White Christmas (1954)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

Norman Krasna (written by) &
Norman Panama (written by) ...
(more)

Release Date:

14 October 1954 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

First and unforgettable picture in VISTAVISION

Plot:

A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.

Plot Keywords:

Song And Dance | General | Vermont | Army | Sister Act

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Bing Crosby	...	Bob Wallace
Danny Kaye	...	Phil Davis
Rosemary Clooney	...	Betty Haynes
Vera-Ellen	...	Judy Haynes (as Vera Ellen)
Dean Jagger	...	Major General Thomas F. Waverly
Mary Wickes	...	Emma Allen
John Brascia	...	John
Anne Whitfield	...	Susan Waverly
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bea Allen	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Joan Bayley	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Mae Bruce	...	Lady in Depot (uncredited)
Tony Butala	...	Child Dancer (uncredited)
Glen Cargyle	...	Jeep Driver (uncredited)
George Chakiris	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Barrie Chase	...	Doris Lenz (uncredited)
Les Clark	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Lorraine Crawford	...	Rita (uncredited)
Robert Crosson	...	Albert (uncredited)
Sayre Dearing	...	Ex-Staff Officer (uncredited)
Marcel De la Brosse	...	Carousel Club's Maitre d' (uncredited)
Mike Donovan	...	2nd Conductor (uncredited)
Franklyn Farnum	...	Carousel Club Extra (uncredited)
Ernie Flatt	...	Dancer (uncredited)
Bess Flowers	...	Carousel Club Extra (uncredited)
Gavin Gordon	...	General Harold G. Carlton (uncredited)
Johnny Grant	...	Ed Harrison (uncredited)
Percy Helton	...	Train Conductor (uncredited)
I. Stanford Jolley	...	Station Master (uncredited)
Richard Keene	...	Carousel Club's Stage Manager (uncredited)
Kenner G. Kemp	...	Ex-Soldier (uncredited)
Vivian Mason	...	Rehearsal Blonde (uncredited)
Peggy McKim	...	Child Dancer (uncredited)
Leighton Noble	...	Bandleader (uncredited)
James Parnell	...	Sheriff (uncredited)
Joe Ploski	...	Ex-Soldier (uncredited)
Sig Ruman	...	Landlord (uncredited)
Richard Shannon	...	Joe, Adjutant Captain (uncredited)
Dick Stabile	...	Band Leader at the Carousel Club (uncredited)
Grady Sutton	...	Mr. Herring, General's Party Guest (uncredited)
Hal Taggart	...	Carousel Club Extra (uncredited)
Herb Vigran	...	Novello, Nightclub Manager (uncredited)

Directed by
Michael Curtiz

Writing credits
Norman Krasna		(written by) &
Norman Panama		(written by) &
Melvin Frank		(written by)

Produced by
Robert Emmett Dolan	....	producer

Original Music by
Gus Levene		(uncredited)
Joseph J. Lilley		(uncredited)
Van Cleave		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Loyal Griggs

Film Editing by
Frank Bracht

Art Direction by
Roland Anderson
Hal Pereira

Set Decoration by
Sam Comer
Grace Gregory

Costume Design by
Edith Head

Makeup Department
Wally Westmore	....	makeup supervisor

Production Management
Andy Burkus	....	assistant production manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
John R. Coonan	....	assistant director (as John Coonan)

Art Department
Dorothea Holt	....	illustrator (uncredited)
Gene Lauritzen	....	construction coordinator (uncredited)

Sound Department
John Cope	....	sound recordist
Hugo Grenzbach	....	sound recordist

Special Effects by
John P. Fulton	....	special photographic effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Farciot Edouart	....	process photographer
Cliff Shirpser	....	assistant camera: Technicolor (uncredited)

Music Department
Robert Alton	....	dances and musical numbers staged by
Joseph J. Lilley	....	musical director
Joseph J. Lilley	....	vocal arranger
Troy Sanders	....	music associate
Van Cleave	....	orchestrator
Bernard Mayers	....	composer: additional music (uncredited)
Gloria Wood	....	background singer: Vera-Ellen (uncredited)

Other crew
Richard Mueller	....	technicolor color consultant
Bob Fosse	....	choreographer (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Paramount Pictures

Distributors

• Paramount Pictures (1954) (USA) (theatrical)
• Paramount Pictures (1961) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1964) (USA) (TV)
• Paramount Home Video (1985) (USA) (VHS)
• Paramount Home Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Park Circus (2008) (UK) (theatrical) (re-issue)
• Paramount Home Video (USA) (laserdisc)

Also Known As:

Irving Berlin's White Christmas (Australia)

Runtime:

120 min | UK:115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording) | Perspecta Stereo (optical prints)

Certification:

Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Iceland:L | Netherlands:AL | Australia:G | Argentina:Atp | Finland:S | Norway:7 | Sweden:Btl | UK:U

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

The original idea was to reunite Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby, as they had been successful in Holiday Inn (1942). Astaire refused, as he had "retired" at the time, so the part was reworked for Donald O'Connor. O'Connor pulled out, and the part was reworked for Danny Kaye.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the start of his surprise party, General Waverly blows out the candles on the cake at his table. At the very end of the movie the candles are lit again.

Quotes:

Gen. Thomas F. Waverly: [to Capt. Wallace] Don't just stand there - how do I get off?

Movie Connections:

Featured in A Hollywood Christmas (1996) (V)

Soundtrack:

Mandy

Sometimes the audience knows better than the critics!

Over the years, I've read a number of professional critics' reviews of this film; almost all were mildly to severely negative. And here's the interesting thing: I don't disagree with most of the individual carps. Yes, the movie is a piece of fluff. Yes,the usually dependable Danny Kaye is a bit weak in his performance. Yes, the plot mechanism for inserting many of the production numbers is lame. Heck, even the continuity is poor...I myself have discovered three noticeable continuity fluffs. But here's the thing. The movie works, anyway!!! Bing and Danny nevertheless make a likeable "Mutt and Jeff" duo. The supporting cast all holds their own, from a radiant (and surprisingly voluptuous) Rosemary Clooney, to the astoundingly agile Vera Ellen, to Dean Jagger's Patton-like General Waverly...they all hit their marks very well. The plot-line is unbelievable. Who cares? This is a feel-good Christmas Movie, for cryin' out loud! The production numbers are sheer fun, the plot doesn't get in the way of all the beauty and great music, the actors are obviously having a good time, and we're all allowed to window-peep on the shenanigans. This is the PERFECT movie to put on after Macy's Parade, while all those who don't like football are helping prep for the big Turkey Day meal. You sneak a bit of dressing or cranberry sauce, and watch a production number. The plot is so user-friendly, missing five minutes here and there doesn't hurt. Treat yourself. Discover why millions of views have made this movie a holiday favorite, despite the critics' opinions!