Bing Crosby is Christmas. Hearing his voice should immediately set off a panic that the house hasn’t been properly decorated. Where’s the tree, the fake snow and the inflatable Santa fighting the Grinch lawn ornament? He’s more of an announcer of the season than the Angel Gabriel. How many times have you heard from relatives how they just don’t make Christmas specials like Bing hosted with his family? For the longest time Bing’s version of “White Christmas” was the largest selling 45 single. The man owned the holiday like Guy Lombardo controlled New Year’s Eve. While the song was the centerpiece of Bing’s Holiday Inn in 1942, he was not against cinematically reprising the signature tune. White Christmas brings back the holiday warmth with a whole new supporting cast nearly a dozen years later.
The action starts in the middle of a war zone when the U.S. troops want to enjoy a little singing on Christmas Eve. Leave it to Bing to stand on a surreal stage in the midst of a devastated town to sing “White Christmas” while bombs go off in the distance. The visiting general isn’t fond of this distraction from the war. Danny Kaye falls on a verbal grenade when the general demands to know who did this. Later he does more than a symbolic save Bing’s life. This bond sticks them together tighter than brothers. The duo keep up their act when the return to America. Their song and dance routines make them a major success on the club circuit. This isn’t a purely holiday movie since it’s more about show biz life.
Things get emotionally tricky when they arrive in Miami to scout a singing sister act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Allen). Danny senses that Bing ought to be in love with Rosemary, but the crooner is too caught up in work to notice his heart is fluttering. Danny must plot with Vera-Allen to force Cupid’s arrow. There’s a bit of weirdness when Bing and Danny have to fill in for the sisters at the club. This semi-drag routine is the most liveliest of all the performances. Danny swats Bing with a fan. The last part of the film has Bing and Danny reunite with their old general. Turns out the guy made the unwise plan to open up a hotel in Vermont. The warm winter is about to bankrupt him. The duo team up with the sisters in the hopes of creating a show that will make the resort the Las Vegas of New England. While this doesn’t feel that realistic, it matches the unreal tone of the action throughout the film. What matters most is that Bing gives us more heartwarming moments in seasonal songs.
White Christmas was directed by Michael Curtiz. The prolific director was noted more for his action and war-time flicks like Adventures of Robin Hood and Casablanca. He does bring his eye to capturing the dashing mania of Danny Kaye. Curtiz makes sure that no matter how goofy the script feels, the songs keep viewers happy. Crosby keeps the ladies swooning with his crooning way. He makes sure that no matter what time of the year is being depicted on the screen, it feels like Christmas is around the corner.
The video is 1.78:1 anamorphic. The transfer was made off the VistaVision 35mm so it looks really sharp with the extra detail from the larger frame. The 1080p imagine brings another level of Bing Crosby into your living room this holiday season. The reds will pop your eyes. The audio tracks include a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 along with a Dolby Digital Mono of the original mix. Either one works well. This wasn’t made back in the days of dynamic soundtracks. Purists will stick with the mono. There are mono dubs in French, Spanish and Portuguese. The subtitles are in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese,
Commentary by Rosemary Clooney was done before her passing in 2002. She gives a little insight, but most of the time she’s enjoying watching the songs and dance numbers.
Backstage Stories (11:56) has historians pointing out that original this was to star Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. Fred bailed on the project cause he was getting to old for these kind of films. Danny Kaye’s casting was approved by Berlin. They breakdown the fan slap scene.
Rosemary’s Old Kentucky Home (13:26) takes us to Augusta Kentucky to her old place. Nick Clooney gives the tour. The place faces the Ohio River.
Bing Crosby: Christmas Crooner (14:16) gets him described as the voice of Christmas.
Danny Kaye: Joy to the World (13:10) features his daughter and other praise his talent. He did everything in entertainment including flying jets and owning a baseball team (Seattle Mariners). They take us to his childhood Brooklyn neighborhood.
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (7:22) revives the singing of Debby Boone. It breaks down how Berlin composed the holiday classic. They expose the cut verse.
White Christmas: From Page to Stage (4:21) guides how they turned the film into a Broadway musical. This is a major plug for the show.
White Christmas: A Look Back with Rosemary Clooney (16:46) was made before her passing. She gives her memories of the production. This was featured on previous home video releases.
Theatrical Trailers contains the original release and the re-release.
Holiday Song Downloads are for eight tunes. This offer is good till April 30, 2011.
White Christmas is a great way to celebrate your new HDTV and Blu-ray player this holiday season. The 1080p image revives Bing Crosby’s seasonal standard. Danny Kaye’s face gains another level of expression in the clarity. The bonus features from the previous edition have been carried over along with the addition of new pieces. White Christmas is a sweet way to prepare for the big day.
Paramount Home Entertainment presents White Christmas. Directed by: Michael Curtiz. Starring: Bing Cosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney. Music by: Irving Berlin. Running time: 120 minutes. Rating: G. Released on Blu-ray: November 2, 2010.
