White Christmas

It being Christmas, and all, and me not having a telly at the moment, the chance to see a "classic" seasonal film at the cinema is a bit of a treat. Usually that film would have to be "It's a Wonderful Life", which is and always shall be the definitive filmic example of hope, joy and good will to all men - and a bloody good film to boot! It was showing in Edinburgh, at two different venues, no less, but there was also a bit more choice out there this year, and, having no memory of actually ever seeing it in its entirety, thought I'd chance my arm with White Christmas.

Starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as army buddies who strike up a successful variety act post WWII, it is a loosely scripted showcase for a few big song and dance numbers, with a cue for a croon never far away. Early on it is Kaye who shines and pleases with his ever perfect comic timing and ineffable likability. There are some nice, familiar songs in there, outside of the big one, which bookends the film, such as Blue Skies and Sisters, but, on the whole, there is too much down time and duff tunes to make it a real winner - you have to wait forever for the big payoff of the title song at the end, and by that time you kinda just want to head outside and check if it's snowing for real, instead of going through any more closed lip kissing and tits and teeth dance routines.

What struck me most is what different times we live in now... The sexual politics and male dominance of 50's American society is cringingly evident, and the bit where Bing lights his trademark pipe inside a Vermont ski-lodge and blows a massive cloud of smoke right in his "loved one's" face, without her so much as blinking, comes across as pure comedy. Add to that one song: "Snow" that has to be the worst song ever written for a film musical and the overall experience is more likely to invoke childish giggles than warm fuzziness.

Saying that, when Bing finally gets to sing the showstopper it is hard not to admire his skill and the sentiment that has made it such a perennial favourite for half a century. It put me in the mood for something - just not too sure it was Christmas...?