White Christmas (1954)

White Christmas (1954) was a treat.  Many of us hadn’t seen a blockbuster Hollywood musical on a big screen in its full colourful glory. It was quite a revelation.  Edith Head’s eye-popping costumes were glorious, an array of dazzling seasonal combinations of scarlet and green, sparkling long gloves and blue tulle dresses.

White Christmas is an interesting example of the musical genre. It has a serious theme at its centre. The much valued ex-general is feeling at a loss since leaving the military and a secret send-off is planned at his Vermont inn.  The display of men’s affection – “Because We Love Him” – brought tears to our eyes. The film reflects the reality of life post war and the transitions that people had to make. There is a final sense of renewal and hope.

For one of our younger volunteers, the film gave a glimpse into 1950s values, a time of innocence, with marriage and security seen as more important than fame and fortune. For some of us it felt like we were seeing aliens on another planet, as things have changed so much.

The very quirky Choreography dance sequence (perhaps the oddest part of the film) shows an awareness of people’s taste changing to modern movement, rather than traditional musical dance sequences. Although this isn’t reflected in today’s West End theatre reality with old style musicals a-plenty.

The Minstrel show scene uses the signifiers of minstrelsy – tambourines, gloves, Mr Bones – but avoids blackface (unlike Holiday Inn).

A standout moment for us was Rosemary Clooney’s powerful torch song Love You Didn’t Do Right By Me.  That’s the one with the stark black gown, silver sparkling gloves (yes, please) and West Side Story’s George Chakiris, now 93, leading the male dancers.

We all valued Dick Van Dyke, as he reached 100 years old. The shorts celebrated his infectious sense of pure joy at being alive.

I sat next to a lovely couple who came to RCC for the first time. They were impressed by the home-made cakes and our wonderful entertainment.  It was a warm-hearted, sentimental evening and struck just the right note for Christmas.

Thanks for my big screen birthday message, Eugene!

Anne