Feeling remorse that the hardboiled shoplifter (Stanwyck) he’s prosecuting will spend Christmas in jail, an attorney (MacMurray) stands bail - then ends up having to take her to his family home for the holidays. What follows is an ongoing series of snap decisions made by all parties that have unforeseen consequences.

This quietly affecting comedy drama, scripted by screwball expert Preston Sturges, is as warm and pleasant as a cup of hot chocolate on a cold Winter’s night.