Original vintage lobby card or half-sheet movie poster for ‘Christmas Holiday’ (1944), a Universal Pictures film noir drama based on W. Somerset Maugham’s novel. The poster features starring billing for Deanna Durbin and Gene Kelly, with supporting cast including Richard Whorf, Dean Harens, Gladys George, Gale Sondergaard, and David Bruce. Produced by Felix Jackson and directed by Robert Siodmak, with the screenplay credited to Herman J. Mankiewicz.
The design is a striking example of classic 1940s Hollywood promotional art, dominated by dramatic blue-toned photographic portraits of the leads arranged with bold diagonal yellow accent bars — a composition that reflects the film’s dark, noir-inflected themes. A full-length figure of a woman in a deep red halter gown anchors the right side, contrasting vividly with the monochromatic portraits. The tagline reads: ‘Love… was her crime! Love… was her punishment!’ The Universal Pictures globe logo is visible in the lower left corner.
This is a rare and visually compelling piece of Golden Age Hollywood ephemera, representing a significant departure for Durbin from her usual wholesome roles. Highly collectible for fans of film noir, 1940s cinema, Gene Kelly, and vintage Universal Pictures memorabilia.
Visible fold lines across the poster surface, consistent with original folded storage. Some light surface scuffing and minor wear visible in close-up shots. No obvious tears, pinholes, or tape residue detected. Colours remain relatively vibrant with minor age-related toning.
