Holiday Inn (1942)
Don’t be embarrassed if you can’t tell the difference between Holiday Inn and White Christmas; nobody else in America can, either. That was Hollywood’s point, to trick us into watching each movie during the holidays to try to remember which one we like better! No, I’m kidding, but that’s probably the reason we re-watch these mediocre Christmas movies at all. I’m not really a fan of either and can probably go five years in-between viewings.
Holiday Inn is the one in black-and-white that costars Fred Astaire, if that helps you distinguish between the two. This was the first one, preceding White Christmas by over a decade. Bing Crosby’s signature Christmas song was written by Irving Berlin for this movie, and the song was so surprisingly popular, he kept singing it in several movies. “White Christmas” wasn’t expected to be the big hit from this movie but it ended up winning an Oscar and becoming one of the most beloved Christmas songs of all time. To see the original, you’ll have to rent Holiday Inn. Irving Berlin penned over a dozen more songs for this movie, and while most of them are incredibly lame, there are a few cute ones, like the title song, “Let’s Start the New Year Right” and “I’ve Got Plenty to be Thankful For”. The terrible ones, like the blackface number about Abraham Lincoln, and the incredibly dangerous firecracker dance number, are probably the ones that will stick in your mind and make you want to rent White Christmas next year instead.
Why are there so many songs, you might ask? Because in the plot, Bing Crosby retires from show business after Fred Astaire steals his fiancé and buys a farm that he quickly turns into an inn that’s only open on the holidays. Have you ever stayed at a Holiday Inn hotel? This movie is responsible for that chain! So, to answer your question, the film covers all fifteen holidays and shows a song during each.
Holiday Inn is the one in black-and-white that costars Fred Astaire, if that helps you distinguish between the two. This was the first one, preceding White Christmas by over a decade. Bing Crosby’s signature Christmas song was written by Irving Berlin for this movie, and the song was so surprisingly popular, he kept singing it in several movies. “White Christmas” wasn’t expected to be the big hit from this movie but it ended up winning an Oscar and becoming one of the most beloved Christmas songs of all time. To see the original, you’ll have to rent Holiday Inn. Irving Berlin penned over a dozen more songs for this movie, and while most of them are incredibly lame, there are a few cute ones, like the title song, “Let’s Start the New Year Right” and “I’ve Got Plenty to be Thankful For”. The terrible ones, like the blackface number about Abraham Lincoln, and the incredibly dangerous firecracker dance number, are probably the ones that will stick in your mind and make you want to rent White Christmas next year instead.
Why are there so many songs, you might ask? Because in the plot, Bing Crosby retires from show business after Fred Astaire steals his fiancé and buys a farm that he quickly turns into an inn that’s only open on the holidays. Have you ever stayed at a Holiday Inn hotel? This movie is responsible for that chain! So, to answer your question, the film covers all fifteen holidays and shows a song during each.
Without the songs, the plot leaves a lot to be desired. The audience is obviously supposed to be rooting for Bing Crosby, since at the beginning of the movie, he gets stabbed in the back by his girl and his friend. Then, when he falls in love again, this time with starlet Marjorie Reynolds, we’re supposed to root for him as he tries to keep her far away from the womanizing Fred, who’s on the lookout for a new dance partner. The problem for me was that I wasn’t on his side! Bing and Marjorie didn’t act like they loved each other at all, and his big romantic moment was kissing her on the cheek. Even after he sang a song on New Year’s Eve about “kissing the old year out; kissing the new year in,” when it struck midnight, he patted her on the arm and returned to the ballroom to attend to his guests. Where’s the romance? Where’s the love? With Fred, there’s a really beautiful scene that shows the audience he and Marjorie fall in love at first sight. Bing starts singing and playing the piano accompaniment to “Be Careful, It’s My Heart”, and literally behind his back, Fred sweeps Marjorie into a dance. Since the inn is preparing for Valentine’s Day, the decorations include a gigantic heart on the stage, which Fred and Marjorie tear through at the end of the number, literally breaking Bing’s heart. Fred is the one who puts tons of effort in their courtship, and by putting all the emphasis on Bing’s feelings—or lack of—it turns Marjorie into a tennis ball who can be sent to either court depending on the rackets. If she truly loves Bing, nothing Fred does should make a difference, and if she falls in love with Fred, Bing can’t really hope to get her back.
However, in the spirit of the holidays, this movie really is one you should probably rent at least once in your lifetime. Is your life really complete without seeing the original recording of “White Christmas”? Bing has plenty to sing, Fred is charming and suave, Marjorie is cute, and Fred’s sidekick Walter Abel is funny and has tons of energy. Fred Astaire’s dancing talents are completely utilized in this movie, so fans will be very happy. Not only does he tap dance on exploding dynamite, but he also had loads of fun—pun intended—while taking shots of bourbon in-between takes of his famous drunken dance scene, in which he ends the number by falling flat on his face. Just like performing James Gleason’s ice skating routine from The Bishop’s Wife is incredibly difficult because his stunt double had to always be on the verge of falling over, dancing drunk is very difficult—especially when you’re actually drunk! Hats off to Fred, pun intended, and I’m so glad he was able to have such fun during the filming!
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. After Marjorie goes to Hollywood, there’s a montage that involves a spinning visual for a couple of minutes. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Cinema Central Seleus B" for posting!
More Fred Astaire movies here!
More Bing Crosby movies here!
More Christmas movies here!
However, in the spirit of the holidays, this movie really is one you should probably rent at least once in your lifetime. Is your life really complete without seeing the original recording of “White Christmas”? Bing has plenty to sing, Fred is charming and suave, Marjorie is cute, and Fred’s sidekick Walter Abel is funny and has tons of energy. Fred Astaire’s dancing talents are completely utilized in this movie, so fans will be very happy. Not only does he tap dance on exploding dynamite, but he also had loads of fun—pun intended—while taking shots of bourbon in-between takes of his famous drunken dance scene, in which he ends the number by falling flat on his face. Just like performing James Gleason’s ice skating routine from The Bishop’s Wife is incredibly difficult because his stunt double had to always be on the verge of falling over, dancing drunk is very difficult—especially when you’re actually drunk! Hats off to Fred, pun intended, and I’m so glad he was able to have such fun during the filming!
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. After Marjorie goes to Hollywood, there’s a montage that involves a spinning visual for a couple of minutes. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Cinema Central Seleus B" for posting!
More Fred Astaire movies here!
More Bing Crosby movies here!
More Christmas movies here!