My nominees are as follows:

1. Christmas Holiday (Robert Siodmak)

Somerset Maugham interpreted by Herman Mankiewicz and Robert Siodmak

2. I Wouldn't Be in Your Shoes (William Nigh)

Cornell Woolrich for the holiday. First Mirisch production.

3. Mr. Arkadin (Orson Welles)

Be sure to see the Criterion version of this unusual Welles film.

4. Dillinger (Max Nosseck)

The bleakest Christmas street scene imaginable from the King Brothers.

Not making the list:

Mr. Soft Touch (Gordon Douglas)

A wasted opportunity from Columbia. Disappointing.

St. Benny the Dip (Edgar Ulmer)

Ulmer goes slumming and the cheapness of the production shows.

Both of these films are too saccharine for me.