Holiday

Holiday

Year: 1930

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: Edward H. Griffith

RomanceDrama

An astonishing drama of double life and double love! A young man is torn between his free-thinking lifestyle and the tradition of his wealthy fiancée’s family.

Holiday (1930) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Holiday (1930) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the glittering world of Park Avenue, a self‑made entrepreneur named Johnny Case stands at a crossroads. After years of building his career on his own terms, he is poised to marry Julia Seton, a woman he met by chance during a winter getaway. Their romance takes an unexpected turn when Johnny learns that Julia comes from an immensely wealthy banking dynasty, a revelation that threatens to upend his fiercely independent outlook and forces him to weigh love against the pull of traditional expectations.

The Seton family unfolds like a meticulously arranged tableau of privilege and pressure. Linda Seton, the charismatic elder sister, exudes a free‑spirited confidence that both intrigues and unsettles Johnny, while her younger brother Ned Seton bears the quiet weight of a father’s exacting standards. At the helm, Edward Seton—referred to as Mr. Seton—presides over a legacy built on financial power, subtly testing Johnny’s suitability for a life that might demand conformity. The household’s opulent gatherings and carefully curated appearances create a backdrop where personal desire constantly bumps up against inherited duty.

Adding texture to the scene are the Potters, an off‑beat couple whose easy camaraderie offers a contrasting lens on the Setons’ polished world. Nick Potter and his wife Susan provide a touchstone of sincerity amid the grandiose settings, hinting at alternative ways of living that resonate with Johnny’s yearning for a deeper purpose beyond the ledger.

Against this elegant yet tension‑charged canvas, Johnny Case wrestles with a bold, almost reckless plan to pause his career and seek meaning on his own terms. The film teases the delicate balance between freedom and belonging, inviting viewers to wonder whether the allure of wealth can ever truly coexist with an unbridled search for personal fulfillment, and what sacrifices love and ambition may demand.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 10:21

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Romantic dramas about class conflict like Holiday

Passionate love stories tested by the pressures of wealth and family tradition.Explore films that share Holiday's focus on love strained by societal divides. If you were captivated by the tension between passion and propriety, these movies offer similar stories of romance triumphing over oppressive traditions and family expectations.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a couple whose relationship is threatened by a significant class difference or rigid family expectations. The central conflict is internal and social, leading to confrontations and soul-searching before reaching a hopeful, love-affirming resolution.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their central theme of love challenging social hierarchy. They share a medium emotional weight, a character-driven steady pace, and a hopeful tone, focusing on intimate relationships against a backdrop of wealth and tradition.

Movies about self-discovery and breaking tradition like Holiday

Character-driven stories where individuals break from tradition to find personal meaning.Find films with a similar introspective journey to Holiday. If you enjoyed the protagonist's struggle between duty and freedom, these character-driven stories explore themes of self-discovery, breaking from tradition, and the search for a more meaningful life.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist feeling trapped by their circumstances, often defined by family or wealth. Through introspection and key relationships, they grapple with their identity, leading to a pivotal choice that affirms their true self, resulting in a personally happy, if bittersweet, conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core focus on a character's internal journey toward self-realization. They are united by a moderate complexity in exploring personal conflict, a steady pacing that allows for reflection, and a ultimately hopeful emotional arc about choosing individuality.

Unlock the Full Story of Holiday

Don't stop at just watching — explore Holiday 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 Holiday is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Holiday Summary

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Holiday Summary

Holiday Timeline

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Holiday Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Holiday

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Holiday

More About Holiday

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Holiday: 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 Holiday

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