"When I think of how my bankroll is small, I remember when I had nothing at all. Then I count my blessings."
Probably the most poignant lyrics of any song that is sung in this Irving Berlin classic from 1954.
It's very rare for a film to start off with a tearjerk scene and then move into a dazzling display of fine art, but that's what happens here on White Christmas. I believe the opening scene sets the mood and message for the rest of the film, as it creates a setting of remembering our soldiers who are fighting for our freedom everyday. In this first scene, Bing Crosby is entertaining the troops on Christmas Eve during WWII. When he begins to sing of dreaming of a white Christmas, we see the sadness come over the faces of all the soldiers as they begin to think about being at home with their loved ones for Christmas.
Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye play song and dance duo Wallace and Davis, who turn to being producers of broadway musicals. While looking for new acts to produce, they come across The Hayne Sisters, and that's when the adventure begins. In the middle of a show the sisters find themselves having to go on the lam as a warrant is out for their arrest for owing a chisler $200, which they don't have.
Wallace and Davis help them out by getting them on a train to Vermont, where the sisters have already scheduled some shows to do for the holiday season.
One thng that always drew me bonkers was watching a movie and in the middle of the conversation taking place in the film, someone breaks out in a song. This happens alot in this film, which is probably why it's taken me so long to watch this classic Christmas story.
Nevertheless, after watching it a few times, it's kind of grown on me.
Within all the music there's comedy and romance, so take your pick.
My funny moment is when Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye disguise themselves as the Hayne Sisters and lip sinc to one of their numbers.
When one travels to a ski lodge in Vermont in the wintertime, they most likely expect snow. But once they all arrive to Columbia Inn Ski Lodge a couple of weeks before Christmas, everything is green with a balmy temperature of 68 degrees.
Wallace and Davis discover the lodge is owned by a retired General whom they served under in the military. When they hear of his lodge having financial trouble because of a lack of snow, they dream up a scheme. They bring in a New York cast from one of their productions to put on a large show. They also invite the military division that served under the General.
Wallace and Davis arrange all of this not only for financial gain for the lodge, but to boost the spirits of the General who misses the military action. And naturally, after performing the show on Christmas Eve, it begins to snow.
This film is a worthy story to watch if only to remind ourselves to think about and do an act of kindness to all those who are serving in our military, both past and present. If not for them, we would not have the freedom we take for granted in celebrating Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
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