Spring Break
Crosby and Astaire shine bright in 'Holiday Inn'
Cassie Belek
Issue date: 11/2/06 Section: Scene
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The magic and on-screen chemistry between crooner Bing Crosby and dancer Fred Astaire establishes 1942's "Holiday Inn" as one of the great holiday films of classic Hollywood and more magnificent even than Crosby's 1954 holiday classic "White Christmas." Although the black-and-white "Holiday Inn" is sometimes not as well known as the latter movie - especially among younger audiences - it features the first on-screen performance of Irving Berlin's pop sensation "White Christmas," and it dazzles with one of the greatest dance performances of Astaire's career.
"White Christmas," often characterized as a Christmas movie, happens to feature all the holidays of the year. When famous singer Jim Hardy (Crosby) tires of endlessly performing, he leaves his act partner Ted Hanover (Astaire) - who also steals his fiancée - and opens an inn in Connecticut. Instead of only getting holidays off like in his entertainment career, Jim decides that his inn will only be open on holidays and each holiday will bring a spectacular, themed floor show. Jim hires flower shop girl Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds) to headline the shows and, after falling in love with her, struggles to keep Ted from whisking away yet another girl in order to secure a stable dancing partner.
The romance of Jim and Linda remains secondary in the film as the real couple emerges as Crosby and Astaire. In addition to their skills in song and dance, the two have undeniable comedic talent. Even though Astaire portrays a scoundrel who continues to steal loves away from best friend Jim, it is impossible to hate any character he may portray. The two effortlessly interact with each other as perfect comedic and professional foils.
Astaire's highlight occurs on the evening of the Independence Day show. After Linda becomes "sidetracked" and he is left without a dancing partner, Ted improvises a tap performance using an array of firecrackers and explosives. The result is a rapid-fire, rhythmically perfect dance that comes from the genius of Astaire's mind and took 38 takes to perfect.
"White Christmas," often characterized as a Christmas movie, happens to feature all the holidays of the year. When famous singer Jim Hardy (Crosby) tires of endlessly performing, he leaves his act partner Ted Hanover (Astaire) - who also steals his fiancée - and opens an inn in Connecticut. Instead of only getting holidays off like in his entertainment career, Jim decides that his inn will only be open on holidays and each holiday will bring a spectacular, themed floor show. Jim hires flower shop girl Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds) to headline the shows and, after falling in love with her, struggles to keep Ted from whisking away yet another girl in order to secure a stable dancing partner.
The romance of Jim and Linda remains secondary in the film as the real couple emerges as Crosby and Astaire. In addition to their skills in song and dance, the two have undeniable comedic talent. Even though Astaire portrays a scoundrel who continues to steal loves away from best friend Jim, it is impossible to hate any character he may portray. The two effortlessly interact with each other as perfect comedic and professional foils.
Astaire's highlight occurs on the evening of the Independence Day show. After Linda becomes "sidetracked" and he is left without a dancing partner, Ted improvises a tap performance using an array of firecrackers and explosives. The result is a rapid-fire, rhythmically perfect dance that comes from the genius of Astaire's mind and took 38 takes to perfect.