25 Greatest Christmas Films: #25 — ‘White Christmas’ (1954)
by John NolteSome movies are just plain old comfort food and our returning to them again and again has little to do with any actual cinematic merit. Maybe there’s a simplicity of story that just makes for a great escape or maybe there’s a time machine quality that helps to transport us back for a couple of hours to when life seemed simpler. And with that I ask…
Who doesn’t remember watching White Christmas as a kid? Every year on some winter weekend afternoon on some local UHF channel you couldn’t help but stop and be dazzled by the big bright holiday colors and Bing Crosby’s warm comforting voice. Director Michael Curtiz’s sequel/remake to the wonderful Holiday Inn really is a kind of Christmas Porn and we should all be big enough to acknowledge that it just isn’t a very good movie.
I know, I know, it’s a classic, a perennial. But it’s also long, slow, talky and, well, sorry … kinda dull in spots. Long spots.
Then why do we love it, why do we hunker down annually and lose ourselves in the slow predictability of it all? Because when you’re feeling Christmassy, the sets, costumes, and oh-gawd-yes, the Vista-Vision, works the senses like mainlined eggnog. And of course, there’s Irving Berlin’s unforgettable score, the stunning Rosemary Clooney, the impossibly leggy Vera-Ellen, the energetic Danny Kaye, and the unique pleasure of watching the ease with which Crosby — Mr. Christmas himself — does everything.
And then there’s those few final minutes where the title song and a big, gorgeously produced, sentimental last-burst-of-Hollywood-Golden-Age finale combine to erase the memory of all the mediocrity that came before.
Mark my words: you’ll watch again next year. Oh, yes you will.
[Note: Other than some revising, pruning, and improving (hopefully), longtime readers will recognize this series from last year at my old perch.]
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175 Comments
Ahhhh yes. Definitely one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies.
I have so many memories tied up with watching this movie with the family over the years, that the season does not feel complete until I watch it at least once.
It's a Wonderful Life.
"To my big brother George the richest man in town."
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Slow or not, anything's better than "Christmas Story". It's a thorn in my side. Why does everyone tell him he'll shoot his eye out? How could he possibly shoot his own eye out? And when he gets the little bb gun and shoots it, it knocks him on his rear. What a pansy! That little pea-shooter wouldn't have enough kick to knock anyone over! I have a whole list of things that irritate me about that movie. But returning to the subject at hand, I love Bing Crosby's voice.
Something about Vera Ellen makes me sign.
About as subtext as Broadway lights, but it was accepted and not smashed in your face the way hollywood would do it today.
Two guys who are friends and career partners. Yeah, they must be gay. There's no other possible explanation.
Not a musical guy myself (mostly), but this is a fun movie. Surprised it's only #25 on the list. Curious as to what the other 24 are, Mr. Nolte.
A definite favorite and I watch it every year. True, it's not Oscar material, but it's a nice little escape, a comfort movie.
Agreed. I hate that movie, too, and so long as I live, I will never understand why TBS runs a 24-hour marathon of it on Christmas Day.
What a great way to start December and count down the days 'til Christmas…kind of like an Advent calendar!
if you don't love this movie you are probably a racist
I love that movie. No other film so illustrates the irrational, slightly-demented hopefulness of a child on Christmas.
It's also one of the most quotable films ever, in my opinion. "The queen-mother of all dirty words!"
It may not be "a very good movie," but it's got…wait for it…mise-en-scéne.
Wait! So now we are talking Speaker of The House?
I grew up listening to the brilliance of Gene Shepard on WOR, so the Christmas story holds a special place – although, I agree that a 24hr marathon is completely redundant. I'll watch the honeymooners marathon on PIX. Besides, if anyone wants to see a younger Glenn Beck, Ralphie works for me – and Darren McGavern was good in anything.
sorry guys I don't buy it.
If the 1948 version of "Three Godfathers" isn't already on your list, please take another look and consider it.
Possibly the most underrated of the John Ford/John Wayne films.
the BB richocheted back and hit him in the face.
Christmas Story is in my top five. (the sequel "A Summer Story" is fun too)
God bless America
the beatnik type dance is boring and really the only part that dates the movie for me.
Unlike Malachi, you miss the point, dabhidh. The key word is "subtext." A word very like "subtle." Crosby isn't hot for Kaye, and Kaye's character seems to think of himself as straight, always looking at showgirls; but it seems clear that Crosby, not Vera-Ellen, will always be the love of his life. And watch Kaye's reaction when Vera-Ellen makes some moves on him at the inn. The fact that Kaye had a somewhat fruity persona (and was reportedly Laurence Olivier's lover) only adds to it all.
Something tells me Bad Santa will not make the list.
I never before got the Ralphie / Glenn Beck likeness, but you´re absolutely right.
That movie is one of my favorites. To each his own I guess. My favorite character is the dad. His cursing the heater is hysterical…" )(**&^*&%# Mundane noodle!"
My wife loves "Christmas Story," I can't stand it. I find something else to do when she has it on.
I love White Christmas. My holiday isn't complete until I've seen it.
I know what a "subtext" is. It just doesn't seem "clear" to me that Kaye's character is hot for Crosby, seeing as he spends the entire movie trying to hook Crosby up with Clooney. Kaye's (the actor) personal preferences are irrelevent as far as I'm concerned. And I find the tendency of some to try and read "gay" into nearly every relationship between two people of the same sex in cinema to be somewhat immature.
I agree that "White Christmas" isn't a very good movie. It was obviously made to cash in on the fact that the song "White Christmas" which originally appeared in the earlier Crosby film "Holiday Inn" (which contained original songs honoring ALL of the American holidays) had become such a big hit. And movies made for that kind of reason are always lousy.
A Christmas Story is fantastic. I love the Bumpus hounds who ignore every human being on the planet, but constantly harrass Ralphie's father. I miss Darren McGavin.
Bad Santa would make my list, but I've got a pretty warped sense of humor.
Good one yes, but "A Christmas Carol" takes the prize. Anyone who could think up a name like Ebenezer Scrooge knows Christmas better than all the rest of us combined and Dickens did know Christmas.
I love Christmas Story. My wife can't stand it. She finds something else for me to do when it comes on.
i think it is one of the better x-mas movies, though to be fair, i once thought it would be a good idea to shoot a basketball w/my bb gun. same result, no glasses though.
"And I find the tendency of some to try and read "gay" into nearly every relationship between two people of the same sex in cinema to be somewhat immature. " Me too. And if you don't or won't see it in WHITE CHRISTMAS, I'm not going to try to convert you. Most of the people I know (some straight, some Gay, think the Gay subtext is pretty obvious and only adds an interesting dimension to the movie. I don't even see the Kaye character as "hot" for Crosby. Probably if you suggested it to him he'd be shocked and might even slap you or scratch your eyes out. (Just hope he wouldn't challenge you to a duel because according to Basil Rathbone, Kaye was the greatest "natural"–i.e., unschooled–fencers in Hollywood.) But he seems in love with Crosby, whether or not he feels any physical desire for him. Fixing him up with Clooney is part of that love.
I'll give you Dickens on the story line, but I'm sticking with Frank Capra on the cinematography.
I'll also freely admit I do love Scrooged.
Agreed. We always watch it at least a couple of times during the season.
I know its a bit kitschy, but we're hooked anyway.
I actually watched both this weekend. Maybe because they both have the "White Christmas" song in the movies, they're both at an inn in New England, and they guys are entertainers. Otherwise, I see no resemblance at all! lol
"White Christmas" always used to play late on Christmas Eve. My brother would go to bed after the General got his salute.
I'm tired of all the remakes and rip offs of the Chrismas Carol. If you can't bring anything else to it or improve upon it, pleasre leave it alone.
Scrooged is funny though.
I had a friend in elementary school that did get shot in the eye with a BB, I don't remember if he did it himself, but him and a few other guys were messing with a BB gun.
I really don't like Christmas Story, I think it's stupid.
ok fair enough, but love for and in love with are different. I see it as the former.
For some reason I can't stop watching when it comes on. Great cast. Memorable lines. Developed story. Santa. Little people… What more could you want from a Christmas movie?
I keep telling myself I watch it because I know he redeems himself at the end… But I think it probably has more to do with my humor tracking like yours.
The Bishop's Wife,
Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young. Best Christmas movie in my book.
I hesitate to add to this line, as I'm sure one version or another of "Christmas Carol" will be on the list. But for me the definitive version was the Mr. Magoo cartoon. Probably because it was the first rendition I ever saw.
No need to apologize for this being on the list. On the score alone it should make it. I also like to think of it as a military movie. That, more than the Christmas story, is where it hits home to me. "We'll follow the old man…….."
Phil Davis: All right, they didn't go to college. They didn't go to Smith.
Bob Wallace: Go to Smith? She couldn't even spell it.
Classic!
Actually, White Christmas is more like a mashup of Holiday Inn, You're in the Army Now, and Blue Skies… all of which have Irving Berlin scores, and two of the former have Crosby with Fred Astaire. Berlin obviously had a big sentimental spot for Army-themed plots, as well as show-biz plots, and two guys competing for a girl plots, and all that gets worked around over and over again in White Christmas.
I think the reason everyone concedes White Christmas is a remake of Holiday Inn (though it's not) is the setting at a New England lodge. In fact, the set design in the latter movie fairly mimics (with a nifty 50s update) the more modest place Bing buys in the earlier movie.
What??? White Christmas is only 25th? 5th, maybe, in my book.
It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th street (both)
Don't tell me Charlie Brown's Christmas got a higher rating.
Great Christmas movie; also agree it is the most underrated
I had never seen White Christmas before I started working at an office supply store. We sold TV/VCR combo units during the holidays, so we stuck this tape in the machine to show it off. I must have seen it hundreds of times over the 4 years I worked there.
And I defy anyone to find any movie made since the '70s to show the military and the military camaraderie one developes in such a good light.
I'm 26 and I remember watching White Christmas as a kid. But then I do often lament that Hollywood "doesn't make 'em like they used to" with a few exceptions.
I guess I am just weird!
I have to hear this from my Grandpa every year when White Christmas is on. I think I have seen both of them, but I don't remember Holiday Inn. I guess I will have to rent it this year so I can appreciate the difference. Why is White Christmas on so much more often?
ASL?
I agree. What a nice diversion from all the crap in the news. Can't wait to see what he adds each day.
Live on WOR. What a treat. Same era as live Bob and Ray.
It's Jean, though.
My favorite Christmas movie is A Christmas Story. I can watch that every year.
I use to drive through Hammond every day for work. Though the house used in the film is in Cleveland, OH, the neighborhoods (Cleveland St.) & points of references (Griffith & Warren G. Harding Ele.) used in the movie do exist & is where Jean Shepherd grew up. I love the movie because a lot of he people in the area are exactly like that.
Many good films, but I like WC – nice and mellow and snowy. The Christmas aspect seemed tagged on.
REMEMBER THE NIGHT with Stanwyck and MacMurray is a genius of a film – comedy/romance/road trip – a 1940 drive – straight shot from NYC to rural Indiana. This is one of those films over-flowing with things you wouldn't think would touch you Sterling Holloway singing "When You Come to the End of a Perfect Day" solo, but, soon, the quiet voices of the other cast members present gently back him up.
Preston Sturges screenplay with Mitchel Leisen directing.
ps – a real eye-opener showing you what road travel was like in pre-interstate America.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032981/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remember_the_Night
I'm sorry, I'm not usually this "prudish" but if you are seeing a "gay subtext" between the characters than perhaps your mind is in the gutter. Dabhidh put it very well – what's wrong with men having a close relationship without accusations of a "gay subtext". Sheesh.
Yeah, I get all misty eyed too. I love the moral too, wealth is lot more than just money. The way the entire town turns out to help him in his time of need, just really frames the entire holiday season for me.
Christmas Vacation is one of my favorites. I know, I know Chevy Chase has become a bit of a boob, but I still love him in the Vacation movies and the Fletch movies. And I have to try so hard to hold off on watching Christmas Vacation because my need to watch it starts on Thanksgiving! So by the time Christmas comes, I've probably seen all or most of it again and again several times!
A Charlie Brown Christmas is also wonderful and we just watched it the other day because the kids wanted to see it. I love that it teaches the true meaning of Christmas and long for the time when Christmas still meant Christmas (with Hannukah too of course
) and not "winter festivals". And I'm not even religious! 
But it's still my favorite holiday and Midnight Mass always gave me the goose bumps – to think of the divine touching the Earth in the most beautiful of ways – the birth of a newborn baby. Ooh, just gave me chills. I love it!
I sign all my Christmas cards "Hee Haw and Merry Christmas, Sam Wainwright". Nobody gets it.
I get it!
Good one!
I hadn't thought of it that way, but I think you're right.
It's one of the best Christmas movies. Not just because of the fun characters but also because it tells of a time of military leaders and the type of everyday people they managed to mold into loyal troops because they themselves were good, decent men looking out for their own – unlike today.
I kind of like Bad Santa. I'm not usually a fan of Billy Bob Thorton, though I thought he was excellent in Slingblade.
I'm a middle-aged male and I think Hollywood makes them EXACTLY like they used to. White Christmas is basically just Transformers 2 with different actors and less singing.
We're No Angels was a Christmas movie? Don't get me wrong I thought the original was great. It has been a long time since I've seen it, but I don't remember any thing Christmassy about it.
I love "A Christmas Story" haven't read or heard anything else from Jean Shepard, though. I'll have to check it out when I get the chance. My grandfather served in the US Army Signal Corp in both WWII, & Korea.
The Allister Sims Version of a Christmas Carol is the best.
I agree!! I love BOTH of them! Watch them every year!
I did not see The Snowman mentioned, but it has to be on the list even though it is animated. I dare anyone to watch it all the way through and not get a little choked up. If you don't, you have a cold, cold heart.
part one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuO4fWQBb7c
part two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsXt5JSYEQI
part three: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE78XSQKMxI
I have never seen White Christmas… or Miracle on 34th St…. or It's a Wonderful Life.
I will have to fix that this year.
Shepard was a man of the people. He reveled in America. What some folks felt was corny or old hat, he cherished and ;laughed with – County Fairs, Polish/American girls with reps, good cheap beers, roadside food, big cars, holidays, fireworks, etc. He was a mid-western kid and he usually did the narration in any film that was made from his stories.
He narrates ACStory and the film is made up of characters and situations from several of his short stories.
He's laugh out loud funny.
Aw, heck. I misspelled his name.
It is Jean Shepherd.
Lucky day – clips from some of the PBS Shepherd shows.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQLg3rcV-Is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzstbfBi6R8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvZkOVUJLBE – complete! Rare! Recently posted!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Shepherd
Best Christmas Carol…George C. Scotts. Best Christmas movie…I have too many I LOVE…….love these lists John!
It's the lesbian sub-sub text between Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney that everyone misses!
I will probably get scolded for stepping on sacred ground here, especially as I haven't seen the original, BUT, I have seen a remake, and I love it. So I hereby recommend "Tokyo Godfathers" by Satoshi Kon, a very loose remake as I understand it. It's kind of crusty but dangit I love it! Probably not suitable for kids… And folks who hate anime will scream and kick but I stand by my opinion. But wow, now I wanna see the original. And in advance, Merry Christmas everyone!
I love the original and will sit through the remake since the family loves it so. I'm just not big on remakes.
Wow, that's sad.
I liked Bad Santa. The little boy and his Christmas Countdown Calender made me cry. I do that.
Hope you like snow.
Danny Kaye was gay in real life, watch both WC and HI versions, both basically the same movie and how Danny interacted with others, it's not like I'm not saying Cary Grant was gay character when acting.
Doesn't really matter much if I like it or not, I live in NY. There will be snow. It snowed this morning.
That's the putting-up-the-tree movie we watch every year, and it is much quoted in our house. Darren McGavin as the dad is absolutely perfect. "Not a finger!"
Danny Kaye also adds an interesting Gay subtext to the friendship between his character and Crosby's.
I just sawa Remember the Night recently–excellent movie! MacMurray's line of "Oh, yes, my life is one big round of whoopee!" is so unexpectedly funny–it really cracked me up.
Wow! I wouldn't have thought that was actually possible? Enjoy them!
My favorite is Miracle on 34th St., both the original and the John Hughes re-make.
Gotta dispute the whole notion that Danny Kaye was gay. He was married and reportedly estranged from his wife due to a succession of affairs – with women. The business with Olivier was heavily rumored but never acknowledged by either man and was also denied by their spouses. Do a little research…
Having said that – why the hell would anyone think "gay subtext" makes a cheesy Hollywood musical from 1954 more interesting anyway? Yeah, right. And all those ex-soldiers must have been queer for The General, too. Why else would they travel from all over the country and then do a Broadway production number for him? And obviously the General's real problem was that he missed whipping all those muscular, sweaty GIs with his riding crop. Yeah, I'm sure all this was *secretly* on the scriptwriters' minds when they were cooking up this sappy little picture. They were probably *secretly* gay, too!
OK, I have to go now. Looking for subtext gets me all…you know…tingly.
There's probably something wrong with me. I don't watch Christmas movies at all.
I agree with you about "Christmas Story." Ugh. It gives me the creeps.
You're not weird, you're right. I, too, am under 40 and I used to love to watch "White Christmas," "Holiday Inn," and "Miracle on 34th Street" as a kid. I never saw "It's a Wonderful Life" until I was in high school because my dad said he'd seen it one too many times, but when I did, I fell in love. *George Bailey–sigh*
LOL!
I'll wait for the whole list, of course but, that's my vote, too!
Everybody says White Christmas is a remake of Holiday Inn, but I have never seen the resemblance. They're two completely different story lines. I look forward to watching Holiday Inn 'cause it has Fred Astaire in some amazing dance numbers. We always watch White Christmas, but we fast-forward through a couple of the later dances, which are tedious.
Ah, but there is Rosemary Clooney. What a voice.
Own them today on dvd, I do, then I have a bunch of Road To movies also.
Christmas Vacation with the brunette in the red bathing suit.
A Christmas Story – fun to watch
Holiday Inn – Great musical and funny
Thank you! I have White Christmas on for Dec. 5
Another thing people find strange is I only just saw Casablanca a year or so ago. Eh. My relative film virginity makes me love Bighollywood all the more. A whole new world with plenty of folks who have been around the block!
I love being relatively virginal. I may have to start referring to myself as that.
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