Personally I think the Crosby-Astaire version "Holiday Inn" (a;so a compendium of Irving Berlin songs) is superior to this film. But that's not to say this film isn't darned good, as well. "Holiday Inn" was in black and white (although there's a sparkling colorized version out of it that might change your mind about colorization). "Blue Skies" has blue skies...quite nice Technicolor.
In both films there's a friendly competition between Crosby and Astaire for the girl. Here the girl is Joan Caulfield. Caulfield is quite good here, but her film career was finite. The real treasure here is the camaraderie between Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. I'm not sure it isn't better even than Crosby and Hope. I especially like seeing Bing dance; it's not that he's particularly good at it (nor is he particularly bad), but he always put real effort into it and he seems to be having fun...so we do, as well. Additionally, here we have Billy DeWolfe as the comedy relief, and he comes off fairly well, as well, although his solo comedy bit is too long.
However, for Crosby and Irving Berlin, "Holiday Inn" is superior, and "White Christmas" is superior to both.
"A Couple of Song And Dance Men" is a fun number with Crosby and Astair. Astaire's best numbers are "Puttin' On The Ritz" and "Heat Wave". But make no mistake, this is Bing Crosby's picture; Astaire is almost no more than a supporting actor. And, there's a fair amount of dram here, too, between Crosby and Caulfield. Bing is happy go lucky and always looking for a new gig. Caulfield wants to really settle down and have a stable life. Divorce! But, competitor Astaire, of course, brings them back together.
In both films there's a friendly competition between Crosby and Astaire for the girl. Here the girl is Joan Caulfield. Caulfield is quite good here, but her film career was finite. The real treasure here is the camaraderie between Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. I'm not sure it isn't better even than Crosby and Hope. I especially like seeing Bing dance; it's not that he's particularly good at it (nor is he particularly bad), but he always put real effort into it and he seems to be having fun...so we do, as well. Additionally, here we have Billy DeWolfe as the comedy relief, and he comes off fairly well, as well, although his solo comedy bit is too long.
However, for Crosby and Irving Berlin, "Holiday Inn" is superior, and "White Christmas" is superior to both.
"A Couple of Song And Dance Men" is a fun number with Crosby and Astair. Astaire's best numbers are "Puttin' On The Ritz" and "Heat Wave". But make no mistake, this is Bing Crosby's picture; Astaire is almost no more than a supporting actor. And, there's a fair amount of dram here, too, between Crosby and Caulfield. Bing is happy go lucky and always looking for a new gig. Caulfield wants to really settle down and have a stable life. Divorce! But, competitor Astaire, of course, brings them back together.