Holiday Inn (White Christmas): [Media Notes 104]

Yikes! What a strange yet wonderful movie. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen Holiday Inn (1942) before, but it’s not quite like I remembered it. I’ve clearly projected too much of White Christmas (1954) on to it. And with good reason, as both films star Bing Crosby, who sings “White Christmas” in both films as well, the Irving Berlin (born Israel Beilin, ישראל ביילין) song Crosby introduced in the earlier film. That’s not all. Both films involve two pair of entertainers where, both involve a farm or inn somewhere remote from New York City, and both involve standard romantic complications no doubt dating at least to Shakespeare, if not to ancient Rome.

I could go on and on about the similarities, but I won’t. This is not that kind of note. I mainly want to register my shock at seeing Bing Crosby performing a song about Abe Lincoln in black face. I did not remember that at all. That certainly sheds new light on the idea of a white Christmas.

ChatGPT compares the two movies

Are you familiar with the two films Holiday Inn and White Christmas?

Yes, I'm familiar with both "Holiday Inn" and "White Christmas."

"Holiday Inn" is a 1942 musical film directed by Mark Sandrich. It stars Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire and features music by Irving Berlin. The film introduces the song "White Christmas," which would go on to become one of the best-selling singles of all time.

"White Christmas" is a 1954 musical film directed by Michael Curtiz. It is a semi-remake of "Holiday Inn" and again stars Bing Crosby, along with Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen. The film follows two former army buddies who team up after the war to become a successful song-and-dance act. The plot revolves around their efforts to save the failing inn of their former army commander, played by Dean Jagger, and includes a subplot about a budding romance between the commander's niece (Rosemary Clooney) and one of the performers (Danny Kaye).

Both films are classics, and "White Christmas" is particularly known for its title song, which has become a holiday standard.

Would you compare and contrast them?

Certainly! While "Holiday Inn" and "White Christmas" share some similarities, they also have distinct differences. Here's a comparison and contrast of the two films:

Similarities:

1. Bing Crosby: Both films star Bing Crosby, a legendary singer and actor. In "Holiday Inn," Crosby plays the role of Jim Hardy, and in "White Christmas," he plays Bob Wallace.

2. Musical Numbers: Both films are musicals with a significant focus on song and dance. Irving Berlin wrote the music for both movies, and they feature memorable musical numbers.

3. Romantic Elements: Romance plays a role in both films. In "Holiday Inn," the romantic plot involves Jim Hardy (Bing Crosby), Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds), and Ted Hanover (Fred Astaire). In "White Christmas," there are romantic subplots involving Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Betty Haynes (Rosemary Clooney), as well as Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) and Judy Haynes (Vera-Ellen).

Differences:

1. Setting: One of the main differences is the setting. "Holiday Inn" is set in an inn that is only open on holidays, providing a unique backdrop for the story. In contrast, "White Christmas" primarily takes place in a Vermont inn that is facing financial difficulties.

2. Plot: While both films involve show business and romance, the specific plots differ. "Holiday Inn" follows the story of an inn that features performances only on holidays, while "White Christmas" centers around a plan to save a struggling inn and the efforts to stage a grand musical production to do so.

3. Cast: While Bing Crosby appears in both films, the supporting cast differs. "Holiday Inn" features Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, and Virginia Dale, while "White Christmas" includes Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, and Dean Jagger.

4. Color vs. Black and White: "Holiday Inn" was released in black and white, reflecting the film technology of its time. In contrast, "White Christmas" was released in Technicolor, allowing for a more vibrant and colorful presentation.

5. "White Christmas" Song: The song "White Christmas" is introduced in "Holiday Inn" and is reprised in "White Christmas." The latter film features a memorable scene where Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye perform the song in a snowy outdoor setting.

In summary, while both films share common elements such as the musical format and Bing Crosby's presence, they have distinct settings, plots, supporting casts, and visual styles that contribute to their individual charm and appeal. "White Christmas" is often seen as a spiritual successor to "Holiday Inn," with the former incorporating elements of the latter while expanding and building upon the story.