White Christmas

Irving Berlin's movie "White Christmas" is my favorite holiday (well, favorite Christmas!) movie of all time. I really do love A Charlie Brown Christmas -- but does that count as a full movie?  If so I might have to call it a tie... I recall when I was somewhere in early elementary school, I actually wore out my grandparents copy of the film "White Christmas!"  (I of course ended up buying them another copy out of my babysitting money, then a while later I purchased them a nice DVD edition to enjoy).  There is only one other movie I have ever done this to (also a tape belonging to my grandparents, also replaced later -- "The Music Man").

Today I was not going to post about this movie (I was going to write a "It's Monday, what are you reading?" post) however it is a holiday and so I am taking a break -- although I have not technically started my Monday reading updates, they have been planned.... "White Christmas" came out in 1954 and I love it for various reasons, primarily made possible by the director (Michael Curtiz -- also directed "Casablanca"), of course Berlins music (shall list some of my favorite songs) and the four main characters played by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen Rohe.

Part of the allure of this film is that it was made during the golden age of film... I have never actually experienced a "white" Christmas (hard to do living near Los Angeles for most of my life!)... During the holiday season I get to/try to see people I care about... I also often am able to give out gifts/help out.  Having my godson and his family visiting helps make me feel a bit like Christmas is in the air and I am reminded that in addition to the wonderful family/family friends I have around more often -- summer visits remind me how lucky I am to be a godmother! :)

Instead of trying to type out most of my favorite songs from this film, I am going to try using a bullet-point system... Also if possible I am going to end this post with what I believe is the original White Christmas Theatrical Trailer that I found on You.Tube!  This past week has been, overall, heavily sprinkled with happy moments and thoughts (even if my posts have not necessarily reflected that).  I hope this week is filled with the same for all of you!

• "White Christmas"
  Words and Music by Irving Berlin
  Sung by Bing Crosby
  Reprised during the finale by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Trudy Stevens) (uncredited)
  
  
• "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep"
  Words and Music by Irving Berlin
  Sung by Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney
  
  
• "Sisters"
  Words and Music by Irving Berlin
  Sung by Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Trudy Stevens) (uncredited)
  Also lip-synched by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye
  
  
• "The Best Things Happen When You're Dancing"
  Words and Music by Irving Berlin
  Sung by Danny Kaye, danced by Danny and Vera-Ellen
  Also played for dancing at the party
  
  
• "Geee! I Wish I Was Back in the Army"
  Words and Music by Irving Berlin
  Sung by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Trudy Stevens) (uncredited)
  
  
• "Snow"
  Words and Music by Irving Berlin
  Sung by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Trudy Stevens) (uncredited)
  
  
• "Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me"
  Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
  Sung by Rosemary Clooney
  
  
• "The Old Man"
  Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
  Sung by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and chorus at the front
  Reprised by them all at the celebration in the inn
  
  
• "Blue Skies"
  Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
  Performed by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye in the montage
  
  
• "Heat Wave"
  Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
  Performed by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye in the montage
  
  (Details for songs taken from the following web page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047673/soundtrack)