Holiday for Sinners

In brief, the screenplay is a mess, lacking in both direction and point. It looks like it's supposed to follow three story threads, namely, three childhood friends still living in a seedy part of New Orleans. However, one thread, the priest, pretty much evaporates, while the other two, the ex-fighter and the doctor, simply flounder from one scene to the next, reaching a climax so abruptly awkward, they may have run out of film. If there's a governing concept to the pottage, I can't find it

Too bad, because there's a lot of talent involved. Campbell and Rule especially shine in supporting parts, even though Wynn spreads on the punch-drunk fighter pretty thick. What really puzzles me, however, is the talent behind the scenes. Writer Bezzerides is responsible for some of the best noirs of the time, e.g. On Dangerous Ground (1952), Thieves' Highway (1949); at the same time, producer John Houseman was a long-time prestige producer and collaborator with Orson Welles. Given these proved track records, what's on screen here stacks up as a genuine puzzlement. There must be an inside story and I suspect it has something to do with the studio, MGM, which was a late comer to B-movie b&w and not much good at it, anyway. Whatever the reason, at least this odd misfire plays off the colorful background of New Orleans Mardi Gras, which is about the only reason to watch.

Played against the festivities surrounding Mardi Gras, this drama highlights the frustrations of a doctor and priest respectively: the former because his dedicated work cannot relieve the pain and suffering that fill the world he knows; the latter because his idealistic intentions are victimized by the church's bureaucracy. Most notable in this film is an outstanding performance by Keenan Wynn as a punchdrunk former fighter, a childhood pal of the doctor and priest. Surely his finest performance, in a role that challenges him as no other had done, Wynn is heart-rending in developing a character who is trying, without success, to retain a last shred of dignity and sense of self-worth. What could easily have been over-played is handled with sensitivity and restraint. Keenan Wynn.....of all people!

Richard Anderson may have given the best performance in the movie, but his seemingly major character simply disappears for most of the story.

Young is as bad as usual, but Campbell was pretty good. Wynn was over the top.

This film was supposed to be about three characters growing up and drifting apart. It goes nowhere. There is very little insight into the characters and the plot is disjointed. Four stars for Keenan Wynn who does a great job with what he's given.

"Holiday for Sinners" is a film that lost money when it was released. After watching it, I can certainly understand why. Now it's NOT because it's a bad movie...but it's incredibly grim and unpleasant.

The story is set in New Orleans and it's about three different people reaching important crossroads in their lives. Dr. Kent (Gig Young) is a burnt out doctor who is sick of working with the down and out masses and longs to leave to do research. He's somehow friends with Joe (Keenan Wynn), a down and out boxer who is bling, an alcoholic and punch drunk. And, Father Carducci (Richard Anderson) is suffering from a crisis of faith and it considering leaving the church. How do their stories all intersect, see the film...or don't.

The biggest plus about the movie is that it is actually filmed in New Orleans. Other than that and some decent acting, there isn't a lot to love about this one, as I said it's quite grim. There's even a scene with two bodies lying in the street. They've been shot and it's actually amazingly vivid and depressing. And, by the time the final credits roll, you really feel like drowning yourself in your tub! Inexplicably depressing and seemingly pointless.