Cast: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera - Ellen

Directed By: Michael Curtiz

The Oscar winning Irving Berlin holiday anthem never sounded so good when its’ played as part of this 1954 movie.

Dance men turned soldiers, Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) bid a musical goodbye to their commanding officer, General Waverly (Dean Jagger), after the WWII war.

Years later, Wallace and Davis form a musical partnership that takes them to the top of the show biz world as in demand entertainers. Phil is convinced that Bob needs a girlfriend, so he sets up a meet-and-greet with a sister act of an old army buddy, Betty Haynes (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy Haynes (Vera - Ellen). Crosby is cool, Clooney is warm, Kaye is goofy, and Vera-Ellen leggy. As Phil and Judy begin an elaborate plan to link Bob and Betty romantically, their journey takes them to Vermont in time for a white Christmas.

The quartet retreat to Vermont for the holidays where the sisters are to perform at a lodge at the ski-resort Vermont inn. Bob and Phil are stunned to discover that there is no snow and the proprietor is none other than their beloved former General Waverly who’s in a financial trouble. They want to help him bring the tourists back despite the lack of snow. The only way is to bring their show to Vermont on Christmas Eve and draw in the tourists.

While the plot is not that interesting, its Irving Berlin’s music and dance that’s spectacular. From the opening minstrel number Mandy to the kooky spoof Choreography, to the breathtaking White Christmas, there’s no complaining. Other songs that put you in a jolly mood and move the story on are Sisters, Snow, We'll Follow the Old Man, Count Your Blessings instead of Sheep and the absolutely marvelous The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing, a dance number between Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen.

Rating: ****

Reviewed By Verus Ferreira