Audience Rating: Universal, suitable for all Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 5024165240496 Format: PAL Label: Paramount Home Entertainment Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment Number Of Discs: 1 Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Paramount Home Entertainment Release Date: 1997-11-24 Running Time: 115 Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment Theatrical Release Date: 1954-10-14
This semi-remake of Holiday Inn (the first movie in which Irving Berlin's perennial, Oscar-winning holiday anthem was featured) doesn't have much of a story, but what it does have is choice: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, an all-Irving Berlin song score, classy direction by Hollywood vet Michael Curtiz (Casablanca, The Adventures of Robin Hood), VistaVision (the very first feature ever shot in that widescreen format), and ultrafestive Technicolor! Crosby and Kaye are song-and-dance men who hook up, romantically and professionally, with a "sister" act (Clooney and Vera-Ellen) to put on a Big Show to benefit the struggling ski-resort lodge run by the beloved old retired general (Dean Jagger) of their WWII Army outfit. Crosby is cool, Clooney is warm, Kaye is goofy, and Vera-Ellen is leggy. Songs include: "Sisters" (Crosby and Kaye do their own drag version, too), "Snow", "We'll Follow the Old Man", "Mandy", "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" and more. Christmas would be unthinkable without White Christmas. --Jim Emerson
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: This is THE Christmas film Comment: "White Christmas" has long been a favourite of mine, and is THE Christmas film above all other seasonal offerings. It is warm, funny, touching and tuneful.
Everyone knows the title song, but Irving Berlin composed some other great numbers such as "Sisters" and "Count Your Blessings" for the movie, which runs to almost two hours.
It's a great production with a cast which fits the bill perfectly.
This DVD also features an interview with the fabulous Rosemary Clooney, who also provides a film commentary if you so choose to listen. The Theatrical trailer is also one of the extras.
I love it! Customer Rating: Summary: White Christmas Comment: At 27 years of age, my husband bought this for me for Christmas, as I love this time of year and happy festive films. This is the first time I have ever seen White Christmas and I loved it! I would really like to find more classics of this type but I have no idea where to start! An excellent film, I can't wait to see it again! Customer Rating: Summary: A Damp Christmas Comment: Very much in the second tier of the genre. I bought it along with the wonderful 'Singing in the Rain' and there really is no comparison.
Crosby looks old and tired and there's no chemistry at all between the boys and girls. Danny Kaye adds nothing and really shouldn't try to dance!
It doesn't matter that the plot hardly exists, but surely Irving Berlin could have put in a bit of effort - there's 'White Christmas' and 'Sisters' (sung three times, if I remember), and nothing else I could hum if you asked me.
In summary, it just seems to be going through the motions. With a title like 'White Christmas' you might at least expect sleigh-bells and Chistmas-card snow scenes - no such luck, it doesn't even snow until the last 2 minutes.
This gets 2 stars because of the timeless title song - go and buy it on CD and leave the film in the archives. Customer Rating: Summary: Classic Christams Film Comment: Would definately Recommend as a classic Christmas film. You will have seen it before, but you will definately be watching it every Christmas and it will become a tradition. Buy it don't just rent it. Customer Rating: Summary: An Essential Film for Christmas each and every year Comment: "White Christmas" begins on the battlefield during World War II, on the fateful night when Danny Kaye saves the life of Bing Crosby and used the leverage to create what would be one of the most successful song-and-dance teams after the war. One night they check out the act of two sisters played by Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, and the next thing they know the boys are on their way to Vermont where the girls are supposed to perform at a ski lodge. However, there are two big surprises up in Vermont: there is no snow and the inn which is threatened with financial ruin is run by General Waverly (Dean Jagger), their commander during the war. Of course, Bing is interested in pursuing Rosemary, while Danny is too busy trying to move that along to notice Vera-Ellen is after him.
This is one of the films I have to watch every Christmas or else the Holidays just do not seem right. Of course, this makes no sense because "White Christmas" does not seem like it has the makings of a Christmas Classic. The magic is due mainly to the songs of Irving Berlin, which in addition to the beloved title song includes "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," "Blue Skies" and "The Best Things Happen While Your Dancing." Since they are putting on a show, there are all sorts of production numbers from the rehersal and the performance. The most memorable might be the version of "Sisters" done by Crosby and Kaye (which Bing was not happy to do, but you will never know by watching the one take). For me, the reason to watch this film each year is to get to the end. There is just something about when Jagger comes down those stairs that gets to me. Nothing like a happy ending to get you in the mood for Christmas, with or without snow (fortunately, where I live, that is never a problem).
![White Christmas [1954]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/418JJE98FWL._SL160_.jpg)
