Strange Holiday

Strange Holiday

Year: 1945

Runtime: 61 mins

Language: English

Director: Arch Oboler

FantasyWarScience Fiction

An American businessman returns from a hunting trip to find fascists have overrun the country in this propaganda film.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Strange Holiday (1945)

Trace every key event in Strange Holiday (1945) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Decorate the Christmas tree

Stevenson and three children decorate the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, a warm family moment before the story's danger unfolds. The scene sets a peaceful tone and contrasts with the looming tensions of what is to come. The ritual of lights and ornaments acts as a quiet anchor for his memories.

Christmas Eve Stevenson's home
2

Fly to remote fishing and camping trip

Stevenson climbs into a small plane with an old friend for a fishing and camping holiday in a remote area. The mood is light as the trip begins, with the promise of escape from everyday pressures. The journey through the sky foreshadows the sudden turn of events.

During the trip In a small plane en route to remote area
3

Return journey begins on Friday the 13th

On Friday the 13th, they head home, hopeful for a safe return. The date adds a sense of bad luck to the voyage. The flight soon encounters trouble, setting the stage for a disaster.

Friday the 13th In the air returning
4

Plane crash lands in a field

The plane develops problems and crashes in a remote field. Stevenson and the others scramble to assess injuries and survival. The crash shatters their plans and leaves them stranded in a desolate landscape.

During flight back Remote field
5

Farmer refuses entry and phone

At a farmhouse, the farmer refuses to let them in or use the phone, leaving the group increasingly isolated. They plead for help, but the door stays shut and the dial tone remains silent. The refusal signals a breakdown of trust and community support.

Following the crash, nightfall Farmhouse
6

Truck driver offers ride to town

A truck driver offers Stevenson a ride into town for $20, but he remains oddly guarded and uninformative. The driver's hostile attitude hints at a broader hostility toward the characters. Stevenson accepts the ride, hoping to regain contact with the outside world.

Evening after crash Along a road to town
7

Town is empty; Miss Simms encounter

The main street is eerily empty, lacking the usual crowds and businesses. Stevenson encounters Miss Simms, his secretary, who refuses to talk. The silence of the town deepens the sense that something is terribly wrong.

Evening Town center
8

Office deserted

Back at his office, Stevenson finds it deserted and abandoned. Regan, the building manager, explains that they thought Stevenson was dead but won't say why the business isn't operating. The absence of staff and activity underscores a city-wide disruption.

Evening Office building
9

Home mystery and abduction

Stevenson goes home and cannot find his wife or children anywhere. Two men grab him when he resists going with them, and he is knocked unconscious with a cosh. The abduction suggests organized efforts against him.

Night Stevenson's home
10

Jail and interrogation

He awakens in a jail cell, where another prisoner offers him water and explains that the American Constitution has been altered by those now in power. Stevenson is brought before an examiner who denies him a lawyer and demands answers.

Day 1 Jail cell
11

Beating and new America explained

In a methodical interrogation, he is tied to a table and beaten until he can barely rally his thoughts. The examiner outlines the new order: no religion, no free speech, and punishment for non-conformity. Stevenson realizes he has become an enemy of the state.

During interrogation Interrogation room
12

Dream of alternate future

Locked in his cell, he dreams of an alternate future—a peaceful picnic with a different family and his daughter grown up and being courted. The dream presents a stark contrast to the oppressive reality.

Night Jail cell; dream sequence
13

Awakening to a bad dream

The scene shifts back to the camping trip, and Stevenson wakes up, realizing the sequence was a bad dream. The nightmare twist reframes the earlier peril as a product of his imagination.

Near the end, after waking Camping site

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 11:33

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Strange Holiday Summary

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Strange Holiday Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Strange Holiday

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Strange Holiday

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