Holiday Inn

Just in time for Thanksgiving, my latest musical review is an Irving Berlin classic called Holiday Inn. Starring brilliant actors, singers, and dancers like Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, and Virginia Dale, this movie is a timeless musical and a “must-see”. The movie begins with the introduction of Manhattan’s premier nightlife trio composed of Jim Hardy (Bing Crosby), Ted Hanover (Fred Astaire), and Lila Dixon (Virginia Dale). Jim is the singing talent of the group, Ted is the dancing talent of the group, and Lila does both. It’s around the Christmas season in New York and the trio is preparing to put on one of their shows. Jim tells Ted of his aversion to all the busyness and non-stop working atmosphere of show business. Since Jim’s uncle has passed away leaving him a farm, Jim intends to start working on the farm in Connecticut. Also, Jim and Lila are engaged and he intends to take Lila with him. Unfortunately, Jim is unaware that Ted and Lila have fallen in love and are going to stay in New York and continue their shows as a duet. When Ted’s agent, Danny Reed, lets the news slip, Jim leaves heartbroken but determined to follow his plan. However, the farm doesn’t work out so well for Jim. After spending some time in a sanatorium, Jim goes back to New York to see Ted and Lila on Christmas Eve. He tells Reed and Ted of his new plan to turn the farm into an entertainment club called Holiday Inn which is only open on holidays. Reed and Ted don’t think it will work but wish Jim luck. Later on, Mr. Reed is on his way out of New York when he stops at a flower shop to send Lila some flowers for Ted. While he is there, the young woman working there, Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds), recognizes him and begs him to get her on the stage. He refers her to Holiday Inn and gives her a pass for Ted and Lila’s show that night. Jim and Linda meet at the performer’s table that night at Ted and Lila’s show. Jim acts like he has a big club and is considering Ted and Lila for his show but doesn’t think they are good enough and Linda pretends like she is an important friend of Ted Hanover’s. However, Linda shows up at Jim’s Inn the next day (Christmas Day) and they realize each other’s mistake. Jim, who has been readying the Inn for its opening day on New Year’s Eve, shows Linda around. Then, he sings for her the song that he would have performed that day if the Inn had been open: White Christmas. On New Year’s Eve, Holiday Inn has a full house. However, back in New York, Ted has discovered a note from Lila saying she is leaving him for a Texas millionaire. Ted drinks heavily before leaving to find Jim in Connecticut at the Inn. A very intoxicated Ted arrives at the Inn precisely at midnight. Meanwhile, Danny Reed has discovered the note and Ted’s absence. He is in a panic to find his star actor and leaves immediately for Jim’s Inn. At the Inn, Ted wanders through the crowd until he finds Linda. Even in his inebriated state, Linda and Ted bring down the house with their dance. Finally, Ted collapses and is taken upstairs by Jim and Linda. Mr. Reed arrives just in time to see Ted and Linda finish their dance. Mistakenly, he believes Ted has already found another dance partner. In the morning, Ted awakes and is completely unaware of what happened last night. However, he remembers dancing with a girl but can’t remember what she looks like. Jim chooses not to say anything even though he knows the answer to all their questions. Ted and Danny decide to search for this girl until they find her. Fearing that Ted will steal Linda away the same way he stole Lila, Jim begins a series of desperate acts to keep Ted and Danny from finding Linda. The next holiday is Lincoln’s birthday. Danny and Ted come to the show in hopes that Ted’s mystery partner will be there again. In a moment’s decision, Jim decides to change the show to include blackface make-up so Linda won’t be recognized. While Jim is applying her make-up, he casually proposes that Linda be in every show and stay at the Inn all the time. Linda interprets this for the proposal that it is and happily accepts. Jim’s scheme succeeds and Ted and Danny leave empty-handed. However, they decide to arrive early before the next show and try again. On Valentine’s Day, Jim sings Linda a song he has wrote especially for her called “Be Careful, It’s My Heart”. During this song, Linda begins dancing to the music by herself when Ted and Danny enter. She is recognized and Ted silently steps in and they begin dancing. At the end of the song, Jim’s heart is breaking again as he sees the two dancing. Ted convinces (more like bullies!) Jim to write a number for him and Linda in the next show on Washington’s birthday. When that holiday arrives, Ted and Linda begin dancing to a minuet but every time he starts to take her into his arms to kiss her, Jim changes the music from a minuet to jazz. After the show, Ted asks Linda to become his partner and leave them Inn. Linda tells Ted that she has agreed to be in the shows and is engaged to Jim. Later on, Ted talks to Jim who is surprised to hear that he and Linda are engaged. I think Jim believes Linda would have fallen in love with Ted already and has forgotten his proposal but other movie reviews say that Jim really didn’t propose on Lincoln’s birthday, but Linda just assumed he did. Linda and Jim’s relationship continues to blossom on Easter as they drive back to the Inn from church. Upon their arrival, they find Ted waiting. He makes up some excuse about “wanting the happiness you people have found here at the Inn” but really, he is trying to get closer to Linda and draw her away from Jim. Thus begins a very tense relationship between a distrustful Jim, a charmed Linda, and a smoother-than-honey Ted. On July 4th, Danny Reed has arranged for some Hollywood producers to come watch Ted and Linda to see if they can be in the pictures (a movie). Jim bribes the hired hand Gus to pick Linda up from the train station but never get to the Inn. Gus drives into the river but Linda makes him carry her to the shore. She hikes back up to the road to hitch a ride and meets Lila. Jim has secretly arranged for Lila to come and take Linda’s place with Ted. When Linda discovers this, she directs Lila to the same river. At the Inn, the show has been delayed because of Linda’s absences. After an hour, Danny Reed starts the show to keep his Hollywood guests from leaving. Ted is forced to come up with a quick improvisational routine. Finally, Linda arrives at the end of the show and confronts Jim with Ted standing near-by. She accuses him of ruining her chances of going to Hollywood, even the chance to refuse. Danny brings the Hollywood producers to meet Ted and Linda but they are more fascinated with Jim instead! They love Jim’s idea of Holiday Inn and want to purchase the rights to turn it into a movie starring Ted and Linda. Jim is worn-out from the sneaking around and Ted’s universal success. He agrees to let the producers use his idea, his music, and his love: Linda. A broken man, Jim sarcastically asks Linda if she is happy now since she has gotten her chance at Hollywood back. He walks away and doesn’t see her again. Depressed and alone, Jim eats Thanksgiving dinner by himself while listening to his new song for the Thanksgiving holiday: “I Have Plenty to be Thankful For”. His cook, Mamie, confronts him about his apathetic attitude and encourages him to go to California, tell Linda his feelings, and get his girl back! Strengthened, Jim decides to do just that. Christmas Eve in Hollywood, Ted and Danny are making arrangements for Ted and Linda’s marriage immediately following the last shoot for the film. Ted has worried and claims he won’t relax until he and Linda are actually married. Just then, Jim enters and says hello. Now it’s Ted’s turn to worry about Jim stealing his girl! Danny comes up with the idea to lock Jim in the closet. Unfortunately for them, Jim gets out and locks them in Ted’s room. Then he wanders down to see the set. The set is an exact replica of Jim’s Inn in Connecticut. As he sits at the piano, he plays “White Christmas” and leaves his pipe on top. Then he disappears as the crew sets up and Linda comes out to film the last scene. As the camera rolls, Linda walks through the house until she comes to the piano. She sits down and begins singing “White Christmas”. While playing, she uses Jim’s pipe to ring the bells exactly the same way Jim did the first time he sang it for her. She stops, surprised, and then hears Jim’s voice pick up where she left off. She looks around trying to find him. He steps out of his hiding place and Linda rushes into his arms. Danny and Ted rush onto the set but they’re too late. It’s New Year’s Eve again and Jim and Linda are hosting the show back at the Holiday Inn. Ted admits defeat and starts a solo career. Danny (the relentless, merciless, and annoying agent) brings Lila onto the stage to resume her partnership with Ted. Therefore, there is a happy ending as Jim and Linda, Ted and Lila are all with the person they should be. I like this movie but Ted Hanover and Danny Reed drive me nuts! I am glad there is a happy ending because the entire middle portion of this movie makes me mad. Jim is a coward who won’t stand up for the girl he loves. Nevertheless, it is a very good movie.
My favorite songs in this movie are “White Christmas”, “Abraham”, “The New Year’s Song”, and “Be Careful, It’s My Heart”. Although there are many witty and funny lines in this movie, I am using one that expresses Jim’s precise feelings regarding Ted. After Ted has stayed with them at the Inn for some time, Jim asks this question:

Jim: (Sarcastically) Oh, yes, we love having you. By the way, when are you leaving?

I love these classic musicals with stars like Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, and the wonderful music by Irving Berlin. In fact, this movie has had a lot of affect on society. Did you know that the Holiday Inn hotels were named after this film? Very interesting, is it not?! Well, I hope you have seen this movie or will try to see it. It’s very good! Well, a wonderful week and leave me a comment!