Monday, December 27, 2010

Kick your cares down the stairs...and come to Holiday Inn (1942)


Holiday Inn (1942) is famed as the film in which Bing Crosby first sang "White Christmas." I love its teaming of Crosby with Fred Astaire, their song and dance routines, the comedic rivalry between them, Irving Berlin's sensational music, the wintry New England scenery...everything about it.

In this video review, New YorkTimes critic A.O. Scott discusses Holiday Inn - with film clips. He does talk about the "Abraham" number...but doesn't suggest censoring it. Click to watch...



Scott's review started with a clip of a clever Fred Astaire routine, his New Year's Eve dance "under the influence" with Marjorie Reynolds...click below to watch the entire sequence...CLIP NO LONGER AVAILABLE...a good excuse to just watch the movie!



(I probably don't need to add: don't try this yourself!)

5 comments:

  1. This was a delight, Eve. I've always loved Holiday Inn, and it is a must-watch every Christmas, although as the critic said, it's just fun for anytime. Of course you know how I feel about censorship, and I liked this critic's way of explaining. Your clips were so much fun to watch. Good post, as always!

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  2. same here!! great film..although it may have better music, WHITE CHRISTMAS is really inferior!!

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  3. Eve, As you may already know.. One of my favorite Christmas movies. As always.. Astaire is very elegant and charming.;) Loved the video clips.

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  4. Astaire is exquisite; he seems to just glide across the dance floor so effortlessly. It is amazing just to watch him. I must have seen this film about a half a dozen times and never tire of it. The “Abraham” number is a product of the times the film was made and should be viewed as such. I don’t believe we should censor art. The question becomes where do you stop? I always fear whose hand has the scissors and what it is next they will put it too next.

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  5. Becky, I watch this one every year, too - sometimes back-to-back with CHRISTMAS IN CT because the winter settings are so similar...it's a "cozy" thing...Doc, I completely agree on WHITE CHRISTMAS...Dawn and John, I never tire of watching Fred Astaire dance - no one ever has or ever will touch him...

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