White Christmas
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Movie Reviews of White Christmas
Movie Review: Thoroughly Entertaining Holiday Classic as Comfortable as a Security Blanket
Summary: 5 Stars
Although Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" deserves its place among the pantheon of Christmas movies, this comparative confection from 1954 still deserves special mention. Granted the plot, what there is of one, is rather thin, it is splashy good fun directed by the dependably versatile Michael Curtiz with several Irving Berlin standards and four superb variety performers in their prime. As much as Capra's film is an annual tradition, it is really this film that I look forward to the most of all the holiday classics.
The storyline focuses on two former soldiers, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, both song-and-dance men who become best friends when Davis saves Wallace from a falling building during WWII. After years of post-war success on Broadway and the nightclub circuit, they become reconnected with their gruff but lovable former army commander, General Waverly. The general now owns a Vermont ski lodge, but he is treading water financially since there is no snow as Christmas approaches. As it turns out, the Haynes sisters, Betty and Judy, are playing the lodge during the holidays, and of course, romantic entanglements ensue all the way through the big finale when all four star in a show that they hope will save the general's lodge.
All of this seems rather incidental to the musical numbers showcased in the then-revolutionary widescreen process called VistaVision. The most relaxed of actors during this era, Bing Crosby plays Wallace with his natural élan, and he croons the classic title tune early on and leads the group sing of the same song at the end. In contrast, Danny Kaye plays Davis with his mercurial style intact, though compared to his other films of the period, he is relatively subdued here. With her smoky, silken vocal skills on display, Rosemary Clooney plays Betty, Wallace's love interest, with aplomb and complements Crosby easily on "Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)". She also delivers a nice torchy Berlin tune with "Love, You Didn't Do Right by Me" despite some silly man-choreography.
I have to say the most impressive performer of the quartet is Vera-Ellen, a phenomenal dancer who was the equal of Astaire and Kelly at her peak. She makes even Kaye look good in their musical duets - "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing" and the amusing Martha Graham riff, "Choreography". However, her best numbers are with dancer John Brascia - the elaborate "Mandy" number where her pliable, slender frame seems to be everywhere on the screen, and the brief rehearsal number, "Abraham", where she and Brascia snap, pop, clap, kick and swing with unerring military precision. It's worth noting that her singing is dubbed by vocalist Trudy Stevens, which is pointed out by Clooney on the less-than-informative audio commentary track in the DVD package. Much better is the 16-minute retrospective interview with Clooney where her natural sense of humor emerges.
There are other numbers worth mentioning in the movie - the duet, "Sisters", done first straight by the women and later by the men as a comedy routine in half-drag (Kaye steals this bit handily with his over-the-top clowning); the foursome on the vintage Berlin "Snow" and "Gee, I Wish I was Back in the Army"; and of course, the title tune at the end. Way over on the sidelines, Dean Jagger lends his warm dignity to the role of the retired general, and Mary Wickes plays Emma the housekeeper in her typically sarcastic manner. Special mention needs to be given to Loyal Griggs's vibrant Technicolor cinematography, which makes the entire movie look appropriately like a bright red candy box, and the print transfer in the DVD almost fully captures the original visual quality. This is undemanding entertainment and a dependable holiday classic that feels like a favorite well-worn blanket.
Movie Review: "We'll follow the old man where ever he wants to go!"
Summary: 5 Stars
Back in 1954, director Michael Curtiz (1886-1962, who won the Oscar for Best Director for the 1942 film "Casablanca") directed a musical that has become a beloved Yuletide classic for many people (myself included): "White Christmas". With the all-star cast of Bing Crosby, Danny Kay, Rosemary Clooney, Vera Ellen and Mary Wickes, the film is often regarded as an updated remake of the 1942 classic "Holiday Inn", which also starred Bing Crosby and featured the same classic Yuletide song, "White Christmas". Though the two films do have many similarities (they're both musicals with lots of song and dance and they both have two main male characters), there are sufficient differences in their respective plots to make each film a unique viewing experience."White Christmas" begins on a World War II battlefield with soldiers performing a Christmas show for their fellow soldiers. The two starring soldiers are Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye). During the performance, all of the soldiers in attendance pay homage to their commander, General Thomas F. Waverly (Dean Jagger). The film then moves forward to its present day of 1954 where it finds Wallace & Davis as being very popular and successful on-stage song & dance performers. After one of their performances, they go to a nightclub where they a performance by two beautiful sisters: Betty Haynes (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy Haynes (Vera Ellen). Bob & Phil become infatuated with the pair (Phil more than Bob). They meet each other and Phil sneakily arranges for himself and Bob to go to Vermont, where the Haynes sisters are going, instead of their planned destination for their next performance. Bob isn't too happy initially with Phil's subterfuge, but relents and enjoys the trip with the Haynes sisters to the Vermont ski lodge. Sadly, when they arrive, there isn't any snow; but they quickly discover who owns the ski lodge: their former commander, the retired General Thomas F. Waverly, who is assisted by his daughter Anne Waverly (Anne Whitfield) and Emma Allen (Mary Wickes). The unfortunate lack of snow isn't very good for the ski lodges business, but Bob & Phil decide to help the retired general in the best way that they know.
Songs by Irving Berlin in "White Christmas" include many wonderful and catchy tunes as listed below. (Vera Ellen's singing was dubbed by Trudy Stevens.)
* "The Old Man/Gee I Wish I Was Back In The Army" (5 stars, performed by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and chorus).
* "Sisters" (5+ stars, Rosemary Clooney, Trudy Stevens and chorus).
* "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing" (4 stars, Danny Kaye with the Skylarks & chorus.)
* "Snow" (5+ stars, Bing Crosby, Danny Kay, Rosemary Clooney, Trudy Stevens and chorus).
* "Blue Skies/Mandy" (4 stars, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and chorus.)
* "Choreography" (5 stars, Danny Kaye, the Skylarks & chorus.)
* "Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep" (5 stars, Bing Crosby.)
* "Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me" (5 stars, Rosemary Clooney.)
* "What Can You Do With The General" (5+ stars, Bing Crosby.)
* "White Christmas" (5+ stars, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Trudy Stevens & chorus.)
"White Christmas" has deservedly become an annual Yuletide classic that will be enjoyed by many generations to come. Overall, I rate the film with 5 out of 5 stars. Also on the DVD is an excellent commentary by Rosemary Clooney. Sadly, "White Christmas" was Vera Ellen's second-to-last film after she decided to retire from acting.
Movie Review: A fun holiday film that captures an era well.
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw this film as a TV rerun as a kid, and enjoyed the post war ambiance, the costumes and the dance. It has since become one of the 20 or so films I watch every year at Christmas time as a matter of personal tradition.
The film is typical for the time, 1950s, with wonderful costumes, especially for women. The music is Irving Berlin classic and enhances the winter concept and the Christmas holiday especially. The colors are intense and designers and filmographers have obviously gone to considerable effort to create eye pleasing contrasts.
Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby were wonderfully paired. The combo of Hope and Crosby established Crosby as the straight man in a comedy duo, On the Road With Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Collection (Road to Singapore/Road to Zanzibar/Road to Morocco/Road to Utopia), and Danny Kaye had a brilliant career as a funny man, The Court Jester, Inspector General (1949). Their pairing seems almost inevitable. While I could see Kaye guilting out Crosby over a broken arm suffered while "saving his life," I couldn't really see Hope in that role. Their two styles of comedy were different. Kaye's slightly sly comedy was perfect for the part. Though I know Crosby was often the "handsome" man in many of his films, I've never really thought of him as such; but his staring opposite the very gifted singer Rosemary Clooney (George's aunt, I believe) seemed to be perfect. Certainly their duets worked well, and his often bewildered or knowing expressions were a perfect foil for Clooney's irritation.
For dances, Kaye and Vera Ellen were perfect choices. They looked like they'd been dancing together for years, and there was no sense that either was trying to dominate the scene. Though the routines are probably pretty meek and tame by "Dancing with the Stars" comparison, they are still classics for the 1950s. I particularly enjoyed the choreography that featured Vera Ellen as its focus. Her athletic talents and tiny figure were very well presented.
The story itself is charming and so era appropriate. The notion of a family gathering in front of the TV set to watch a variety show together is so 1950s and also much a part of my own childhood. The war was still recent enough for people to remember it vividly and yet distant enough for them to have lost contact with those with whom they had served and from whom they thought they could never part. The series M. A. S.H., M*A*S*H - Martinis and Medicine Complete Collection, captures some of the types of expriences that created these types of intense relationships. There was a sepia tinted nostalgia among those who had served, that I recognized even from my father's own stories of his war time experiences.
The movie manages to capture that era's sense that life would never be as intense or as purposeful and important as it had been during the war. It wraps it up in pretty ribbon and surrounds it in snow, making it a perfect holiday film.
Movie Review: Bing Croons....Rosemary Swoons....Watch It In June!
Summary: 5 Stars
This review refers to the Widescreen Collection(Paramount)DVD edition of "White Christmas"...
This DVD should be held up as an example of what DVDs are all about.The transfer and restoration of this 50 year old film is superb. It is the reason we are willing to spend a little more to upgrade from VHS and are awed when we see the wonderful results. Filmed in "VistaVision", the widescreen picture lets you take in every scene of this wonderful classic from edge to edge. The picture is clear, sharp and in glorious technicolor.The colors are beautiful and vibrant.
You have the choice of viewing it in DD5.1 surround or the restored Mono. For those looking for some special features, Rosemary Clooney helps out with a retrospective interview and also commentary. There are English subtitles for those needing them and may also be viewed in French(mono).
The film is a treasure in itself. Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye,Rosemary Clooney,and Vera-Ellen are the stars of this 1954 musical with songs by Irving Berlin that you'll want to sing along with and keep humming long after the film has ended. Directed by Michael Curtiz it's a feel good film that although takes place during the Christmas season, is one that you can pull out and watch anytime of the year.
Bing and Danny were Army buddies, now a successful song and dance team and are out to help their favorite old retired General(Dean Jagger),who is having trouble coping with retirement. The General is now running a country inn in Vermont, but the big problem is there is no snow to bring up the tourists. Bing and Danny to the rescue, as they turn the inn into a showcase of talent, and fall for the Haines sisters along the way. Can these wonderful voices also bring the snow out of the sky?...well..you know.
This film is filled with Berlin's wonderful tunes. When Bing takes Rosemary's little hand in his and croons "Count Your Blessings" to her..well it's movie heaven. Rosemary also treats us to several numbers, Vera-Ellen does some fabulous hoofing, and Danny clowns and keeps us smiling like only Danny can. And how much fun is it watching Bing and Danny do the "Sisters" number together?...alot! Then there's the goose bump evoking, wonderfully nostalgic scene of the four of them singing "White Christmas" together with the Winter Wonderland of Vermont as a backdrop.I would be remiss if I didn't mention the wonderful character actress Mary Wicks, she's a great busy-body who causes misunderstandings, and also keep an eye out for George Chakiris and Barrie Chase.
Thanks Paramount for bringing us this great old classic holiday film on this great DVD...enjoy...Laurie
also recommended:
It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
The Bells of St. Mary's
or both together on DVD:
Christmas Collector's Pack (The Bells of St. Mary's / It's a Wonderful Life)
Movie Review: The Film That OWNS Christmas
Summary: 5 Stars
I am not going to waste one minute of anybody's time here doing a re-cap of the story line to this movie. If you grew up in the United States of America at any time over the last fifty years you know who Wallace & Davis are, you know who the Haynes Sisters are, and you know who General Waverly and his family are. You know where the Columbia Inn is, you know it has trouble paying its way financially because it is a winter resort that doesn't have any snow, and you know that Wallace & Davis are going to pull out all the stops to save the day. AND you know they WILL (...They ALWAYS do! Every Christmas!).You also know that the centerpiece song of this film was first written for, and performed in, another Bing Crosby film called "Holiday Inn" (an Inn that HAD snow), released twelve years earlier and took off in popularity during World War Two to ultimately become the single most popular song ever written (though Paul McCartney's "Yesterday" has long tried to "edge" it). You know also that this same song...and others from "Holiday Inn",got recycled AGAIN into another movie titled "Blue Skies" (Crosby & Astaire once more) that fell IN BETWEEN "Holiday Inn" and "White Christmas". But you also know that the old saw about "Third Time's The Charm" came true here big time. THIS Irving Berlin Christmas extravaganza is the one that really hits the home run right out of the ballpark.
So, enough with what you know!!! Here's what yours truly knows. There are people out in this world who like to consider themselves "cool", and "hip", and "with it", and they like to snicker and smirk and revel in cynicism and sarcasm...believing these are the hallmarks of "sophistication"...and such people tend to regard films with strong sentiment like "White Christmas"as being "cornball" and "sugary syrupy" and "cloying".
Well guess what, people. THESE turkeys are the kinds of JERKS Wallace & Davis say the army makes "thousand dollar jobs" for.
They are emotional ignoramuses.The "Soulfully Challenged". Nobody needs their opinions. They can take their black clothes,
their tie-dyed hair, and their 847 body piercings, and TAKE A HIKE!If you POSSESS a heart and a soul, the end of this film is one of the most moving things you will ever see in your life. If you don't , then more's the pity for you. "White Christmas" is a gift in and of itself to each person who sees it, because not only does it make one's spirit soar to watch it, but it lays down an example for all of us. It says if you will unselfishly "go that extra mile" for someone else...not only at Christmas, but ANYTIME...then you can sometimes get a real-life spiritual payback that can send your heart right over the moon.
Watch this film. Love this film. And let it love you back.