the right mate over money, with a classic second act played out in an unconventional, heated setting.
Lovely little jaunt about choosing the right mate over money, with a classic second act played out in an unconventional, heated setting.
December 24, 2024
🖊 This is a delightfully poignant story about waking up and realizing what life is all about, before making terrible mistakes. I enjoyed this.
📕Published in 1928 (stage play).
🎥 1930 movie with Ann Harding, Edward Everett Horton, Hedda Hopper, William Holden, and Mary Astor. Very good!
🎥 1938 movie with Cary Grant, Lew Ayres, Edward Everett Horton, Katherine Hepburn. Fairly palatable, but Hepburn is her usual pushy mannish loudmouth character.
✴︎⋆✴︎⋆✴︎⋆✴︎
📕Published in 1928 (stage play).
🎥 1930 movie with Ann Harding, Edward Everett Horton, Hedda Hopper, William Holden, and Mary Astor. Very good!
🎥 1938 movie with Cary Grant, Lew Ayres, Edward Everett Horton, Katherine Hepburn. Fairly palatable, but Hepburn is her usual pushy mannish loudmouth character.
✴︎⋆✴︎⋆✴︎⋆✴︎
January 28, 2015
I love the movie, so I thought I'd see what the source material was like.
The movie makes several improvements. The biggest difference I think is the Potters characters and how they are known to the family in the play, while they are just friends of Johnny in the movie. I think this makes quite a bit more sense, so I'm glad they made this change.
The movie makes several improvements. The biggest difference I think is the Potters characters and how they are known to the family in the play, while they are just friends of Johnny in the movie. I think this makes quite a bit more sense, so I'm glad they made this change.
August 13, 2015
I actually give this play 3.5 stars. It was good but it was a little disappointing after reading, and loving, The Philadelphia Story. Maybe I will like the movie more?
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews