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Drama

The Holly and the Ivy (1952): Cast & Plot

The Holly and the Ivy (1952) movie poster

The Holly and the Ivy is a 1952 drama directed by George More O’Ferrall, starring Denholm Elliott as Michael Gregory, Margaret Leighton and Celia Johnson. It runs 1 hour 23 minutes.

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The Holly and the Ivy (1952) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 23m (83 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Holly and the Ivy About?

The premise of The Holly and the Ivy without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A rare-quality love story filled with delightful characterizations and priceless humor. When an English clergyman, devoted to his parishioners, neglects his grown children, the tension erupts during a Christmas family gathering, revealing the strains and affections within the family.

The Holly and the Ivy Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • christmas
  • drunkenness
  • church bells
  • based on stage play
  • christmas eve
  • london england
  • holly
  • holiday movie
  • christmas movie
  • parson
  • holiday season
  • mail
+38 more
  • clergyman
  • british army
  • soldier
  • family reunion
  • family gathering
  • father daughter relationship
  • christmas decorations
  • fashion writer
  • fashion show
  • old maid
  • whiskey
  • sister sister relationship
  • washing dishes
  • reference to hans christian andersen
  • loss of child
  • child caring for father
  • christmas carolers
  • father son relationship
  • concealing the truth
  • learning the truth
  • christmas morning
  • secret engagement
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • caring for parent
  • strained family relationships
  • reverend
  • female magazine writer
  • soldier on leave
  • child born out of wedlock
  • train trip
  • female self sacrifice
  • father son confrontation
  • church service
  • family relationships
  • title spoken by character
  • vicarage
  • reference to the incas
  • sermon
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Cast & crew

The Holly and the Ivy Cast & Characters

Denholm Elliott leads the cast as Michael Gregory, with Margaret Leighton as Margaret Gregory and Celia Johnson as Jenny Gregory. Directed by George More O’Ferrall; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Holly and the Ivy

· 9 more
From the director

More from George More O’Ferrall

More films directed by George More O’Ferrall: Three Cases of Murder, The Heart of the Matter and Angels One Five.

Full filmography
Plot

The Holly and the Ivy Plot Summary

What happens in The Holly and the Ivy from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Across the frost-kissed lanes of rural Norfolk, the sprawling Gregory family returns home for Christmas to the parsonage in the quiet village of Wyndenham. The film opens by introducing most of the clan, while the youngest daughter, Margaret Gregory Margaret Leighton, remains largely unseen for much of the first half. At the center of the story is Jenny Gregory Celia Johnson, who tends to her aging father, Reverend Martin Gregory Ralph Richardson, the village parson whose compassion for his parishioners often leaves his own family feeling secondary.

Full summary

The whole story of The Holly and the Ivy, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Holly and the Ivy?

9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 9

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered

Which character is the village parson caring for his family at the start of the film?

Cars

Cars in The Holly and the Ivy

4 cars on screen, including the 1932 Albion 3 Ton and the 1935 Triumph Gloria.

  • 1932 Albion 3 Ton in The Holly and the Ivy 1932 Albion 3 Ton Minor role
  • 1935 Triumph Gloria in The Holly and the Ivy 1935 Triumph Gloria Minor role
  • 1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25 h.p. in The Holly and the Ivy 1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25 h.p. Background role
  • 1938 Standard Flying Twelve in The Holly and the Ivy 1938 Standard Flying Twelve Background role
Details

The Holly and the Ivy Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “Nosso Natal em Família” and “圣诞述异”.

Also known as
  • Nosso Natal em Família
  • 圣诞述异
  • Jmelí a chvojí

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FAQ

The Holly and the Ivy FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Holly and the Ivy, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Holly and the Ivy?

The Holly and the Ivy runs 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes).

When was The Holly and the Ivy released?

The Holly and the Ivy was released on December 3, 1952.

Who directed The Holly and the Ivy?

The Holly and the Ivy was directed by George More O’Ferrall.

More films by George More O’Ferrall

Who is in the cast of The Holly and the Ivy?

The Holly and the Ivy stars Denholm Elliott as Michael Gregory, Margaret Leighton as Margaret Gregory and Celia Johnson as Jenny Gregory, among 13 credited actors.

Does The Holly and the Ivy have a post-credit scene?

No. The Holly and the Ivy has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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