Christmas in July

Christmas in July

Year: 1940

Runtime: 67 mins

Language: English

RomanceComedyCrude humor and satireLaugh-out-loud relationship entanglementsAmusing jokes and witty satire

Restless nights aren’t due to the coffee but to the bunk. An office clerk who habitually enters contests hoping to win a fortune and marry his beloved sets his sights on the Maxford House Coffee Slogan Contest. As a prank, his coworkers fabricate a telegram announcing he has won the $25,000 grand prize, sending his dreams spiraling into chaos.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Christmas in July (1940)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Christmas in July (1940). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1940s

Set in the early 1940s, the film reflects a period of rising mass media and consumer optimism in the United States. Office life, department-store shopping, and radio promotions illustrate a society hungry for entertainment and quick rewards. The tense balance between luck and merit plays out against a backdrop of pre-war American hustle and bustling commercial culture.

Location

Maxford's Office, Shindel's Department Store, Jimmy's Street, National Radio Studio

The story unfolds within a mid-sized American city, anchored by a glossy corporate office and a bustling department store. Central locations include Maxford's office and the Shindel's department store, highlighting the era's consumer culture and mass marketing. The public radio studio providing the contest broadcast ties everyday life to the lure of a big prize, driving the plot through urban commerce and media access.

🏙️ City life 🛍️ Shopping & commerce 🎙️ Radio culture

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:29

Main Characters – Christmas in July (1940)

Meet the key characters of Christmas in July (1940), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jimmy McDonald (Dick Powell)

A hardworking office worker who dreams of rising above his circumstances to provide for his mother and win his fiancée's hand. His quick belief in instant promotion–sparked by a prank–launches a chaotic series of events that test his judgment. He learns to balance ambition with responsibility as the truth ultimately comes to light.

💼 Ambition 🗝️ Opportunity 🎭 Naivety

Betsy Casey (Ellen Drew)

Jimmy's loyal girlfriend who wants honesty and a stable future for both of them. She champions truth during the crisis and pressures Jimmy and Baxter to confront the deception. Her heartfelt plea ultimately influences Baxter to give Jimmy a genuine second chance.

💖 Support 🧭 Integrity 💬 Communication

Dr. Maxford (Raymond Walburn)

The authoritative sponsor whose national radio contest is supposed to crown a grand prize winner. He initially appears as a gatekeeper whose signature authenticates the prize, but the jury’s deadlock creates tension. He ultimately validates Jimmy's promotion, albeit under scrutiny and a probationary period.

🏛️ Authority 🎙️ Media 💳 Commerce

Mr. Bildocker (William Demarest)

A stubborn jury member whose resistance creates a stalemate in deciding the contest winner. His obstinacy is a comic obstacle that delays the outcome, underscoring the fragility of the process under pressure. His eventual concession helps clear the path for the true resolution.

🧱 Stubbornness 😂 Comedy 🗳️ Decision

Mr. Baxter

The pragmatic boss who promotes Jimmy after the prank appears to pay off, offering him a chance to prove himself. He enforces probation and tests Jimmy’s ability to deliver under pressure, balancing skepticism with willingness to reward real merit.

👨‍💼 Boss 🧪 Trial 🎯 Promotion

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:29

Major Themes – Christmas in July (1940)

Explore the central themes of Christmas in July (1940), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

✨ Dreams

Jimmy's longing for a better life for himself and his mother fuels the entire plot. The fake telegram momentarily elevates him, revealing how easily optimism can be manipulated by promises of wealth. The film uses these dreams to critique how promotional culture can blur the line between possibility and illusion. Ultimately, dreams collide with consequences, testing character and resolve.

🎯 Ambition & Merit

Promotion and status hinge on perception as much as achievement. Jimmy's sudden ascent from office worker to advertising executive questions what real merit looks like within a corporate promo system. The resolution—letting him prove himself under probation—explores the value of perseverance and accountability over flashy luck. The story suggests that meaningful advancement should be earned, not manufactured by deceit.

🎭 Illusion vs Reality

The fake prize creates a convincing illusion of success that gradually unravels under scrutiny. The department-store spree serves as a humorous parody of quick-fix consumerism. As truth surfaces, the film satirizes how easily people can be misled by spectacle and marketing, while nudging characters toward honest choices.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:29

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Unlock the Full Story of Christmas in July

Don't stop at just watching — explore Christmas in July in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Christmas in July is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Christmas in July Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Christmas in July, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Christmas in July Summary

Christmas in July Timeline

Track the full timeline of Christmas in July with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Christmas in July Timeline

More About Christmas in July

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Christmas in July: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Christmas in July