Movie #2409 "Holiday Inn" (DVD I own) I have heard over the years that there's a debate over which xmas movie is the favorite --- Holiday Inn or White Christmas? In our family, "White Christmas" is a tradition we watch every Christmas, along with, of course "It's a Wonderful Life." Up until this year, I have never been able to get through the entire "Holiday Inn" because when I tuned in to it, I couldn't follow the story --- they always seemed to be celebrating some holiday or another and it didn't seem all that Christmassy to me --- recently, I really enjoyed the musical at the Drury Lane based on this movie so I decided to sit down and watch the movie once and for all, and you know what? Aside from Fred Astaire dancing the firecracker dance and a couple of other numbers, and Bing singing "White Christmas" (again), I don't see much here in this movie. There isn't as much humor in this one as "White Christmas" (that's because it sorely misses the beloved Danny Kaye) nor heart. People fall in love and fall out of love very whimsically in "Holiday Inn," in my opinion. And as for the performers --- White Christmas has the smoking voice of Rosemary Clooney and the outstanding dancing of Vera Ellen. And Bing Crosby is....well, Bing Crosby, and doesn't seem near as challenged in the acting or dancing category as in "White Christmas". However, "Inn" does present a cool idea to offer a theatre that just does holiday stuff --- and then takes days off in between to relax and to plan the next one --- seems very logical, and I'm surprised there aren't more of these theaters. Of course, it isn't good for the artist who has to perform on stage for every holiday, and that would take getting used to, but many performers perform during the holiday season anyway AND all during the year, so the holiday theatre might not be a bad idea to give them a rest once in a while. I'll just throw that suggestion out to all the young performers as a thought for a project in the future. But as for now, I'd give White Christmas a 5 out of 5, and Holiday Inn, a 3.
"HOLIDAY INN" 1 hour, 40 mins 1942
At an inn which is open only on holidays, a crooner and a hoofer vie for the affections of a beautiful up-and-coming performer. (not to mention the original dancing/singing woman, as well; neither women measure up to the "White Christmas" female stars , in my opinion)
Director: Mark Sandrich
Writer: Claude Binyon (screenplay). Elmer Rice (adaptation), Irving Berlin had the idea
Stars: Bring Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds
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