Holiday Inn (1942)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Mark Sandrich

Writers:

Irving Berlin (idea)
Elmer Rice (adaptation)

Release Date:

4 April 1943 (Sweden)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Musical | Romance

Plot:

Lovely Linda Mason has crooner Jim Hardy head over heels, but suave stepper Ted Hanover wants her for...

Plot Keywords:

Holiday | Inn | Christmas | Dance | Minstrel Show

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Bing Crosby	...	Jim Hardy
Fred Astaire	...	Ted Hanover
Marjorie Reynolds	...	Linda Mason
Virginia Dale	...	Lila Dixon
Walter Abel	...	Danny Reed
Louise Beavers	...	Mamie
Irving Bacon	...	Gus
Marek Windheim	...	François
James Bell	...	Dunbar
John Gallaudet	...	Parker
Shelby Bacon	...	Vanderbilt
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Joan Arnold	...	Daphne

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

Finland:S | USA:Approved | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Holiday Inn, Monte Rio, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Irving Berlin got the idea for the film after writing the song "Easter Parade" for his 1933 show "As Thousands Cheer", and planned to write a play about American holidays, but it never materialized. He later pitched the idea to Mark Sandrich who got the ball rolling for this film.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Lila gives Linda a lift to Holiday Inn, Linda gets in the car, sits down, and starts to close the door. In the next shot, Linda hops into the car again.

Quotes:

Linda Mason: What would you like?
Danny Reed: Orchids, the finest you've got.
Linda Mason: Corsage?
Danny Reed: No, no. A dozen, loose, looking like they don't care!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Bob Newhart Show: I'm Dreaming of a Slight Christmas (#2.15)" (1973)

Soundtrack:

Song of Freedom

Holiday Inn is an uplifting and heartwarming remembrance that is a legend in its own right.

In any endeavor there are greats, and there are legends. Bing Crosby crooned his way to the latter status years before this movie, and he is in fine voice here. It is such a shame that things like talent aren't present in music anymore, but if you want to remember it, this is a great vehicle. Irving Berlin, Crosby's long time friend, wrote magical numbers for the film, including the unforgettable White Christmas.

Fred Astaire gave a tour de force performance, singing, and, of course, dancing his way through this delightful piece in rare form. It is said that he worked so hard during rehearsals that he wasted away to 85 pounds by the time he filmed the firecracker number. He might just as well have been weightless, because he defies gravity with his every move.

Marjorie Reynolds was seriously outclassed in a role that was intended for Mary Martin, who probably could have improved the chemistry of the starring cast. Reynolds nevertheless does a creditable job, and Holiday Inn remains her finest hour.

Years later, Paramount undertook a vastly inferior remake entitled White Christmas, which failed to capture a fraction of the magic of Holiday Inn. Astaire was replaced with funny man Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney gave it her torch song damndest, but it didn't gel. Holiday Inn has more wit, sincerity, charm and, despite being over a decade older, freshness. Holiday Inn is an uplifting and heartwarming remembrance that is a legend in its own right.