''Strange Holiday'' is a 1945 American movie directed by

Arch Oboler Arch Oboler (December 7, 1907 – March 19, 1987) was an American playwright, screenwriter, novelist, producer, and director who was active in radio, films, theater, and television. He generated much attention with his radio scripts, particular ...

Claude Rains William Claude Rains (10 November 188930 May 1967) was a British and American actor whose career spanned almost seven decades. He was the recipient of numerous accolades, including four Academy Award nominations for Academy Award for Best Supp ...

features as a man who returns from a fishing vacation to find America controlled by fascists. Introductory material included with the video release of this movie states that it was underwritten by

General Motors General Motors Company (GM) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, United States. The company is most known for owning and manufacturing f ...

corporation and was shown initially in private screenings for the corporation's employees.

Martin Kosleck Martin Kosleck (born Nicolaie Yoshkin; March 24, 1904 – January 15, 1994) was a German film actor. Like many other German actors, he fled when the Nazi Germany, Nazis came to power. Inspired by his deep hatred of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis ...

, a German actor who had played a

Nazi Nazism (), formally named National Socialism (NS; , ), is the far-right politics, far-right Totalitarianism, totalitarian socio-political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in Germany. During H ...

or Nazi sympathizer in numerous American movies during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, is featured prominently as a local authority of the new oppressive regime. The new government makes prominent and continual use of an emblem consisting of two crossed swords over two fascist bundles (a bundle of rods with an axe: the pre-Nazi symbol for fascism) in much the way the

Swastika The swastika (卐 or 卍, ) is a symbol used in various Eurasian religions and cultures, as well as a few Indigenous peoples of Africa, African and Indigenous peoples of the Americas, American cultures. In the Western world, it is widely rec ...

had been employed by

Nazi Germany Nazi Germany, officially known as the German Reich and later the Greater German Reich, was the German Reich, German state between 1933 and 1945, when Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party controlled the country, transforming it into a Totalit ...

Plot

The story is told as a flashback of Stevenson, who is being tortured in a chair, reflecting how he got there. Stevenson and three children decorate the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Then, he is flying in his friend's small plane to a fishing and camping holiday with an old friend in a remote area. Afterwards, they head home on Friday the 13th. Flying back, the plane develops problems and they crash-land in a field in a remote location. At the farmhouse, the farmer refuses to let them in and use the phone. A truck driver also acts oddly but gives Stevenson a lift into his town for $20. The driver also declines to explain his hostile behaviour. The main street is devoid of people. Stevenson meets Miss Simms, his secretary, but she does not want to talk. When he goes to his office, it is deserted. He meets the building manager, Regan, who says they thought Stevenson was dead, but will not explain why the business is not operating. Stevenson goes to his house and cannot find his wife and children there. Two men grab him; when he refuses to go with them he is coshed. He awakes in jail, where another prisoner gives him water and tells him that the American Constitution has been changed by those now in charge. Stevenson is called to an examiner to explain where he has been and who he has met. He is refused a lawyer. He is tied to a table and beaten. The examiner then explains the new America: no religion; no free speech; punishment for non-conformity. Stevenson is declared an enemy of the state. In his cell, he ponders on this new world order. When he sleeps, he dreams of an alternative future and sees a picnic with another family; his daughter has grown up and is being courted. When he wakes, he decides he does not want to keep living in this new world. The scene then fades out to Stevenson waking from a nap while still camping with his friend. The whole story was a bad dream.

Cast

as John Stevenson * Bobbie Stebbins as John Stevenson Jr. *

Barbara Bates Barbara Jane Bates (August 6, 1925 – March 18, 1969) was an American singer and actress, best known for her portrayal of Phoebe in the 1950 drama film ''All About Eve'' and as Katy Morgan on '' It's a Great Life'' (1954–1956). Early life ...

as Peggy Lee Stevenson * Paul Hilton as Woodrow Stevenson Jr. *

Gloria Holden Gloria Anna Holden (September 5, 1903 – March 22, 1991) was a British-born American film actress, best known for her role as '' Dracula's Daughter''. She often portrayed cold society women. Early life Holden was born in London, England. She ...

as Mrs. Jean Stevenson *

Milton Kibbee Milton Kibbee (born Milne Bryan Kibbee;"Obituaries: Milne B. Kibbee"

as Sam Morgan *

Walter White Jr. Walter Hartwell White Jr., also known as Flynn, is a fictional character portrayed by RJ Mitte in the American crime drama series ''Breaking Bad''. Walt Jr. is the son of protagonist Walter White and his wife Skyler. He has cerebral palsy, as ...

as Farmer *

Wally Maher Wally Maher (August 4, 1908 – December 27, 1951) was an American actor, primarily on old-time radio; he was also known as the original voice of Tex Avery's cartoon character Screwy Squirrel. Early years Maher was born in Cincinnati on August 4 ...

as Truck Driver * Tommy Cook as Tommy, the Newsboy *

Griff Barnett Griff Barnett (born Manley Griffith, November 12, 1884 – January 12, 1958) was an American actor.(17 January 1958) ''The New York Times'' Barnett was born in Blue Ridge, Texas in 1884. In the early 20th century, Barnett was a member of the M ...

as Regan * Ed Max as First Detective *

Paul Dubov Paul Dubov (October 10, 1918 – September 20, 1979) was an American radio, film and television actor as well as screenwriter. He frequently appeared in the works of Sam Fuller. Biography Among Dubov's radio credits include the 05/02/1953 ...

as Second Detective *

Helen Mack Helen Mack (born Helen McDougall; November 13, 1913 – August 13, 1986) was an American actress. She started her career as a child actress in silent films, moving to Broadway plays and touring one of the vaudeville circuits. Her greater success ...

as Miss Simms his Secretary *

as Examiner * Charles McAvoy as Guard * Priscilla Lyons as Betty * David Bradford as Boy Friend * Uncredited African American actor as "Nobody", a prisoner

External links

* * * {{AFI film, 27722
Review of film
at ''Variety''
Review of film
at

New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

Films directed by Arch Oboler Producers Releasing Corporation films 1945 drama films 1945 films American drama films Alternate Nazi Germany films American alternate history films American black-and-white films 1940s American films General Motors