Bob and Phil become successful entertainers and producers after returning from combat in WWII. The pair travels to observe Betty and Judy, two sisters trying to expand their act and end up joining them on a trip to their next engagement at an inn in Vermont. There, they learn that the inn is owned and operated by their former commanding officer, General Waverly, and that a snowless season has driven the venture to near-failure. Bob and Phil decide to bring their whole act to the inn to save the business. After a love rectangle and a few silly misunderstandings, the two pairs pull off the show of a lifetime in front of a packed crowd—and not a moment later, it starts to snow. 🌨
Man, I ate up this film’s sentimental charm while watching it—but recapping it like this sort of reminded me how silly it actually is. With a meandering first act and drama that was established through a simple misunderstanding (that was guaranteed to be cleared up), it wasn’t the most rock solid story. But still, the performances are delightful and the music is classic. The film’s first shot is a brilliant opener and the General Waverly “an old man looking to still be useful/‘We’ll follow the old man’” B-Plot just got me good. To me, “Holiday Inn” is still the superior film but with Rosemary Clooney and 100% less blackface, “White Christmas” is a close second!