At last - some respite from the heavy stuff, with White Christmas, a soothing, yummy warm hug of a film from Bing Crosby at the height of his 1950s Hollywood powers. A massive hit at the time, this was easily the biggest movie of 1954 and with good reason. It's a resplendent, technically stunning song and dance bonanza, stuffed with the sort of elaborate musical routines that made Crosby huge.
Irving Berlin's adored, impeccable festive title track is a song that never gets old and which receives a number of welcome airings here. I find these old school swinging razzle dazzle pictures to be just too darn charming to hate, which maybe has something to do with me having worked at a Frankie & Benny's restaurant for years, where I'd be routinely subjected to constant Sinatra/Crosby/Davis Jr. et al on a daily basis, but especially at Christmas time. I feel like I've been conditioned to love this kind of stuff and love to binge on these old-fashioned yuletide ditties all December long.
Well, apart from today - I'm going to see rock n' roll legends The Darkness tonight, my first concert in almost two years because of this darn virus. With the band's place firmly established in history due to their novelty festive hit 'Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End) this should be a fun, purgative way to ring in the holiday season. However, the Prime Minister has just announced a load of new Covid restrictions and there's a huge worry that Christmas will get cancelled again this year. I refuse to let that sour my jolly mood today and spending a little time with Crosby and Danny Kaye belting out some lovely festive tunes only makes me feel better.
Thing is, this one isn't even all that Christmassy. It actually feels like a con as, though it's set at Christmas, the holiday itself isn't really mentioned that much. There's a distinct lack of gift-giving, decorating, cookie-baking and all that other good stuff we would associate with a traditional holiday film but it's still a lovely, if unchallenging picture.
The plot follows Crosby and Kaye as military captain Bob Wallace and private Phil Davis respectively, opening in war-torn Europe, Christmas Eve 1944. Bob and Phil throw a big Christmas concert to show their respect for their superior Major General Tom Waverley (Dean Jagger) , who will soon be relieved of command. Ol' Bing delivers a sombre version of 'White Christmas' against a backdrop of bomb-ravaged buildings, creating a truly haunting image.
After the war, blood brothers Bob and Phil form a song-writing duo and resolve to take a shot at the big time. Fast-forward a few years and the lads are broadway stars, producers of their own hit musical. They've got a wonderful, almost telepathic double act going and it's a joy to watch them bouncing off each other.
With the holidays fast approaching, they're invited to go see a sisters singing double act, Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy (Vera-Ellen). Phil and Judy really hit it off but Bob and Betty are much frostier towards each other. Some contrived but enjoyable stuff happens, leading lovesick Phil tricking Bob into joining him on a cross-country trip to Vermont, where the girls are to perform at a winter lodge for Christmas.
Well, wouldn't ya know it, turns out the lodge is run by their old Major General and business is bad. So, this talented musical foursome pool their talents to put on an amazing show to help out their old pal. There's not much in the way of story, just numerous spectacularly choreographed musical set-pieces with back-up dancers and elaborate stage set-ups. Quite how the gang are able to pull off a musical production on this scale in such a tiny lodge is never questioned , but hey - it's Golden Age Hollywood Christmas - you'll be powerless to resist.
It's all very predictable and soppy but light-hearted and humorous enough to make for an irresistible time at the movies. Mind you, it's a surprise to see a 'Christmas' film featuring a huge production number extolling the virtues of the U.S. military, with the classic title track feeling like almost an afterthought, bookending a story that's more of a tale of military brotherhood, with a dash of romance thrown in. Even if the wonderful, idealised vision of Christmas we do eventually get feels a little tacked-on, it's still a shiver-inducing wonder to behold Mr Crosby belt out that timeless, soul-stirring tune while dressed in a Santa outfit.
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