“Holiday Inn” vs. “White Christmas”

A brief comparison of two Christmas cinema classics

White Christmas, which premiered in 1954, is far superior to Holiday Inn, the original black and white 1942 film from which it sprang.

In White Christmas, which was filmed in color, Bing Crosby’s voice is as pristine as ever, as is Fred Astaire’s dancing. But besides the embarrassing scenes in Holiday Inn (which are too embarrassing to mention), there is not a likable character in the bunch.

The actors are terrific (Crosby, Astaire, Marjorie Renolds, Virginia Dale) but with the exception of Walter Able (ironically, as the self-absorbed talent agent), their characters are self-serving and mean-spirited.

Such is not the case with White Christmas. Filmed beautifully, and directly expertly by Michael Curtiz, “White Christmas” features some of the most beautiful holiday music (once again by Irving Berlin ever to hit the screen, and every single character (played by Crosby again, this time co-starring with Danny Kaye, Vera Ellen, and Rosemary Clooney) is completely charming.

So, Bravo, White Christmas.

But get some serious edits, Holiday Inn (directed by Mark Sandrich, father to TV helmer Jay Mary Tyler Moore Show Sandrich). And please go back to the drawing board (which is really what they did, in a way, when they made White Christmas).