Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season to enjoy the Driftwood Players’ Classic Movie Series presentation of “Holiday Inn” at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19.
Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire headline this 1942 Irving Berlin musical about on again, off again show biz partners who vie for the affections of their performing partner Lila Dixon (Virginia Dale). Crosby, as Jim Hardy, tires of the business, and after Astaire’s Ted Hanover steals Lila away, he decides to retire to the country to open a resort with a unique marketing plan: it’s only open on holidays.
“Holiday Inn” may be best remembered today for bringing Crosby’s first rendition of “White Christmas” to the silver screen, but World War Two audiences actually made the Valentine song “Be Careful, It’s My Heart” the film’s initial big hit. “White Christmas” eventually gained momentum, fueled by the volume of requests Armed Forces Radio received from American soldiers serving in the war, and went on win the Academy Award for best song. By 1954, the song was an established classic, resulting in the Technicolor spectacle of the 1954 film “White Christmas” which brought Crosby back for an encore performance.
The charm of “Holiday Inn” lies in Berlin’s holiday themed roster of songs, from “Let’s Start the New Year Right,” to “Song of Freedom” and “Plenty to Be Thankful For.” “Happy Holiday” and “Easter Parade” also make an appearance here. Also of note is Fred Astaire’s dazzling footwork for “Let’s Say It with Firecrackers,” one of his finest cinematic dance performances.
Crosby and Astaire make an unlikely, if oddly likeable, team in “Holiday Inn.” The crooner and the hoofer have a mostly adversarial relationship throughout the film, especially given that Astaire’s character tries to take not one, but two, of Crosby’s romantic interests away from him. But the entertainers have a jocular chemistry between them that alleviates the competitive tension. This being an Irving Belrin musical, everything works out for the best in the end, anyway. You gotta love it.
Tickets are $5, available by calling Driftwood’s box office at 425-774-9600. The screening takes place at the Wade James Theatre, located at 950 Main Street in Edmonds.
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