December 6: Holiday Inn (1942)
Shaping a musical movie around the Holidays on the calendar is a novel idea. Using characters who are jaded about the business but all-in-all good eggs about it is a classic Hollywood musical trope, but I don't get tired of it. Also, in terms of marketing, there is always some interest when the story has a Holiday theme and this one runs the gamut from New Year's Eve to the following Christmas.
Walter Abel, who neither sings nor dances but has perfect timing. He could make his voice crack like a 12 year old.
Gus, and his horse taxi service.
The references to FDR in the "Singing a Song of Freedom"
Major "suspension of disbelief" concept- How does Bing manage to put on the lavish shows with a farmer's budget?
Reprinted from December 2017