White Christmas (1954)

What a waste of my time!!!

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Hallmark makes about 30 Christmas movies a year. None of them captures the magic this film has but then again, the talent in front of and behind the camera can never be matched. This film 4 singers find themselves in Vermont at Christmas ready to put on a show to save a resort.Not much of a story but it is lots of fun and has lots funny scenes and great singing and dancing. The older you are the more you will enjoy!

You can argue about which version of "A Christmas Carol" you prefer, or if "A Christmas Story" beats out "Love, Actually" in the modern era, but this film hands down is the best Christmas musical by a long shot. Choreography unofficially by Bob Fosse, "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing" with Kaye and Ellen is one of the best dance routines on film, period. Crosby, Clooney and ensemble deliver a sentimental treat throughout that still delivers today.

I was told that 'Holiday Inn' (1942) from which this film was adapted was the better movie. Boy, was that a crock. I just saw it and it stunk.This film has Danny Kaye and Vera Ellen, the much more desirable pairing than Bing Cosby and Rosemary Looney, two schmucks who could not dance or act to save their lives - and they needed to in this holiday celluloid because they have all the personality of a couple of comatose slugs.Danny sings as beautiful as ever, and of course he's so funny. Vera is pretty and puts Rosemary to shame. Dean Jagger provides a solid block of dignity as a retired army general.Pass on Holiday Inn; this is the version to watch. It's 10 times more fun with more story and less random dance numbers. Enjoy!

Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" movie almost was a classic when it came out in 1954. That's because the title song had been out for 12 years, and was made hugely popular after its first use in the 1942 film, "Holiday Inn." It won the Oscar that year for best original song. The song already had broken sales records and was an annual Christmas favorite. So, even with as long as it took 20th Century Fox to make the film, the movie was seen as a sure-fire hit musical and comedy romance. The delay was mostly in trying to fill the role of Phil Davis, played by Danny Kaye. Fred Astaire declined the role and Donald O'Connor became ill just before shooting began. Perhaps providence had a hand in the delay, because I don't think any long-time movie buffs today could imagine anyone other than Danny Kaye in that role. The movie premiered Oct. 14, 1954, and became the top moneymaking film for the year. It had $12 million in box office sales (about $105 million in 2014 dollars). The second highest grossing film that year was "The Caine Mutiny," at $8.7 million. Moreover, the record sales of the song continued to ring up. According to Guinness World Records, Bing Crosby's recording of "White Christmas" holds the world record as the best- selling single recording of all time. As of 2014, Crosby's recording tops 50 million, and the total sales of "White Christmas" by all recordings tops 100 million. Today this movie endures, along with "It's a Wonderful Life," as the two 'must' original films on all lists for annual family viewing over the holidays. Without a doubt, this is the best musical of the season. Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol" is the third movie that is on most lists for annual viewing; but viewers have a choice of several different renditions to choose from. Any of four of those are very good. What's not to like about "White Christmas?" It's a wonderful story of the early musical play versions where the entertainment is the profession of the stars. The plot is very good, with some sub-plots interwoven. It's a nice romance and light comedy of the everyday life variety. And it has wonderful music, singing and dancing. This film is packed with talent. It has 17 songs – all written by Irving Berlin, and several dance numbers. The songs are a mix of previous numbers and entirely new ones. Several were Berlin hits that are still played today. Some have been used or can be heard in movies in the 21st century. Besides "White Christmas," these include "Heat Wave," "The Best Things Happen When You're Dancing," "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," and "Love, You Didn't Do Right by Me."Kaye has a couple dance numbers and one with Vera-Ellen who shows her dance talent in several other numbers. Rosemary Clooney plays half of the Haynes sisters act (as Betty) with Vera-Ellen's Judy; and she's also the romance interest with Crosby. Other top cast members include veteran actors Dean Jagger, Mary Wickes and Sig Ruman. Two future stars are in the music and dance cast – Barrie Chase and George Chakiris. "White Christmas" has one of the wittiest funny lines of filmdom. Kaye as Phil says to Crosby's Bob Wallace, "My dear partner. When what's left of you gets around to what's left to be gotten, what's left to be gotten won't be worth getting whatever it is you've got left." Another good example of the comedic banter between the two male stars is later. Bob is talking about Phil to Ed Harrison (played by Johnny Grant). "I have complete confidence in him. When it comes to conniving and finagling, you can't beat this boy."This wonderful film never wears thin for viewing year after year. The songs and dance numbers will always entertain any audience. And the story is a nice holiday tale of friendship, romance, kindness and fun. It's a classic that families will enjoy for generations to come.