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Holiday Inn(film)

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Holiday Inn
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMark Sandrich
Screenplay byClaude Binyon
Elmer Rice(adaptation)
Story byIrving Berlin
Produced byMark Sandrich
Starring
CinematographyDavid Abel
Edited byEllsworth Hoagland
Music byIrving Berlin
Production
company
Paramount Pictures
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • August 4, 1942(1942-08-04)
Running time
100 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$3.75 million (U.S. and Canada rentals)[1]

Holiday Innis a 1942 Americanmusical filmstarringBing CrosbyandFred Astaire,withMarjorie Reynolds,Virginia Dale,andWalter Abel.[2]It was directed byMark Sandrichwith music byIrving Berlin.The composer wrote twelve songs specifically for the film, the best known being "White Christmas".The film features a complete reuse of the song"Easter Parade",written by Berlin for the 1933 Broadway revueAs Thousands Cheerand used as a highlight of the 1948 filmEaster Parade,starring Astaire andJudy Garland.The film's choreography was byDanny Dare.[3]

The film received a 1943Academy Award for Best Original Song(Berlin's "White Christmas" ), as well as Academy Award nominations forBest Score(Robert Emmett Dolan) and Best Original Story (Irving Berlin).[4]

Plot

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Jim Hardy, Ted Hanover, and Lila Dixon have a popular New York Citysong and danceact. On Christmas Eve, Jim prepares for his final performance before marrying Lila and retiring on a farm inConnecticut.Lila tells Jim she has fallen in love with the notorious charmer Ted instead; heartbroken, Jim bids them goodbye.

He tries to make a go of working the farm, but ends up in asanatoriuminstead. The following Christmas Eve, Jim is back in New York City with plans to turn his farm into "Holiday Inn," an entertainment venue open only on holidays, to the amusement of Ted and his agent Danny Reed. In a flower shop, Danny is pitched by sales girl and aspiring performer Linda Mason; he steers her to Holiday Inn and Ted's club. Later that night, Linda and Jim accidentally meet at a performance by Ted and Lila. Jim pretends to own a rival club, while Linda postures as a celebrity friend of Ted's, only to flee when Ted and Lila approach.

On Christmas Day, Linda arrives at Holiday Inn and meets Jim, the pair immediately realizing their deception. Jim sings her his new song, "White Christmas".

On New Year's Eve, Holiday Inn opens to a packed house. Back in New York City, Ted learns that Lila is leaving him for a Texas millionaire. Drinking heavily, he arrives at Holiday Inn at midnight and literally stumbles into Linda. They dance and bring down the house, which believes it all to be a polished act. Danny arrives and is ecstatic that Ted has found a new partner, but in the morning, Ted does not remember Linda. Jim hides her, afraid Ted will steal her away.

OnLincoln's Birthday,Ted and Danny search for Linda, but Jim convinces Linda to play theminstrel shownumber "Abraham" inblackfacetogether to foil them. While applying Linda's makeup, Jim asks her to stay there with him between holidays, which she interprets as a proposal. He affirms it but equivocates that only when he can afford to. Leaving empty-handed, Ted and Danny plan to return.

Rehearsing forValentine's Day,Jim presents Linda with a new song, "Be Careful, It's My Heart". Ted arrives and launches into an impromptu dance with Linda. Recognizing her from New Year's Eve, he demands that Jim prepare them a number to perform in the next show.

OnWashington's Birthday,Ted and Linda dance in elaborate 18th-century period costumes, with Jim sabotaging their tempo from aminuettojazzthroughout. Linda refuses Ted's offer to become his dance partner, saying that she and Jim are to be married. When Ted asks him about the engagement, Jim plays it off, but Ted is unconvinced.

AtEaster,romance blossoms between Jim and Linda. They are met by Ted, who asks to remain in Jim's shows to experience "the true happiness" they have found. Linda is charmed, but Jim is suspicious.

Jim's apprehensions are confirmed onIndependence Day,when he overhears Ted and Danny's bringing a pair ofHollywoodrepresentatives to audition Ted and Linda for motion pictures from that night's show. Jim bribes teamster Gus to stall Linda, who ends up driving the pair into a creek. Linda gets picked up on the roadside by Lila. Having left the penniless "millionaire", she crows that she will be Ted's partner that night for the studio tryout. Assuming that Jim made the switch to keep her from leaving, Linda directs Lila into the creek.

At the inn, Ted is forced to improvise a solo, a fireworks-studdedtap danceroutine. Linda arrives, irritated that Jim did not trust her to make her own decision. She joins Ted, Hollywood-bound. Jim reluctantly agrees to let the eager producers make a film about Holiday Inn, but vows not to leave the Inn.

Thanksgivingfinds the Inn closed, and Jim wallowing in self-pity. As he prepares to mail his new song, his housekeeper Mamie implores him to fight to win Linda back.

Jim arrives in California on Christmas Eve, just as Ted and Linda plan to marry. Jim confronts Ted in his dressing room, gets locked in, then turns the table on Ted and Danny. On the set of Linda's movie, a meticulous recreation of Holiday Inn, Jim leaves his pipe on the piano and hides as Linda enters and performs "White Christmas". Reflexively ringing tiny bells with it as he did, she falters, then continues waveringly as Jim's voice joins her. Jim appears and Linda runs to him.

Back at Holiday Inn on New Year's Eve, Ted is reunited with Lila. Jim and Linda sing a duet, affirming their love.

Cast

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Production

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TheParamount Theatrein Manhattan presented the world premiere ofHoliday Innon August 4, 1942, as part of a benefit forNavy Relief.[5]

In May 1940,Irving Berlinsigned an exclusive contract withParamount Picturesto write songs for amusical filmbased on his idea of aninnthat opened only on public holidays. Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire were the stars ofHoliday Innwith support fromMarjorie ReynoldsandVirginia Dale.Filming took place between November 18, 1941, and January 30, 1942. Produced and directed by Mark Sandrich,Holiday Innhad its premiere at the New York CityParamount TheatreAugust 4, 1942.[6]It was a success in the US and the UK, the highest-grossing film musical to that time. It was expected that "Be Careful, It's My Heart" would be the hit song. While it did very well, "White Christmas" topped the charts in October 1942 instead, and stayed there for eleven weeks. Another Berlin song, "Happy Holiday",is featured over the opening credits and within the film storyline.[citation needed]

Filming outside the studio occurred at the Village Inn Resort inMonte Rioon theRussian River,inSonoma County, California.[7]

Many segments of the film are preceded by shots of a calendar with a visual symbol of the given holiday. For November, an animated turkey is shown running back and forth between the third and fourth Thursdays, finally shrugging its shoulders in confusion. This is a satirical reference to the "Franksgiving"controversy created when PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelttried to expand the Christmas shopping season by declaring Thanksgiving a week earlier than before, leading to Congress setting Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November by law.[citation needed]

TheJapanese attack on Pearl Harborin Hawaii occurred halfway through filming. As a result, the Fourth of July segment was expanded beyond Fred Astaire's firecracker dance to include the patriotic number that highlights the strength of the US military.[8]

Music

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"White Christmas"

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Main article:White Christmas (song)
"White Christmas" (Decca Records 1942)

The song that would become "White Christmas"was conceived by Berlin on the set of the filmTop Hatin 1935. He hummed the melody to Astaire and the film's directorMark Sandrichas a song possibility for a future Astaire-Ginger Rogersvehicle. Astaire loved the tune, but Sandrich passed on it. Berlin's assignment for Paramount was to write a song about each of the major holidays of the year. He found that writing a song about Christmas was the most challenging, due to his Jewish upbringing.[9]When Crosby first heard Berlin play "White Christmas" in 1941 at the first rehearsals, he did not immediately recognize its full potential. Crosby simply said: "I don't think we have any problems with that one, Irving."

Although "White Christmas" has become iconic, this was not the original intention. The song "Be Careful, It's My Heart", played during the Valentine's Day section of the film, was originally intended to be a bigger hit when production ofHoliday Inncommenced.

The song is used during the Christmas holiday sections of the movie, most notably when it is introduced to Linda Mason (Reynolds) by Jim Hardy (Crosby) while she is trying to obtain a position in the shows at the inn. Hardy begins playing the song to her allowing her to join him and eventually perform solo. The song is also reprised near the end of the movie.Chrysotileasbestoswas used to make the fake snow used in this scene.[10]

Song releases

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Main article:Song Hits from Holiday Inn
Song Hits from Holiday Inn(Decca Records 1942)

Full-length studio recordings of the film's songs, differing slightly from those in the movie, were made for commercial release. Initially issued on78rpm records,they were later collected onLP,cassetteandCD.

Soundtrack

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Album cover ofSoundtrack from Holiday Inn

Soundtrack from Holiday Innis a soundtrack album of Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire singing Irving Berlin songs that were taken directly fromHoliday Inn.This soundtrack was first released onvinyl LP.These songs differ slightly and are often faster to save time thanthe ones released to the publicon 78 rpmphonograph records.

It was not until 1979, 37 years after the making of the film, that a full soundtrack was released on Sunbeam Records (STK-112) of the songs in the movie.[11]

In 2004, the Soundtrack Factory label released a soundtrack of the original recordings taken directly from the movie.[12]Martha Mears performed Marjorie Reynolds' singing in the movie, so it is she who is performing on this recording as well. All songs sung by Bing Crosby unless stated. The track list is:

  1. Main Title: Overture
  2. I'll Capture Your Heart Singing (with Fred Astaire & Virginia Dale)
  3. Lazy
  4. You're Easy to Dance With (Fred Astaire)
  5. White Christmas(with Marjorie Reynolds)
  6. Happy Holiday(with Marjorie Reynolds)
  7. Let's Start the New Year Right
  8. Abraham (with Marjorie Reynolds &Louise Beavers)
  9. Be Careful, It's My Heart
  10. I Can't Tell a Lie (Fred Astaire)
  11. Easter Parade
  12. Song of Freedom
  13. Let's Say It with Firecrackers (sung by chorus as Fred Astaire dances)
  14. I've Got Plenty to Be Thankful For
  15. Hollywood Medley
  16. White Christmas [second version] (with Marjorie Reynolds)
  17. Ending Medley (with Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds & Virginia Dale)
  18. Holiday Innmovie trailer (audio only - bonus track)

Home media

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Holiday Innwas first released onVHSandBetaformats in September 1981 byMCA Home Video,re-released in 1986 and again, on VHS only, in 1992.

It was first released onDVDpaired with another Crosby vehicle,Going My Way(1944). It added a trailer for each film and some text-based extras. This version is also available in many boxed set collections of holiday-themed or Crosby-themed movies.

In 2006, it was released as a single-disc "Special Edition" featuring a commentary byKen Barnes,with interspersed archival comments by Crosby and Astaire. It also includedA Couple of Song and Dance Men,a documentary on Astaire and Crosby;All-Singing All-Dancing,a featurette on audio recording of movie musicals; and a reissue theatrical trailer.

In 2008, it was released as a three-disc "Collector's Edition" containing the previous DVD and a second disc with a newly computer-colorizedversion andColoring a Classic,a featurette on the colorization. Also included was aCDof the 12-trackSong Hits from Holiday Innalbum, featuring original full-length studio recordings of the film's songs.

In 2014, it was released onBlu-rayas a single disc edition featuring both black and white and colorized versions and all previous DVD extras.

In 2017, it was released again on both formats, this time including a second disc featuring a performance of the 2016 Broadway adaptation.

Reception

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The film ranked No. 6 in the list oftop-grossing moviesfor 1942 in the US.

Theodore StraussofThe New York Timesdescribed it as "all very easy and graceful; it never tries too hard to dazzle; even in the rousing and topical Fourth of July number, it never commits a breach of taste by violently waving the flag. Instead, it has skipped back over the year in an affectionate and light-hearted spirit."[13]Varietycalled it "a winner all the way" with "sterling" performances by the male leads.[14]Harrison's Reportscalled it "a most delightful entertainment... The performances of the leading players are very good."[15]Film Dailydescribed it as "a completely satisfying musical filled with crisp comedy, fetching music, snappy dance routines, first-rate acting, smart story touches, and lavish and beautiful settings".[16]

On thereview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoes,100%of 25 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The website's consensus reads: "With the combined might of Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Irving Berlin working in its favor,Holiday Innis a seasonal classic—not least because it introduced 'White Christmas' to the world. "[17]

Legacy

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The success of the song "White Christmas" eventually led to another film based on the song,White Christmas(1954), which starred Crosby,Danny Kaye,Rosemary Clooney,andVera-Ellen.It was an extremely loose remake ofHoliday Inn,with a plot again involving an inn, but otherwise different from the earlier film. Fred Astaire was offered the second lead in the new film, but after reading the script, he declined. The role was then offered toDonald O'Connor,but he was injured before filming began.Danny Kayeultimately took the role.[citation needed]

In 2004, theAmerican Film InstitutelistedWhite Christmasat No. 5 in its100 Years...100 Songs.[18]

Acolorizedversion ofHoliday Innwas released by Universal on October 14, 2008. The colorization was done byLegend Films,which usedEdith Head’s sketch artist, Jan Muckelstone, as a color design consultant for costume authenticity.[citation needed]

The name of theHoliday Innhotel chain was inspired by the film.[19]The title of the film also inspired the 1946 renaming of a small 19th century inn inIntervale, New Hampshire.By right of precedence its owners were able to bar any other use of the name in that area of New Hampshire until they chose to relinquish it.[20]

Blackface controversy

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Beginning in the 1980s, some broadcasts of the film have entirely omitted the "Abraham" musical number, staged at the Inn forLincoln's Birthday,because of its depiction of ablackfaceminstrel show incorporating racist images and behaviors.[21]However, becauseTurner Classic Moviesairs films uncut and unedited, the network has left the "Abraham" number intact during their screenings ofHoliday Inn.AMCalso aired the film intact before it became an advertiser-supported channel. To avoid advertiser objections, the edited version now airs annually on AMC.[citation needed]

In 2018,British Prime MinisterTheresa MaynamedHoliday Innas her favorite Christmas film, causing controversy due to the blackface performance in the "Abraham" segment.[22][23]

Adaptations

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Holiday Innwas dramatized as a half-hour radio play on the January 11, 1943, CBS broadcast ofThe Screen Guild Theater,starring Crosby and Astaire withDinah Shore.[24]On December 15, 1952,The Railroad Hourpresented a half-hour adaption of the film. The episode starredGordon MacRaeandDorothy Warenskjold.[25]

In 2013, Universal Stage Productions, the live theater division ofUniversal Pictures,invitedGoodspeed Musicalsto develop a stage adaptation of the film. With book byGordon GreenbergandChad Hodge,music from the filmsHoliday InnandWhite Christmas(sinceViacomCBSthroughParamount Picturesnow remains and currently owns the rights for the 1954 adaptation of White Christmas) plus other Berlin songs, and directed by Greenberg, the musical premiered at theGoodspeed Opera HouseinEast Haddam, Connecticuton September 19, 2014.[26]TheRoundabout Theatre Companyproduction ofHoliday Innbegan previews onBroadwayatStudio 54on September 1, 2016, before the official opening on October 6. The cast includedBryce Pinkhamas Jim,Megan Lawrenceas Louise,Corbin Bleuas Ted, andLee Wilkofas Danny.[27][28]

See also

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References

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Notes

  1. ^"101 Pix Gross in Millions"Variety6 Jan 1943 p 58
  2. ^"Holiday Inn".Internet Movie Database.RetrievedSeptember 3,2012.
  3. ^Bookbinder 1977, p. 125.
  4. ^"Awards for Holiday Inn".Internet Movie Database.RetrievedSeptember 3,2012.
  5. ^"The Screen; Irving Berlin's 'Holiday Inn,' Co-Starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, Has Navy Benefit Premiere at Paramount".The New York Times.August 5, 1942.RetrievedDecember 11,2023.
  6. ^Rainho, Manny (August 2015). "This Month in Movie History".Classic Images(482): 24–26.
  7. ^"Locations for Holiday Inn".Internet Movie Database.RetrievedSeptember 3,2012.
  8. ^"Bing Crosby recorded Irving Berlin's song" White Christmas "today in 1942".Carl Leonard.RetrievedJuly 2,2014.
  9. ^"White Christmas".hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.
  10. ^Monaghan, Gabrielle (December 24, 2017)."White Christmases are becoming a daydream".The Times.ISSN0140-0460.RetrievedAugust 21,2018.
  11. ^"Bing Crosby & Fred Astaire – from the Original Sound Track" Holiday Inn "(1979, Vinyl)".Discogs.
  12. ^"Holiday Inn [Original Soundtrack] - Irving Berlin | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic".AllMusic.
  13. ^Strauss, Theodore (August 5, 1942)."Movie Review – Holiday Inn".The New York Times.RetrievedJanuary 7,2016.
  14. ^"Film Reviews".Variety.New York: Variety, Inc. June 17, 1942. p. 8.
  15. ^"'Holiday Inn' with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire ".Harrison's Reports:99. June 20, 1942.
  16. ^"Reviews of the New Films".Film Daily.New York: Wid's Films and Film Folk, Inc.: 6 June 15, 1942.
  17. ^"Holiday Inn".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango Media.Edit this at Wikidata
  18. ^"America's Greatest Music in the Movies"(PDF).American Film Institute.2004.RetrievedNovember 1,2016.
  19. ^Martin, Douglas (February 14, 2003)."Kemmons Wilson, 90, Dies; Was Holiday Inn Founder".The New York Times.RetrievedJanuary 7,2013.
  20. ^"Bartlett Historical Society".
  21. ^Mueller, John (1986).Astaire Dancing – The Musical Films.London: Hamish Hamilton. p. 205.ISBN0-241-11749-6.Mueller comments: "This scene, as well as the number which follows are often cut when the film is shown on television, presumably because of the offensiveness of the blackface"
  22. ^"Theresa May n-are nicio zi de liniște! Presa britanică a criticat-o vehement, după ce premierul a ales un film cu conotații rasiste drept preferatul ei de Crăciun".b1.ro(in Romanian). December 25, 2018.RetrievedDecember 25,2018.
  23. ^"Theresa May says her 'favourite Christmas film' is 1940s movie with blackface scene".The Independent.December 25, 2018.
  24. ^"Screen Guild Theatre, the: 'Holiday Inn' {Bing Crosby, Dinah Shore} (Radio)"paleycenter.org, accessed October 6, 2016
  25. ^"Those Were the Days".Nostalgia Digest.38(4): 36. Autumn 2012.
  26. ^"Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn"goodspeed.org
  27. ^Clement, Olivia (May 27, 2016)."See Who's Heading to the Holiday Inn on Broadway".Playbill.RetrievedJune 2,2016.
  28. ^"Critics Review Holiday Inn on Broadway".Playbill.October 7, 2016.RetrievedNovember 1,2016.

Bibliography

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Wikimedia Commons has media related toHoliday Inn (film).
Wikiquote has quotations related toHoliday Inn (film).
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