Saturday, December 5, 2009

Holiday Inn

As promised, it is time for our first movie of the week!  It wasn't easy trying to come up with the first of our series.  There are so many favorites and so many greats to choose from.  Where to begin?  But with the holidays in full swing, Zeus and I put up our Christmas tree.  And decorating for the holidays always makes me want to see my favorite holiday movies.  So, we might as well start there.

One movie that always gets me in the spirit is Holiday Inn starring Fred Astaire as Ted Hanover, Bing Crosby as Jim Hardy, and Marjorie Reynolds as Linda Mason.  Ted and Jim are a popular song-and-dance duo at a nightclub.  After retiring to a farmhouse in New England, Jim opens it up to the public as an Inn, but only on major holidays.  Linda Mason joins him and not only becomes part of his live entertainment act for guests, but his love interest as well.  Ted comes to visit Jim's inn and becomes determined to make Linda his new dance partner.  And so begins the love triangle.

As an Irving Berlin musical, this movie is full of great numbers.  Fun fact: the popular Christmas song, "White Christmas", was first introduced in Holiday Inn.  In addition to Bing Crosby's crooning, Fred Astaire has two exceptional numbers.  The first being his "Drunk Dance" with Marjorie Reynolds.  Story goes he took a shot before each take and they did 7 takes.  The final take was the one used in the movie.



The second, and perhaps the more well-known, is his 4th of July number in which he throws firecrackers on the floor.  



All in all, a fun film with good music and superb dancing.  Cozy up on the couch, grab some hot chocolate, and enjoy!

2 comments:

Gianna Paniagua said...

This is one of my all-time favourites. I think you have reminded me to watch my first holiday movie of the season.

Margie said...

Absolutely the best choice for #1 on the list! Of course I'm partial to Astaire films. His stage settings could have been the most glamorous but my eyes would only stay on him as I was swept into his arms imagining that I was dancing with my handsome idol. Yes, handsome eyes and smile. I can only imagine how challenging it was for the camera person to follow the master - trying to get his graceful movements and fancy footwork while also including shots of his facial expressions only when he was still for a moment. I love Fred Astaire (even in black & white). I love Holiday Inn (what a classic). BRAVO!!!

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