White Christmas (1954)
-
76% of critics liked it
(34 reviews) -
87% of users liked it
(48,634 ratings)
White Christmas, Paramount's belated follow-up to the 1942 hit Holiday Inn, was the studio's first VistaVision production. A veritable warehouse full of oldie-but-goodie Irving Berlin tunes are woven into the film's simplistic plotline, along with a handful of new songs, of which… More White Christmas, Paramount's belated follow-up to the 1942 hit Holiday Inn, was the studio's first VistaVision production. A veritable warehouse full of oldie-but-goodie Irving Berlin tunes are woven into the film's simplistic plotline, along with a handful of new songs, of which "What Can You Do With a General?" is the least memorable. Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye (replacing an ailing Donald O'Connor) play nightclub entertainers Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, while Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen are cast as singing-sister act Betty and Judy. The foursome travel to Vermont to visit Bob and Phil's WII commanding officer, General Waverly (Dean Jagger, who looks and sounds like Dwight D. Eisenhower!), who now runs a rustic old inn. Discovering that the general is in dire financial straits, the four entertainers secretly make plans to bail the old guy out with a big musical show, enlisting the aid of Bob and Phil's army buddies. Corny in the extreme, White Christmas evidently struck a responsive note with film fans; it was the high-grossing picture of 1954, and a decade later proved to be a ratings bonanza when it was given its network-TV premiere. Of the four stars, Crosby comes off best, especially when singing the title song at the beginning and end of the film; Kaye is a bit overshadowed this time out, though he's quite funny camping it up in a "drag" version of Irving Berlin's "Sisters." Still a big favorite on the home-video circuit, White Christmas may not be the best Bing Crosby musical on the market, but it's certainly one of the most heartwarming. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Michael Curtiz
- Written By
- Melvin Frank, Norman Krasna
- Genres
- Kids & Family, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1954 Wide
- Studio
- Paramount Pictures
Critic Reviews
-
David Jenkins, Time Out
Paramount's first film in (lavender-hued) VistaVision was this pornographically soppy but, nonetheless, hearty and humorous 1954 festive romp.
-
Variety Staff, Variety
Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, along with VistaVision, keep the enteratinment going in this fancifully staged production, clicking well.
-
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The whole thing is rather forced and antiseptically cheerful.
-
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Director Michael Curtiz has made his picture look good. It is too bad that it doesn't hit the eardrums and the funnybone with equal force.
-
Emma Cochrane, Empire Magazine
Great songs, gentle humour and a dose of syrup which is not to everyone's tastes, but worth buying to keep that Christmas spirit going until next year.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Get It Now
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Bing Crosby
as Bob Wallace
-
Danny Kaye
as Phil Davis
-
Rosemary Clooney
as Betty
-
Vera-Ellen
as Judy
-
Dean Jagger
as Gen. Waverly
-
Mary Wickes
as Emma
-
John Brascia
as Joe
-
Anne Whitfield
as Susan
-
George Chakiris
as Unnamed Dancer in Club
-
Barrie Chase
as Doris
-
Robert Crosson
as Albert
-
Marcel dela Brosse
as Maitre d'
- Mike Pat Donovan
-
Gavin Gordon
as Gen. Carlton
-
Johnny Grant
as Ed Harrison
-
Percy Helton
as Train Conductor
-
I. Stanford Jolley
as Station Master
-
Sig Rumann
as Landlord
-
Richard Shannon
as Adjutant
-
Grady Sutton
as General's Guest
-
Herb Vigran
as Novello
-
James Parnell
as Sheriff
-
Dick Keene
as Assistant Stage Manager
- Bea Allen
- Lorraine Crawford
- Laura Lamb
- Les Clark
- Vera Ellen


