Holiday Inn (1942)

At an inn which is only open on holidays, a crooner and a hoofer vie for the affections of a beautiful up-and-coming performer.

Director:

Mark Sandrich

Writers:

Irving Berlin (idea), Elmer Rice (adaptation),

Stars:

Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited 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
Bob Crosby and His Orchestra	...	Themselves

Storyline

Lovely Linda Mason has crooner Jim Hardy head over heels, but suave stepper Ted Hanover wants her for his new dance partner after femme fatale Lila Dixon gives him the brush. Jim's supper club, Holiday Inn, is the setting for the chase by Hanover and manager Danny Reed. The music's the thing.

---

Plot Keywords:

holiday | inn | christmas | dance | tap dance | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 November 1942 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

15 Dias de Prazer

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mary Martin stated in her autobiography that she had to turn down the role of Linda Mason in this film (which eventually led to the termination of her contract at Paramount) because she was pregnant.

---

Goofs

When Jim enters Ted's Hollywood dressing room, he has his pipe on the left side of this mouth. The next shot shows it on the right side, although he has had neither time enough, or his hands free to move it.

---

Quotes

Ted Hanover: A gentle smile often breeds a kick in the pants.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Elves (2011)

---

Soundtracks

"White Christmas"
(1942)
Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
Played during the opening credits
Sung by Bing Crosby and Martha Mears (dubbing Marjorie Reynolds)
Played on the movie set by the Bob Crosby Orchestra and sung by Martha Mears (dubbing Marjorie Reynolds) and chorus
Whistled by Bing Crosby
Played as background music often

User Reviews

What's there not to like?

This movie has so much and if you can make the chemistry thing the sparking between Bing and Fred and ignore the sidebar romances that don't quite grab you, then you will truly enjoy it. "White Christmas" - the first performance of the standard and it always grabs me. And I must have seen it fifty plus times. The dancing scene with Fred and the firecrackers, stupendous, incredible, how DID he do it?? Forget the blackface bits, slightly offensive, even considering the era. And the rah-rah-rah for WW2. Evocative of 1942 and FDR. Everything comes together beautifully down to the encore of "White Christmas" and Bing in the best of voice all through. Story is just about zero and no credibility - imagine an inn open fifteen days of the year with an enormous cast for the floor show (with full orchestra, no less). Bankrupt after the payroll for one holiday would be my guess :>). But lovely and nostalgic and worth watching over and over, just for the boys, Fred and Bing. 7 out of 10.