Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5518 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-12-03
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Hungarian, Icelandic, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Swedish, Turkish
• Dubbed in: German
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 115 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
This semi-remake of Holiday Inn (the first movie in which Irving Berlin's perennial, Oscar-winning holiday anthem was featured) doesn't have much of a story, but what it does have is choice: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, an all-Irving Berlin song score, classy direction by Hollywood vet Michael Curtiz (Casablanca, The Adventures of Robin Hood), VistaVision (the very first feature ever shot in that widescreen format), and ultrafestive Technicolor! Crosby and Kaye are song-and-dance men who hook up, romantically and professionally, with a "sister" act (Clooney and Vera-Ellen) to put on a Big Show to benefit the struggling ski-resort lodge run by the beloved old retired general (Dean Jagger) of their WWII Army outfit. Crosby is cool, Clooney is warm, Kaye is goofy, and Vera-Ellen is leggy. Songs include: "Sisters" (Crosby and Kaye do their own drag version, too), "Snow", "We'll Follow the Old Man", "Mandy", "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" and more. Christmas would be unthinkable without White Christmas. --Jim Emerson

Special Features

• 2 theatrical trailers
  • Retrospective interview with Rosemary Clooney
    
  • Commentary by Rosemary Clooney

  DVD Technical Information:
  

  • Aspect Ratio: 1.78 Anamorphic Wide Screen
    
  • Languages: English, German
    
  • Region Code: 2
    
  • Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 (English)\Mono (German)
    
  • Subtitles (feature): Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Hungarian, Icelandic, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Swedish, Turkish
    
  • Subtitles (commentary): English, German

Synopsis
Director Michael Curtiz (CASABLANCA, CAPTAIN BLOOD, MILDRED PIERCE) changes directions with this holiday classic. Two talented song-and-dance men team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business. The film includes a veritable treasury of Irving Berlin classics: "Sisters," "Blue Skies," and of course "White Christmas." Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye are a joy to watch.

Customer Reviews

An Essential Film for Christmas each and every year
"White Christmas" begins on the battlefield during World War II, on the fateful night when Danny Kaye saves the life of Bing Crosby and used the leverage to create what would be one of the most successful song-and-dance teams after the war. One night they check out the act of two sisters played by Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, and the next thing they know the boys are on their way to Vermont where the girls are supposed to perform at a ski lodge. However, there are two big surprises up in Vermont: there is no snow and the inn which is threatened with financial ruin is run by General Waverly (Dean Jagger), their commander during the war. Of course, Bing is interested in pursuing Rosemary, while Danny is too busy trying to move that along to notice Vera-Ellen is after him.

This is one of the films I have to watch every Christmas or else the Holidays just do not seem right. Of course, this makes no sense because "White Christmas" does not seem like it has the makings of a Christmas Classic. The magic is due mainly to the songs of Irving Berlin, which in addition to the beloved title song includes "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," "Blue Skies" and "The Best Things Happen While Your Dancing." Since they are putting on a show, there are all sorts of production numbers from the rehersal and the performance. The most memorable might be the version of "Sisters" done by Crosby and Kaye (which Bing was not happy to do, but you will never know by watching the one take). For me, the reason to watch this film each year is to get to the end. There is just something about when Jagger comes down those stairs that gets to me. Nothing like a happy ending to get you in the mood for Christmas, with or without snow (fortunately, where I live, that is never a problem).

White Christmas, the definitive feel good movie.
One of Hollywood's best; paper thin plot, poor continuity, but it is still so outstandingly good a musical you can forgive them anything.

This DVD version has good sound, but alas the picture has clearly not been re-mastered. Some weave and hop and film noise are still there at the start but disappear as you get deeper into the print. However, it is not as high a technical quality as Singin' In The Rain (2 Disc Special Edition) [DVD] [1952]. That being said this DVD of White Christmas is way, way better than my VHS copy.

An essential part of ones collection.

Count your blessings .......
What a classic. I have always been a fan of musicals but White Christmas has always been my number one. I first watched it at about 13 and now I can say the script to you straight off. At only 22 now there are not many people whose favourite film in the entire world is one that features Bing Crosby. BIng Crosby and Danny Kaye bounce off of eachother incredibly well and I cant think of anybody who would play the part of Betty any better than Rosemary Connelly. I know that some people think that I am a bit of a soppy tart but hey, everyone has a soft side, Bing just does it to me in this film as I am certain that other women will agree. I would like to also point out that I have not been able to find a copy of the film in any of the shops .... thanks Amazon.