Marjorie Reynolds and Bing Crosby arenot happy to see Fred Astaire. Image: IMDb
Well, we were going to share a frivolous, end-of-the-year post about the musical comedy, Holiday Inn (1942), starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.
But then Astaire stole the movie, like he always does, and now we’re gushing over his performance, like we always do.
However, we can quickly talk about the Irving Berlin music – so many famous songs here – and supporting actress Louise Beaver who is, frankly, the Smartest Person in the Room.
The plot, briefly: Crosby and Astaire star as a musical stage team who decide to go their Separate Ways when (A) Astaire runs off with Crosby’s fiancé; and (B) Crosby decides he’s had enough of showbiz and retires to a Connecticut farm.
Turns out farming isn’t as glam as everyone says, so he converts his giant farmhouse into a venue that stages elaborate musical productions.
He dubs it Holiday Inn, because it’s open only on national holidays. (How on earth would you find staff to agree to these shifts?)
Naturally, Crosby’s inn becomes a big success, and it isn’t long before that cad Astaire comes sniffing around for a Piece of Limelight Pie.
Astaire showing off. Image: Pinterest
Much of the tension in the film comes from the Crosby-Astaire rivalry/friendship.
Even though Crosby is handsome, charming, and a marvelous crooner, Astaire seduces Crosby’s love interests and convinces them he’s the Better Choice.
“I’ll Capture Your Heart” is a duet from early in the film that outlines this competition:
Crosby: The way you sing don’t mean a thing You’d better stick to your dance Astaire: And as for you, your dance won’t do You’ll have to sing for romance
Frankly, Astaire makes the better case, because he has two Show-Off Dances in this film.
The first Show-Off Dance is with firecrackers, indoors, surrounded by flammable drapery, and Astaire with a lit cigarette in his clenched lips. As he dances, he pulls firecrackers out of his pants pocket and slams them on the floor.
This routine took three days of rehearsals, two days of filming, and 38 takes. The firework visuals were enhanced with animation, and the effect is magnificent.
A bourbon-fueled performance. Image: Pinterest
The second Show-Off Dance features a tipsy Astaire portraying a dancer who is so inebriated, he can barely See Straight, yet manages a half-decent routine before collapsing.
Astaire was somewhat Under The Influence while filming this scene. In a nod to Method acting, he had two drinks of bourbon before the start of filming, and a supplementary drink for each additional take. There were seven takes before director Mark Sandrich was satisfied.
Eight slugs of bourbon. The sacrifices one must make for one’s Art.
Crosby and Reynolds make memorable music. Image: Pinterest
Of course, perhaps the most famous aspect of Holiday Inn is the classic Irving Berlin song, “White Christmas”.
Crosby sings the song like few others can, and his version became the best-selling single in history before it was usurped by Elton John’s 1997 version of “Candle in the Wind”.
Holiday Inn was nominated for three Oscars, including Best Screenplay and Best Score, and “White Christmas” won Best Original Song. (Get this: At the Academy Awards ceremony, composer Irving Berlin presented the Oscar to himself.)
The Oscar-winning song was the basis for the eponymous 1954 musical White Christmas, again starring Crosby and featuring Berlin’s music. It was originally intended to be a re-pairing of Crosby and Astaire, but Astaire declined and Danny Kaye was cast instead.
If you haven’t yet seen this movie, you should know there is a cringing blackface scene, which left us scratching our head with its bizarre tone-deaf message.
Even so, Holiday Inn is a film that showcases pure talent in every way. We urge you to see it if it ever crosses your path.
Holiday Inn: starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds. Directed by Mark Sandrich. Written by Claude Binyon & Elmer Rice. Paramount Pictures, 1942, B&W, 100 mins.
I had never heard of this movie! Its almost impossible to see old musicals in Italy: since most Italians speak no English, they don’t like musicals were they don’t understand songs or have to read subtitles. But I will try to find it, thanks!
Fabulous choice, I often put this movie on during the season. Bing is always the sound of Christmas for me, plus I got extra Astaire in my viewing this week in Ghost Story, of all things! Merry Christmas, wishing all the very best to you and yours!
I enjoyed reading this very much, and read it to hubs as this is his favorite Christmas movie. I never saw it until we got together but now we watch it about twice a year.
I also cringe at the blackface, and one other part, but reading about the culture, and about Crosby, I try not to read too much into it. It is part of entertainment history
Love your post, Ruth! Such a delightful look at this film. I am chuckling as I picture Irving Berlin presenting the Oscar to himself. I wonder if he is the only one in history to do so?
Silver Screenings 
I had never heard of this movie! Its almost impossible to see old musicals in Italy: since most Italians speak no English, they don’t like musicals were they don’t understand songs or have to read subtitles. But I will try to find it, thanks!
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It’ll be worth it – guaranteed.
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Loved reading your fun take on this Ruth, have a fab festive time.
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Thanks, and same to you! I’ll be dropping by your site later today to do some binge reading.
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Happy reading!! And thanks!
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I love Fred Astaire’s movies. Thank you so much for sharing so many interesting facts about Holiday Inn, a movie I really enjoyed.
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I’m so glad to hear you like Holiday Inn! Of course, I’m not surprised because you have good taste in many things. 😉
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Worth it for the dancing! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
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You said it. Fred’s dancing is always worth the price of admission.
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Fabulous choice, I often put this movie on during the season. Bing is always the sound of Christmas for me, plus I got extra Astaire in my viewing this week in Ghost Story, of all things! Merry Christmas, wishing all the very best to you and yours!
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Thanks! Holiday Inn is my new seasonal favourite. Merry Christmas to you, too!
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I enjoyed reading this very much, and read it to hubs as this is his favorite Christmas movie. I never saw it until we got together but now we watch it about twice a year.
I also cringe at the blackface, and one other part, but reading about the culture, and about Crosby, I try not to read too much into it. It is part of entertainment history
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True. Like you said, it is a part of entertainment history. It’s a film that never gets old for me.
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Every time the firecracker scene engages me, special stuff there
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Righr? You can’t not look away.
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I will surely try to track it down, sounds absolutely lovely! A Happy New Year to you!
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It’s a lot of fun. Happy New Year to you as well! 🙂
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Love your post, Ruth! Such a delightful look at this film. I am chuckling as I picture Irving Berlin presenting the Oscar to himself. I wonder if he is the only one in history to do so?
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Can’t you just imagine Irving B presenting the award to himself? Incredible! I couldn’t find anyone else doing so… Not just anyone can swing that!
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