Sunday, November 25, 2012

Sunday Salon: Watching Holiday Inn (1942)

Holiday Inn is one of my favorite, favorite Christmas movies. There are so many magical things about it. While there are two or three scenes that I don't like, for the most part, it is a great film, a great romantic holiday film.  It stars Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, and Virginia Dale. It has many song-and-dance numbers. Jim Hardy, Ted Hanover, and Lila Dixon are in show business. Jim is supposed to marry Lila and settle down. But, after his "last show" on Christmas/Christmas Eve, he learns that Lila is breaking off their engagement, she's "in love" with Ted and wants to stay in show business. Jim becomes a farmer for a year until he gets the brilliant idea to open Holiday Inn, a place open on holidays. Linda Mason--who can sing and dance--is his first discovery. Jim singing "White Christmas" to her, telling her it's the song he would have sung tonight if the inn had been open that night, is easily one of the most magical scenes. I just LOVE Bing Crosby singing White Christmas! But all does not go smoothly for Jim and Linda, for soon Ted Hanover comes around...his dance partner, Lila left him for another man. Now Linda is destined to be the love of his life...but not if Jim has anything to say about it. I love the songs, "I'll Capture Her Heart," "Easy to Dance With," "Happy Holidays," "White Christmas," "Be Careful It's My Heart," and "Easter Parade." Some of the other holiday-themed songs (Washington's birthday, Lincoln's birthday, 4th of July, etc.) didn't wow me, but, still the film is definitely worth watching! I just LOVE the ending. It is oh-so-magical!

© 2012 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

2 comments:

DesLily said...

pretty sad that they can't seem to make movies like that anymore. :o(

Alex said...

This is also one of my favorite holiday movies. I tend to like the older ones more than the newer movies, though I still love the first Home Alone.

Have you ever seen Holiday with Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant?