Reviewer's Rating 3 out of 5
Holiday Inn (1942)
U

Linda Mason has crooner Jim Hardy head over heels in love with her - however, when smooth dancer Ted Hanover appears on the scene seeking a new dance partner, complications arise. Hardy's supper club "Holiday Inn" sets the scene for the love triangle that unfolds and allows for a few songs-and-dance routines at the same time.

Music is definitely the key here, as the plot is distinctly thin, and the pairing of Crosby and Astaire, does not work as well as it could have. Crosby sings his way through "White Christmas" for the first time here, while Astaire tries to make do with a dancing partner - Marjorie Reynolds - who cannot replace Ginger Rogers. There are some high points, such as Astaire's firecracker dance routine, and in its original black and white form it is in many ways, still preferable to the brash Technicolor of "White Christmas" that was to follow.

Despite not being the success it could have been, this can still inspire a festive glow. Irving Berlin's songs are always a joy to listen to, and while none of the stars sparkle as they could do there is gentle warmth to it and an element of romance, which brings out the Christmas spirit. Primarily though, any film which features "White Christmas" is going to hit a high note at that point, even if it is just being crooned by Crosby. Sometimes, that's exactly the way it should be.

End Credits

Director: Mark Sandrich

Writer: Irving Berlin, Claude Binyon

Stars: Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, Virginia Dale

Genre: Musical, Classic

Length: 100 minutes

Cinema: 1942

Country: USA

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