Holiday Inn

Jim:  "Lila's back in New York.  I got a letter from her yesterday."

Ted:  "What happened to her millionaire?"

Jim:  "Slight mistake there.  He didn't own millions, he owed them."

Ted:  "Poor girl.  Always straying to greener pastures and finding spinach."

Bing Crosby sings "White Christmas" courtesy http://basementrejects.com/review/holiday-inn-1942/

Holiday Inn is actually the prequel to the movie White Christmas.  The film stars Bing Crosby as Jim Hardy and Fred Astaire as his partner Ted Hanover and Virginia Dale as Lila.  The trio runs a musical act in New York City.  On Christmas Eve, Jim plans to retire from the act and move to a Connecticut farm with his fiancee, Lila.  However, at the last minute Lila says she has fallen in loved with Ted.  Jim pursues his plan despite Lila's bombshell.

https://reneelouise21.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/

After a year, Jim returns to New York City saying that he has struggled to make ends meet as a farmer and wants to turn his barn into a "holiday inn".  He is searching for talent to fill his inn.  On Christmas Day singer Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds) shows up at the inn.  Smitten by her, Jim plays his new tune "White Christmas".  In the meantime, Ted is crushed when Lila announces she is leaving him for a Texas millionaire.  He meets Linda and discovers that he too is falling in love with the singer.  The ensuing year unrolls at the inn with shows staged at the following holidays:

• Lincoln's Birthday (Ted is searching for Linda, but Jim disguises her in his act)
• Valentine's Day (Jim serenades Linda with "Be Careful It's My Heart")
• Washington's Birthday (Ted asks Linda to be his new dance partner)
• Easter (Irving Berlin's Easter Parade is performed)
• Independence Day (Ted & Linda are offered a deal in Hollywood)
• Thanksgiving (irritated that Jim has tried to interfere with her Hollywood offer, she takes the job despite his wishes;  Jim, depressed, can't touch his Thanksgiving dinner; Jim's maid implores him to travel to California to win Linda back)
• Christmas Eve (Jim revives his rendition of White Christmas, accompanied by Linda; they live happily ever after at Holiday Inn)

http://www.cornel1801.com/videosong/Holiday-Inn-Happy-Holiday/moviesong.html

Going My Way

"Hail, Alma Mater, thy time-honoured halls shall echo with our praise till we die, and round our hearts are the ivy coloured of East St. Louis High." (Father O'Malley)

                         https://lightscameraclassics.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/going-my-way/


Going My Way, starring Bing Crosby, is the prequel to the famous Christmas movie, Bells of St. Mary's.  A young priest from St. Louis named Father O'Malley, played by Bing Crosby, arrives at an old parish in downtown Manhattan.  The old priest whom he is replacing, Father Fitzgibbon, is doubtful that Father O'Malley can resurrect the fledgling parish.  The two men clash on several occasions. However, O'Malley comes through when he inspires the youth of the congregation by starting a thriving children's choir, even recruiting some local gang members.  Father Fitzgibbon gains a new respect for the young priest and the two eventually get along famously.

Just when things seem to be falling into place, the church suffers a massive fire.  O'Malley is reassigned to a new parish.  However, before leaving, he manages to arrange a secret reunion of Father Fitzgibbon and his mother from Ireland, whom he hasn't seen in 45 years.

The movie is filled with music sung by the crooner Crosby including Silent Night, Ave Maria and the title song, Going My Way.  The movie, which debuted in 1944, earned ten Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor.

http://www.geocities.jp/ikoi97/music/movie/goingmyway.htm

The Bells of St. Mary's

"The Bells of St. Mary's" premiered in December of 1945 and starred Bing Crosby as Father O'Malley and Ingrid Bergman as Sister Benedict, two teachers trying to save their run-down parochial school from the wrecking ball.  Father O'Malley is new to the school and believes in liberal theories of teaching; Sister Benedict, on the other hand, has been instructing at the school for years and believes in firm discipline. One early scene involves the priest introducing himself to the sisters and as he speaks, he's puzzled at why everyone is laughing; a kitten has jumped into his hat sitting on the piano behind him.

Another funny scene involves Sister Benedict, in her habit, training student Eddie in the art of "pugilism", after he was tripped by the school bully.  Father Benedict helps a weaker student named Patsy with her essay, and after some prodding, discovers that her mother and father are estranged; the priest relocates Patsy's dad and brings the couple back together again.

The cutest scene of "The Bells of St. Mary's" occurs at Christmas time.  The Grade 1 class prepares a pageant in which they sing Happy Birthday to baby Jesus, played by the younger sibling of one of the students.  Rather than remaining in the manger, "toddler" Jesus keeps jumping out.

In the meantime, their neighbour, Mr. Bogardus, has built an office building next door and dreams of St. Mary's being torn down so he can build a parking lot.  However, Sister Benedict has been praying that Mr. Bogardus will donate the building to the parish to use as their new school.  The crotchety businessman goes to the doctor who diagnoses him with a bad heart.  What is the prescription?  Give with your heart and it will be full (and healthy).

"The Bells of St. Mary's" received eight Academy Award nominations and became a staple in American cinematography.



Photo courtesy http://cf1.imgobj.com.

White Christmas

"Snow!  It won't be long before we'll all be there with snow.

Snow!  I want to wash my hands and face in snow."

I'll never forget the first time my husband Rob watched the movie "White Christmas"; he would crack up everytime Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen broke into song.  Yes, the movie is corny, but it's the corniness that makes it so endearing:  the corny songs, the corny sets, the corny plots.  The opening scene takes place during Christmas of 1944 in battle-torn Europe when a building is about to fall on Bing Crosby's character, Bob Wallace, and Danny Kaye's character, Phil Davis, saves him at the last second.  Forever after, the former is beholden to the latter and he never lets him forget it.

After the war, Wallace & Davis start a song and dance act and become famous on the radio and on Broadway.  They meet a female act in Florida, the sisters of an army buddy named Freckle-Faced Haynes, and listen to their floor show ("Sisters").  After an impromptu dance to "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing" between Phil and Vera-Ellen's character, Judy, the sisters are charged with damaging their hotel room rug and make a hasty exit, with help from the men.

http://diaryofacelluloidgirl.blogspot.ca/2010_11_01_archive.html

Matchmaker Phil learns that the women are travelling to Vermont to do a stage show for Christmas and he talks his friend into going along.  Boarding the train, the foursome gets to know each other better in the dining car, as they cozy up in a booth and sing "Snow".  Arriving in Pine Tree, Vermont, the entertainers are surprised to see greenery everywhere:  it has not snowed for weeks.  At the inn, Phil and Bob discover that the owner is their old commanding general from the army.  General Waverly is sinking into debt after investing all of his money into an inn that has no customers due to the lack of snow.  Bob and Phil wrack their brains to find a way to bring patrons into the inn.

 http://cincinnati.com.

Meanwhile, Bob and Betty grow closer by the fire munching a midnight snack, singing "Count Your Blessings".  Nosy housekeeper Emma eavesdrops on a conversation between Bob and Ed Harrison, a variety show host, who suggests that they invite all of the soldiers formerly under General Waverly's command to the inn and film the evening, giving Bob and Phil free advertising for their act.  Emma fails to hear the rest of the conversation (Bob rejects the host's angle) and blabs to Judy who assumes Bob is just an opportunist.

At a rehearsal party that night, Bob and Betty argue, prompting Phil and Judy to announce a phony engagement, hoping that the news will make Betty realize her baby sister is taken care of and now she is free to settle down.  The move backfires and Betty accepts a job offer in New York City.  Bob follows her there and sits in the audience listening to a black-velvet gowned Betty sing "Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me".  Later, he reveals to her that Phil and Judy's engagement is phony.

http://www.glamamor.com/2012/12/cinema-style-file-signature-edith-head.html

In the meantime, Bob asks Ed Harrison to announce on his show that night that all of the soldiers formerly under General Waverly's command should go to the Vermont Inn on Christmas Eve as a show of support to the general and his failing business.  Phil fakes an injured ankle to prevent General Waverly from watching "The Ed Harrison Show" that evening.  Meanwhile, Betty realizes the real reason that Bob is getting Ed Harrison in on the act and races back to Pine Tree just in time for the show.

Back at the ski lodge, columns of soldiers fall into line as they sing a rousing rendition of "The Old Man" for General Waverly, bringing a tear to his eye.  After the song, he gives them an inspection for old times' sake, criticizing them in one breath and then saying what a beautiful sight they are in the next breath.  The movie closes with snow falling outside the inn.  The two couples, dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, declare their love for each other as they sing:  "May your days be merry and bright.  And may all your Christmases be white."

http://www.glamamor.com/2012/12/cinema-style-file-signature-edith-head.html

Katherine Kennicott Davis' "Little Drummer Boy"

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum

A newborn king to see, pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum

To lay before the king, pa rum pum pum pum

rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum.

Katherine Kennicott Davis wrote her first composition at the age of 15.  She studied at the New England Conservatory of Music as well as a Paris school.  Although she has written over 600 compositions, perhaps her most famous is "Little Drummer Boy," performed by dozens of recording artists over the years.  The carol, originally titled "Carol of the Drum" in 1941, is based on the Biblical verse Isaiah 1:3.  It talks about a little boy who is invited by the Three Magi to visit the baby Jesus.  While the Magi have fine gifts like gold, frankincense and myrhh, the poor drummer boy has nothing fit for a king.  But he does have talent:  he plays a song on his drum for the baby Jesus.  

Some say the story is similar to that of a 12th Century legend told by Anatole France called Le Jongelur de Notre Dame (Our Lady's Juggler).  Legend goes that a juggler juggled the a statue of Mary.  Mary was so pleased that she smiled at him and threw him a rose.

The Trapp Family Singers of The Sound of Music fame, first recorded the song for Decca Records in 1955.  But it wasn't until 1958, when the Harry Simeone Chorale recorded the carol, that it first came to prominence, topping the charts for four successive years.  The album, originally titled "Carol of the Drum" was reissued as "The Little Drummer Boy:  A christmas Festival" a few years later. 

In 1977, Bing Crosby and David Bowie did a duet of "Peace on Earth" and "Little Drummer Boy" on Crosby's last television Christmas special.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Drummer_Boy

Noel Regney & Gloria Shayne's "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

Said the night wind to the little lamb,

Do you see what I see

Way up in the sky, little lamb,

Do you see what I see

A star, a star, dancing in the night

With a tail as big as a kite

With a tail as big as a kite.

In October of 1962, Noel Regney walked down the street in Manhattan, discouraged and disillusioned.  The world was on the brink of war:  America and the U.S.S.R. were arguing over missiles recently built in Cuba, aimed at the United States.  Rather than enjoying the autumn colours in their backgrounds, people were building bomb shelters.  The tension was so real, they could feel it.

Noel Regney was no stranger to war.  Born and raised in France, he had been drafted by the Germany Army during the Second World War.  Unbeknownst to the Germans, he went underground as part of the French Resistance.  Wounded during the war, some suspect he was hit by the French, to protect his identity from the Germans.

Noel Regney survived the war and in 1952, he immigrated to the United States.  The composer was smitten by a young singer named Gloria Shayne.  After a whirlwind courtship, the couple married.  Shayne was a talented lyricist, Noel a talented composer, so the two teamed up to write songs.  "Rain, Rain Go Away" was one of their trademark tunes.

However, in October of 1962, their arrangement changed.  As Noel walked down the Manhattan streets with a heavy heart, he looked up and spotted two babies in carriages.  He was struck by their joy and innocence.  They gave him hope.  Back at his apartment, he started to compose a Christmas song about the hope that the two babies brought, despite the world being on the brink of war.  Noel's wife, Gloria, wrote the music.  Do You Hear What I Hear? was the result.

"Pray for peace, people everywhere" became Noel's plea.  The two babies became the "little lamb".  "A star in the night" brought hope.  A "child sleeping in the night", the baby Jesus, brought "goodness and light".  Noel and Gloria struggled to perform the song at first, explaining:  "Our little song broke us up.  You must realize there was a threat of nuclear war."

The carol was first recorded on Thanksgiving of 1962 by the Harry Simeone Chorale.  However, it was Bing Crosby who made it a hit with his recording of October 1963 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuE_DXrt2Js)  The carol was by far the biggest hit for Noel and Gloria Regney.   

The Cuban Missile Crisis was resolved after a few weeks, in large part thanks to President John F. Kennedy's levelheadedness and diplomacy (see http://alinefromlinda.blogspot.ca/2012/10/october-14.html and http://alinefromlinda.blogspot.ca/2015/09/the-cuban-missile-crisis-kennedys.html).  Sadly, the President didn't get to enjoy the peace that resulted as he was assassinated only a year later in November of 1963.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diYQnZFLBY0

Irving Berlin's "White Christmas"

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

Just like the ones I used to know

Where the treetops glisten

and children listen

To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

Last night my husband, daughter and I were treated to a Christmas concert at my son's school, Hamilton District Christian High.  For a small school, they have some big talent.  A quarter of the student body was up on stage singing,  harmonizing, playing and even dancing up a storm.  We were treated to a classic rendition of I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas featuring an introductory solo by my son, Thomas.  He did Bing Crosby proud! 

Even though I watch the movie White Christmas every year, I didn't realize that the song has an introductory verse, one not performed in the film. 

The sun is shining, the grass is green

The orange and palm trees sway.

There's never been such a day

In Beverly Hills, L.A.

But it's December the twenty-forth --

And I'm longing to be up North.

I decided to research the history of the song.  According to the Guinness Book of World Records, I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas is the best selling single of all time, selling 100 million copies over the past several decades.  Legend has it that, in 1940, composer Irving Berlin was staying at the La Quinta Hotel in California when he was inspired to write the song.  That would explain the introduction which talks about Beverly Hills and L.A.  Apparently, Berlin made it a habit of staying up late at night and composing tunes. 

Bing Crosby's rendition of I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas was first recorded on NBC's radio show The Kraft Music Hall on Christmas Day in 1941.  A second version was recorded by Decca Records in 1942, again with Bing Crosby.  That was the year that Crosby sang the song in the film Holiday Inn.  Surprisingly, though, it was Be Careful It's My Heart that overshadowed White Christmas at first.  The song did resonate with listeners, however, and within a short time, it sat at #1 on the Billboard charts, returning to the position in 1945 and again in 1946.

Twelve years after Holiday Inn premiered, White Christmas made its debut on the silver screen, starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen.  Thanks in large part to the Irving Berlin score, White Christmas, featuring the song I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas, became the highest grossing film of 1954.  Just as the song had resonated with listeners, the movie resonated with the audience. 

Since the original recording, the song has been recorded by over 500 singers.  Some have included the introductory verse including Barbra Streisand, Karen Carpenter and Bette Midler.  Many people still prefer Bing Crosby's version.  Ironically, Crosby gives all the credit to Irving Berlin.  "A jackdaw with a cleft palate could have sung it successfully," claimed the crooner. 

Note:  A play was written in the early 2000's which is being performed at the Dunfield Theatre in Cambridge, Ontario this month. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Christmas_(song)

http://www.metrolyrics.com/white-christmas-lyrics-bing-crosby.html

White Christmas Rakes in the Green

Here are ten facts you may not know about the movie "White Christmas".

1.  The song "White Christmas", though made famous by the movie, was first performed by Bing Crosby thirteen years earlier on the radio show "Kraft Music Hall".

2.  Danny Kaye's role was intended for dancer/actor Fred Astaire who declined it.

3.  A 25 year age gap existed between Bing Crosby (51) and his love interest in the movie, Rosemary Clooney (26).

4.  Vera Ellen only danced in the movie.  Her dubbed songs were actually sung by Rosemary Clooney and Trudy Stevens.

5.  The Haynes sisters' brother, Freckle Face Haynes never appears in any scenes.  The audience does see his photograph, however, which is a picture of actor Carl "Alfafa" Switzer.

6.  Vera Ellen danced with the New York City Rockettes at the tender age of 18.

7.  "White Christmas" features beautiful costumes designed by Edith Head.

8.  "White Christmas" was by the far the biggest box office bonanza of 1954, raking in $12 million.

9.  The Vermont inn featured in the movie was the refurbished inn from another Bing Crosby film, Holiday Inn.

10.  Prominent dancer George Charkiris, who dances with the Haynes sisters, later went on to win a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in West Side Story.

Source:  http://www.buzzfeed.com/katieheaney/15-things-you-didnt-know-about-white-christmas#.vbAmOpNGk.

For more information, read my post "White Christmas" at http://alinefromlinda.blogspot.ca/2011/12/white-christmas.html.

"White Christmas" still courtesy blogspot.com.