White Christmas (1954)

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

Norman Krasna (written for the screen by) &
Norman Panama (written for the screen by) ...
(more)

Release Date:

14 October 1954 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

First and unforgettable picture in VISTAVISION

Plot:

A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.

Plot Keywords:

General | Song And Dance | Vermont | Christmas | Army

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Bing Crosby	...	Bob Wallace
Danny Kaye	...	Phil Davis
Rosemary Clooney	...	Betty Haynes
Vera-Ellen	...	Judy Haynes (as Vera Ellen)
Dean Jagger	...	Major General Thomas F. Waverly
Mary Wickes	...	Emma Allen
John Brascia	...	John
Anne Whitfield	...	Susan Waverly
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bea Allen	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Joan Bayley	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Mae Bruce	...	Lady in Depot (uncredited)
Tony Butala	...	Child Dancer (uncredited)
Glen Cargyle	...	Jeep Driver (uncredited)
George Chakiris	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Barrie Chase	...	Doris Lenz (uncredited)
Les Clark	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Lorraine Crawford	...	Rita (uncredited)
Robert Crosson	...	Albert (uncredited)
Marcel De la Brosse	...	Carousel Club's Maitre d' (uncredited)
Sayre Dearing	...	Ex-Staff Officer (uncredited)
Mike Donovan	...	2nd Conductor (uncredited)
Franklyn Farnum	...	Carousel Club Extra (uncredited)
Ernie Flatt	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Bess Flowers	...	Carousel Club Extra (uncredited)
Gavin Gordon	...	General Harold G. Carlton (uncredited)
Johnny Grant	...	Ed Harrison (uncredited)
Percy Helton	...	Train Conductor (uncredited)
I. Stanford Jolley	...	Station Master (uncredited)
Richard Keene	...	Carousel Club's Stage Manager (uncredited)
Kenner G. Kemp	...	Ex-Soldier (uncredited)
Vivian Mason	...	Rehearsal Blonde (uncredited)
Peggy McKim	...	Child Dancer (uncredited)
Leighton Noble	...	Bandleader (uncredited)
James Parnell	...	Sheriff (uncredited)
Joe Ploski	...	Ex-Soldier (uncredited)
Sig Ruman	...	Landlord (uncredited)
Richard Shannon	...	Joe, Adjutant Captain (uncredited)
Dick Stabile	...	Band Leader at the Carousel Club (uncredited)
Grady Sutton	...	Mr. Herring, General's Party Guest (uncredited)
Hal Taggart	...	Carousel Club Extra (uncredited)
Herb Vigran	...	Novello, Nightclub Manager (uncredited)

Directed by
Michael Curtiz

Writing credits
Norman Krasna		(written for the screen by) &
Norman Panama		(written for the screen by) &
Melvin Frank		(written for the screen by)

Produced by
Robert Emmett Dolan	....	producer

Original Music by
Gus Levene		(uncredited)
Joseph J. Lilley		(uncredited)
Van Cleave		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Loyal Griggs		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Frank Bracht

Art Direction by
Roland Anderson
Hal Pereira

Set Decoration by
Sam Comer
Grace Gregory

Costume Design by
Edith Head

Makeup Department
Wally Westmore	....	makeup supervisor

Production Management
Andrew J. Durkus	....	assistant production manager (uncredited)
Curtis Mick	....	unit manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
John R. Coonan	....	assistant director (as John Coonan)
Richard Caffey	....	second assistant director (uncredited)
Bernard McEveety	....	second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Dorothea Holt	....	illustrator (uncredited)
Gene Lauritzen	....	construction coordinator (uncredited)

Sound Department
John Cope	....	sound recordist
Hugo Grenzbach	....	sound recordist
Lyle Figland	....	stage engineer (uncredited)
Harold Knettles	....	sound editor (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Farciot Edouart	....	process photography
John P. Fulton	....	special photographic effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Cliff Shirpser	....	assistant camera: Technicolor (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Joan Joseff	....	costume jeweller (uncredited)

Music Department
Robert Alton	....	stager: dances and musical numbers
Joseph J. Lilley	....	music director
Joseph J. Lilley	....	vocal arranger
Troy Sanders	....	music associate
Van Cleave	....	orchestral arranger
Michael Behan	....	musician: bass (uncredited)
Bernard Mayers	....	composer: additional music (uncredited)
Gloria Wood	....	background singer: Vera-Ellen (uncredited)

Other crew
Richard Mueller	....	technicolor color consultant
Bob Fosse	....	choreographer (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Paramount Pictures

Distributors

• Paramount Pictures (1954) (USA) (theatrical)
• AFEX (1954) (Austria) (theatrical)
• Paramount Films (1954) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Paramount (1954) (France) (theatrical)
• Paramount Pictures (1961) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1964) (USA) (TV)
• Paramount Home Video (1985) (USA) (VHS)
• Paramount Home Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Park Circus (2008) (UK) (theatrical) (re-issue)
• Paramount Home Video (USA) (laserdisc)

Also Known As:

"Irving Berlin's White Christmas" - Australia, USA (complete title)

Runtime:

120 min | UK:115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording) | Perspecta Stereo (optical prints)

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Finland:S | Norway:7 | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Iceland:L | Netherlands:AL | Australia:G | USA:Approved (PCA #16919) | West Germany:12 (f) (fr.nf) | Netherlands:AL (original rating) (1954)

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

When Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) appears on the Ed Harrison TV show, he is briefly shown - as if the audience is watching him at home - on a 1950s television set. The brand of the television is DuMont, one of the first manufacturers of TVs in America and the name of TV network from the 1950s. Jackie Gleason, Morey Amsterdam and Bishop Fulton J. Sheen were some of the notables that began on the DuMont Network, which ceased operations in 1956.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the "Mandy" number, Betty is seen at the top of the production number set then seconds later on the stage with the rest of the performers near the end of the number.

Quotes:

[first lines]
General Harold G. Carlton:Stop the jeep, Sergeant. What's this all about, Captain?

Movie Connections:

References Nanook of the North (1922)

Soundtrack:

Sisters

Sometimes the audience knows better than the critics!

Over the years, I've read a number of professional critics' reviews of this film; almost all were mildly to severely negative. And here's the interesting thing: I don't disagree with most of the individual carps. Yes, the movie is a piece of fluff. Yes,the usually dependable Danny Kaye is a bit weak in his performance. Yes, the plot mechanism for inserting many of the production numbers is lame. Heck, even the continuity is poor...I myself have discovered three noticeable continuity fluffs. But here's the thing. The movie works, anyway!!! Bing and Danny nevertheless make a likeable "Mutt and Jeff" duo. The supporting cast all holds their own, from a radiant (and surprisingly voluptuous) Rosemary Clooney, to the astoundingly agile Vera Ellen, to Dean Jagger's Patton-like General Waverly...they all hit their marks very well. The plot-line is unbelievable. Who cares? This is a feel-good Christmas Movie, for cryin' out loud! The production numbers are sheer fun, the plot doesn't get in the way of all the beauty and great music, the actors are obviously having a good time, and we're all allowed to window-peep on the shenanigans. This is the PERFECT movie to put on after Macy's Parade, while all those who don't like football are helping prep for the big Turkey Day meal. You sneak a bit of dressing or cranberry sauce, and watch a production number. The plot is so user-friendly, missing five minutes here and there doesn't hurt. Treat yourself. Discover why millions of views have made this movie a holiday favorite, despite the critics' opinions!