What is the best gift during the Christmas season? The gift of happiness of course. 1954’s White Christmas deals with this gift. Yes, the film may be a little hokey and sentimental, but it is sure to put a smile on your face every Christmas.
The plot is rather thin. Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) are veterans of W.W. II who have become a famous song and dance team. During the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season the two men meet up with two firecrackers, the Haynes Sisters, Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy (Vera Ellen). They follow the beauties to an inn in Vermont because the sisters have a gig there. The inn is now run by Bob and Phil’s former leader General Waverly (Dean Jagger).
The inn is having some trouble though. Because there is no snow for Christmas, business is bad. Gen. Waverly is worried not only about this but also because he is bored with retirement. Leave up to Crosby and Kaye to cheer the old man up with charm. The plan an elaborate show at the Inn in time for Christmas. This will not only increase business but they have also contacted other men who were under Waverly’s command to attend.
What elevates this film is the cast. The four leads have excellent chemistry, knowing how to charm us with song, dance, and humor. Danny Kaye of course gets the bulk of the comedic moments in the film. He’s the playboy who wants to find the best woman, in this case it is Judy, but is then afraid to settle down with her. Crosby and Clooney do a fabulous job arguing back and forth and then slowly falling in love with each other. Leave it up to good old Bing to be an excellent crooner, belting out his famous “White Christmas” and singing his way into Betty’s heart.
Don’t get me wrong, this is not a flawless film. It gets a little cheesy and all of the music, written by Irving Berlin, is not top notch. But, I prefer this over some other Christmas films like It’s A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story because this has not been ruined by overexposure and too much hype. It’s a charming little tale that is a somewhat a remake of Holiday Inn but not as enjoyable. The difference is that White Christmas is a true Christmas film and Holiday Inn is not.
One might be surprised when finding out that the director of this film is legendary Michael Curtiz. This is certainly not along the lines of his great Casablanca or even as good of musical as his Yankee Doodle Dandy. His flair for comic timing and great song and dance routines is evident here though.
Take home this Christmas fable and give it a try. It’s not going to make you think but it will make you happy and put you in the Holiday mood whenever you watch it. Isn’t that what everyone needs at Christmas time?
This has been part of the Favorite Christmas Movie Write-Off put together by Jenni 1369. I have been fortunate to take part in this write-off with these other great writers: AinsleyJo, AmyLEnsor, BedrockTime, bgoodday, bmcnichol, bpotter1, caleo, cbgresh, ChrisJarmick, CjsMommy, dandj, dreamcatcher39, erin5oaks, francesca57, frazzledspice, Grouch, gwsmith, HawgWyld, ImAmes, janesbit1, jenninca, jenni1396, keithpruitt, kelly60, KingJFS, lucky43560, Macresarf1, Magick1, martytdx, Mike_Bracken, monical2me, mrssmoopy, onecoolcat, pacbaystat, phineaskc, Poseidon, Presleysmama, sawasdee, seracorde11, shadow8, splitsurround, SPodgorski, teskue, Viper1963
I hope everyone had a merry Christmas and will have the best New Year.
Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye team up to enliven a winter resort inn. The Irving Berlin musical score sparkles with some great tunes, including the magic...More at HotMovieSale.com
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