Wonderful, visceral films stop being something that must be thought about and simply become an all out experience. That's what White Christmas is for me. A full blown Christmas experience courtesy of Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney Vera-Ellen, Dean Jagger, director Michael Curtiz and of course Irving Berlin.
I mean this as a compliment, but at a basic level I always thought of White Christmas as a Christmas-like version of Singin' in the Rain. We have a talented and dashing leading man in Crosby (Bing Crosby) and his mischievous and hilarious partner in crime (Danny Kaye). They are never better than during their parody of the sister's act (It's a priceless gem of a moment) Similarly you also have big spectacles, lavish sets, great songs, dancing and constant quotability. Perhaps that's just because of the annual viewings, but all of this simply a compliment to both films.
No matter, White Christmas follows those two war buddies as they make it big as a double act and ultimately help out a pair of sisters and their now washed-up General Waverly (Dean Jagger) who owns a inn in sunny (not snowy) Vermont. It's the perfect locale for matchmaking, acts of kindness and misunderstandings courtesy of local inn keeper and eavesdropper Emma (Mary Wickes). But ultimately what we receive is a joyous romance with plenty of Christmas cheer and sentiment to go around.
Bing Crosby's pipes are as good as ever ("Count Your Blessings") and Danny Kaye can make his voice crack like no other. Vera-Ella has a talented pair of legs and Rosemary Clooney can carry a tune in her own right. Whether it's "Snow," "Sisters," or the eponymous track, there's so much to offer. Weather any slow sections and you will ultimately be rewarded thanks to the even handed direction of Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) paired with the memorable compositions of Irving Berlin.
Now go spend the holidays with your kith and kin. Vermont must be nice this time of year, all that snow.
4/5 Stars
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