WHITE CHRISTMAS

US, 1954, 120 minutes, Colour.
Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera Ellen, Dean Jagger, Mary Wickes.
Directed by Michael Curtiz.

White Christmas is a pleasant Colour Vistavision spectacular remake of the Bing Crosby-Fred? Astaire musical of 1941 Holiday Inn. Bing Crosby is here again but with Danny Kaye, supported by the attractive Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen.

It has a post-World War II setting and is nostalgic and patriotic about the war. The usual musical numbers are staged by veteran director Michael Curtiz. Of interest, George Chakiris appears in the chorus of one of Rosemary Clooney's songs. It pre-dates by some years his success in 'West Side Story'. Conventional. pleasant musical entertainment.

1. An entertaining musical? The impact and style of the musical of the 50s?

2. The blend of Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, Vera Ellen and Rosemary Clooney? In the 50s, in retrospect? Nostalgia for their comedy, musical styles? The importance of Irving Berlin's music? The style of singing, the popularity of 'White Christmas'? 'Sisters' and the other songs?

3. Colour, music, choreography, staging of the songs?

4. Audience response to the old-fashioned plot? Old-fashioned characters and types? Conventional romance? Optimism?

5. The importance of the war setting for the 50s? Now? The opening and the initial concert, General Waverley, American morale, the war itself? The scene with Phil saving Bob and the way that it was used ever afterwards?

6. The collage of their success together with their song? Phil pressurising Bob, appealing to his saving his life?

7. The introduction of Judy and Betty? Their relationship with their brother, Judy as contriving everything for the audition? Their differing personalities? Attractive? Singing, difficulties, the train trip, the winter holiday, Vermont? Characterisation? The characterisation of Phil and Bob, Danny Kay's style, Bing Crosby's style? The interaction?

8. The accident of coming across General Waverley? His resort, no snow? The kindness to him and the general goodwill and optimism - with the Christmas setting?

9. Audience entertainment with the plans for bringing the show to Vermont, the rehearsals, the rehearsals as an occasion for staging the songs? The TV appeal? Nobility of motives?

10. The humour with Judy and Phil and their plans for pushing Bob and Betty together? Success, the irony of the lack of their success? The humour of their engagement?

11. The importance of the mistakes, Betty's misjudging of Bob? Her behaviour, clashes, Bob as a knight and worrying about regaining her approval? The happy resolution?

12. The appropriate happy ending? The appeal of this kind of conventional material to audiences? Nostalgia? Optimism?