White Christmas
|
List Price: Our Price: $11.99 You Save: $8.00 (40%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $7.72 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of White Christmas
Movie Review: Remastered 2007 DVD Showcases a 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 (Casablanca) 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 2007 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 (1903-1977), Danny Kay (1913-1987), Rosemary Clooney (1928-2002), Vera Ellen (1921-1981) and Mary Wickes (1910-1995), 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: Vera Ellen----WOW!!!!, Blu-Ray update 2-22-2011.
Summary: 5 Stars
A great movie with a great cast and, of course, great music! Having said that, I must agree with another reviewer who feels the 'Choreography' number is out of place. Still, all in all, a wonderful way to spend an evening as Christmas approaches. I have the 2000 release DVD and had not intended to buy a newer version until it finally comes out in high-def, but I noticed that while the 2000 version has an aspect ratio of 1.85 this edition is 2.35. Perhaps now the entire letter written by Betty will be viewable onscreen instead of the bottom line being missing. I haven't had an opportunity to see it, so I don't know. As beautiful as the colors are in this movie, I can't wait to see it in full 1080 resolution on my big TV! I do hope it is released that way soon. I don't know whether HDDVD or BlueRay will win the war, but whichever format this movie is released in is the one I will buy.
Now for the Blu-Ray. I purchased this over Christmas, 2010, in hopes it wouldn't be another one of those transfers that looks the same as the one being replaced. I'm glad to say it isn't...in fact, White Christmas finally looks the way it should! Having bought each previous release starting with VHS and progressing through every DVD release, I can tell you that the studio never made the previous releases look really good. White Christmas always had a picture quality that was below what I expected from a DVD and I took a leap of faith with the Blu-Ray. This time I was rewarded with a picture that is absolutely gorgeous! During the 'Sisters' routine you can see the individual strands of the feathers and it gives you the sensation of being there in person. On board the train when the bar-tender is making the drinks, the glasses and drinks look real. This is one time I can confidently say there is no comparison between the DVD and Blu-Ray versions...Blu-Ray wins hands-down all across the board. I think you can tell that this is one of my cherished movies by how many releases I own, more cherished now because it finally looks great. I can recommend this version whole-heartedly without worrying that someone will buy it and not see any improvement over their older version, and I do recommend it. If you love 'White Christmas', then this is what you have been waiting for...you won't be disappointed!
Movie Review: Classic Holiday Musical
Summary: 5 Stars
The movie gets five stars, but I can't get used to this anamorphic widescreen version. The movie was restored several years ago and to me my VHS copy looks better than this one.
Great Irving Berlin score. The plot is simple but charming. Leaving the Army after W.W.II, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis team up to become a top song-and-dance act. Phil makes it his mission to find Wallace a wife. They meet a pair of beautiful sisters (Clooney and Ellen) who also have a song-and-dance act. Bob and Phil follow the sisters to a Vermont lodge, only to find their former commander, General Waverly, as the lodge owner. A series of romantic mix-ups ensue as the performers try to help the General. Many people think this is a remake of Bing's 1942 film, "Holiday Inn", but it really isn't. The only similarities are the song "White Chrismas" and the Vermont Inn is the remodeled Connecticut Inn used in "Holdiday Inn".
Bing is his usual charming self, complete with his jazz lingo ad libs and beautiful singing voice. Parts of his big hits "Blue Skies", "Heat Wave" have been added to the score.
A rather subdued Danny Kaye puts in one of his best performances. His singing is good and his dancing is ok.
Vera Ellen does some wonderful dance numbers. People rave about "Mandy" and "The Best Things Happen While Your Dancing" but take a look at "Abraham"- she's incredible!
Rosemary Clooney adds her near perfect voice and a commentary to this film.
Movie Review: White Christmas always a classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I work with seniors in an extended living facility and they all rate this film number one. Which is why I bought it so their home could enjoy it over and over. (I have my own copy).
Now, how do I get a guy off my back for us receiving diet pills through Amazon which was a surprise and this guy is hounding me for a poor evaluation. Haven't even received them yet. He calls me LATE at night when this old guy is in bed. He won't listen that it was you guys at Amazon who slipped up and I am on a fixed income if he decides litigation. Does that happen with bad reviews??? Well, don't worry---with White Christmas I am very happy and as a Christian recommend it to all Christians.
Forgive my ranting, but this guy did it again last night and we are tired of it.