Posted by Steven Lewis on January 01, 2000 at 18:23:31:
I viewed White Christmas last week on the 50-foot screen of the Englewood Theater in Independence, Missouri. The big screen did justice to the movie's finale, where the stage doors open to reveal a winter wonderland as the cast sing "White Christmas." A magnificent finale!
As I watched the movie I kept wondering how different it would
have been with Fred Astaire instead of Danny Kaye. As you may know,
White Christmas was originally intended to reunite Bing with
Fred. Without Astaire, Vera Ellen had to dance with surrogates on a
couple of occasions when it came time to showcase her talents.
Nevertheless, Kaye was a better comedian than Astaire, and his
clowning definitely added a level of zaniness to the movie that would
have been missing with Astaire. On the whole I'm glad it was Danny
instead of Fred.
Posted by Ben C. on January 01, 2000 at 21:06:43:
In Reply to: White Christmas posted by Steven Lewis on January 01, 2000 at 18:23:31:
At one point was Donald O'Connor slated to play in the movie before Danny Kaye was chosen?
I agree with your comments I have seen it on the "big screen" here in Cincinnati at the Emery. It does the film justice.
Posted by Sue Horn on January 01, 2000 at 21:50:48:
In Reply to: White Christmas posted by Steven Lewis on January 01, 2000 at 18:23:31:
Since neither Fred nor Danny are here to feel offended by my answer, I will agree with you, Steven. Danny's craziness gave us another legacy associated with Bing. We already have the joys of Holiday Inn and Blue Skies to remember the teaming of Bing and Fred by. Anyway, I suspect that even if Danny and Fred can check on this board, wherever they are now has given them the distance of wisdom so that pride won't be hurt by our appreciation of both their talents or of one over the other.
Posted by Jim Kukura on January 02, 2000 at 19:50:53:
In Reply to: White Christmas posted by Steven Lewis on January 01, 2000 at 18:23:31:
It is usually difficult to picture someone else in a role, once an individual has made it their own. But I really think Astaire was a little long in the tooth by 1954, about 56 years old and did not age that well. To sell him in a role of a army private just getting into show biz would have been a real stretch. And as much I enjoy Danny Kaye in this film, I think Donald O'Conner would have been just as unforgetable. My opinion.
Posted by Jane FitzGerald on January 03, 2000 at 07:54:26:
In Reply to: White Christmas posted by Steven Lewis on January 01, 2000 at 18:23:31:
One of the (many) reasons I love the movie "White Christmas" is watching Bing have so much fun! Danny Kaye knew how to make Bing laugh as is evidenced by his cracking up during the "Sisters" parody and almost again in the minstral show routine. Granted, Bing may have had fun making the movie regardless of who played the role of Phil, but I can't remember him breaking up when he played opposite Fred or Donald.