White Christmas (1954)

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.

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

Norman Krasna (written for the screen by), Norman Panama (written for the screen by)

Stars:

Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited 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

Storyline

Having left the Army following W.W.II, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis team up to become a top song-and-dance act. Davis plays matchmaker and introduces Wallace to a pair of beautiful sisters (Betty and Judy) who also have a song-and-dance act. When Betty and Judy travel to a Vermont lodge to perform a Christmas show, Wallace and Davis follow, only to find their former commander, General Waverly, as the lodge owner. A series of romantic mix-ups ensue as the performers try to help the General.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | sister sister relationship | male and female protagonists | vermont | misunderstanding | 

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Taglines:

World's First Motion Picture in VISTAVISION The Ultimate in Screen Presentation

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 October 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Irving Berlin's White Christmas

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Gross USA:

$30,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tunes from the previous Bing Crosby/Irving Berlin film, Holiday Inn (1942) are used throughout the movie. When Betty walks in the kitchen at the beginning of the "Midnight Snack" scene, Bing is playing part of the "Washington's Birthday" song from the previous film on the piano. Also, when Judy dances in her yellow dress, she is dancing to a fast-playing version of "Abraham," the Abraham Lincoln birthday song from the earlier film.

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Goofs

Before the "Count Your Blessings" song, Wallace is holding a sandwich up in one of his hands, but in the next shot, he's no longer holding the sandwich, and both of his hands are flat on the table.

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Quotes

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

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Crazy Credits

This film was the first feature to use the VistaVision Paramount logo. A new logo, created especially for wide-screen, this logo appears more realistic and features a shot of a canyon with trees around it. The sky is more distant in depth and is full of contrast. The Paramount logo is pretty much the same as before here. The screen credit "Paramount (with the "P" written in their corporate font) proudly presents the first picture in" first appears over the mountain, and then the VistaVision logo appears, then the Paramount logo plays as usual (with the final notes of the Paramount on Parade march, followed by a bell sound). The Paramount mountain, with minor variations until 1986, served as the basis for the company logo for more than 30 years.

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Connections

Referenced in Christmas with the Kranks (2004)

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Soundtracks

The Best Things Happen When You're Dancing
(uncredited)
Words and Music by Irving Berlin
Sung by Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Trudy Stevens) (uncredited)
Danced by Danny and Vera-Ellen
Also played for dancing at the party

User Reviews

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!