White Christmas

White Christmas
by Michael Curtiz

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Movie Reviews of White Christmas

Movie Review: Crosby and Co. Deliver the Spirit of Christmas
Summary: 5 Stars

Veteran director Curtiz, who directed his first film in 1912 in his native Hungary, consistently demonstrated his versatility again and again with films ranging from "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "Life With Father" and "Casablanca," to later fare such as "King Creole" in 1958 (which starred Elvis Presley). And with this one he certainly proved that he knew his way around a musical. Granted, it was hard to go wrong with Crosby, Kaye, Clooney and Vera-Ellen on board, but there's a big difference between delivering a finished product and making a great movie; and this one definitely falls into the latter category. The story is solid, and Curtiz makes the most of the talent at his disposal. Bing is at his best, and the antics of Danny Kaye are a joy to behold, as are the delightful song stylings of Rosemary Clooney. But with all that talent on hand, the single element that truly takes this film to that higher plateau is the presence of the perky and winsome Vera-Ellen.

Thought by many to be the best dancer ever to be a part of the studio system, Vera-Ellen is an absolute delight in this film. Though she couldn't sing (her singing was dubbed by Trudy Stevens), what she could do on a dance floor more than made up for it. Whether it's the "Sisters" number with Clooney, one with Danny Kaye or just with the guys in the chorus, she is mesmerizing to watch. It may be a style that defines another era, but when she's dancing-- like Gene Kelley-- it's a timeless proposition and becomes entertainment that belongs to the ages. It's just such a joy to watch someone like Vera-Ellen do what she does best. It's transporting. And when you consider that she is but a part of the equation here, it's easy to understand why this film remains so popular to this day.

The wonderful Danny Kaye gives a terrific performance here, as well. It may lack one of the tongue-twisting numbers he was famous for, but he still has ample opportunities to showcase his many and varied talents, which he most certainly does. There was never any question that this was Bing's picture, but he couldn't have asked for a better second banana than the charismatic Kaye who, like Vera-Ellen, is virtually spellbinding when he's doing what he does best, which is just about anything he does in this film, whether it's singing, dancing, mugging or just throwing out a line to Crosby.

Clooney's part may not be as flashy as those of her co-stars, but she sure can sell a song, and whether it's a solo or a duet with Bing or Vera-Ellen, there's no doubt that it's another of the many strengths of this film. And she mixes well with the laid-back Bing who, though clearly the star of the show, demonstrates his generosity as an actor by always allowing and never begrudging his co-stars their time in the spotlight. Crosby was a star and he knew it without having to prove anything; he also knew there was plenty of star dust to go around, and because he let it his movies (this one included) were all the better for it.

The supporting cast includes Mary Wickes (Emma), John Brascia (Joe), Anne Whitfield (Susan), Richard Shannon (Adjutant), Grady Sutton (General's guest), Herb Vigran (Novello), Johnny Grant (Ed Harrison) and Percy Herbert (Train Conductor). Thoroughly entertaining in the truest sense of the word, "White Christmas" is an engaging, enduring and uplifting film that will whisk you away to a magic place in your heart and in your mind. It's so refreshing to take this journey to a time that may not have in reality been any easier, but at least seemed simpler and somehow less convoluted than our present era of "political correctness." A time in which films like this one were not only able to be made, but were subsequently welcomed and embraced by audiences everywhere. Today, we have "Harry Potter," a new kind of magic and a great film in it's own right; but there will always be a place for Bing and his bunch, because theirs was a magic all their own, the kind that's lasting and immortal. And it's all a part of the magic of the movies.