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Whistle Stopper - Holiday Inn (Special Edition)
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List Price: $19.98
Our Price: $11.47
Your Save: $ 8.51 ( 43% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
Starring: Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, Virginia Dale, Walter Abel
Directed By: Mark Sandrich
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Universal
EAN: 0025192148422
Format: Black & White
Label: Universal Studios
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Universal Studios
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2006-10-10
Running Time: 100
Studio: Universal Studios
Theatrical Release Date: 1942
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: White Christmas
Comment: What a fabulous movie! Take the night off, slip in the disc and enjoy family movie night. You'll watch over and over
Customer Rating:
Summary: Insulting
Comment: I know this movie was made a long time ago but the blackface routine for the song, "Abraham", is absolutely insulting. I wouldn't want my kids to see this movie. I can't believe that anyone could have watched this movie when it came out and not be embarressed.
Customer Rating:
Summary: New 3-disc Collector's Set due out October 14th, 2008! Details compared
Comment: This is one of the great films, with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire doing some of their most memorable work to some of the better music of Irving Berlin, including the debut of his all-time most popular "White Christmas." The plot is clever, if somewhat silly, the writing sharp, with lots of laughs, romance, ups and downs, and a happy ending for all. If you don't already have the movie, the new Collector's Set will certainly be the nicest package. But this 2006 Special Edition may have all you really need. The new Collector's Set will have a few new features not in the Special Edition:
-- a colorized version of the movie - don't worry, the original black-and-white version is included too
-- a featurette on colorizing the movie
-- a soundtrack CD (which is the third disc of the set)
The soundtrack CD would be a very nice bonus, I think. The new Collector's Set will also include all the special features from this Special Edition:
-- audio commentary by film historian Ken Barnes with archival audio segments from Crosby, Astaire and Crosby's longtime music director John Scott Trotter
-- "A Couple of Song & Dance Men," a biographical documentary about Crosby and Astaire with Barnes and Astaire's daughter Ava Astaire McKenzie (44:30)
-- "All Singing, All Dancing," a featurette on making musicals, again with Barnes (7:15)
-- the original theatrical trailer
Like this DVD, the new set will preserve the original 1.33:1 full screen format in both the black-and-white and colorized versions. The studio announcement for the new set doesn't say whether the video or sound will be remastered. The image and sound quality of the Special Edition is good but not exceptional, with room for improvement; the new one should be at least that good.
This 1942 film centers on Jim (Crosby), a singer and part of a successful three-person New York nightclub act with dancer Ted (Astaire) and singer and dancer Lila (Virginia Dale). Their act portrays a rivalry between the two men over Lila's affections, spelled out in terms of a contest between singing and dancing. Life imitates art, as Jim decides to leave the harried show business life and buy a farm in Connecticut, thinking he'll take Lila as his bride and they'll happily live the simple life together. But Ted has other ideas, and Lila chooses to stay with Ted in show biz, so Jim starts his new life on the farm alone. Soon learning that the simple farming life isn't as carefree as he had imagined, Jim hatches the idea of turning the farm into Holiday Inn, a lodge with nightclub entertainment open only for public holidays. Naturally, events bring Ted, just dumped by Lila, out to the farm, where a new rivalry develops over Jim's new love interest (Marjorie Reynolds). Much scheming, misunderstanding, singing and dancing and romancing ensue.
Both Crosby and Astaire were at their cinematic peaks in 1942. The way they interact is great fun and worth seeing the film for by itself. The songs included many new Irving Berlin numbers, with highlights "Lazy," "Be Careful, It's My Heart," "White Christmas," of course, and the reused "Easter Parade" all sung by Crosby. Astaire was actually a fine singer himself, and did "You're Easy to Dance With" full justice. As good as Crosby and the music is, what really steals the show for me is some of Astaire's all-time best dancing, especially a hilarious drunken reprise of "You're Easy to Dance With" with Reynolds, and the immortal "Let's Say It with Firecrackers" routine, a solo he's portrayed as improvising with pockets full of firecrackers as his props.
There might be a bit of controversy over a number done in blackface, which was still popular at the time, and which is accompanied by the wonderful black character actress Louise Beavers, as Crosby's maid/cook, portraying some stereotypes not so well appreciated today. There is also a reminder of the time in the form of a patriotic montage supporting the war effort, which was just beginning.
If you like old movies at all, are looking for a classic holiday movie (this one ends up at Christmas), or are a fan of Crosby or Astaire, this is a must, whatever edition you prefer. The Amazon page for the new set is here.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Charming musical in solid gold package
Comment: "Holiday Inn", a charming Paramount musical released in 1942, has been given solid gold treatment in this superb anniversary edition. The merits of the film are well known: the great Irving Berlin score featuring the ever popular "White Christmas"; Fred Astaire, charming and ebullient, with a matchless fire cracker number; Bing Crosby, always galvanised into a better performer when paired with a peerless co-star; 2 easy going leading ladies and excellent production values. Particular highlights for me are the bright song and dance for Astaire and Virginia Dale to "Easy to Dance with" and the romantic "Be Careful, It's my heart"
What makes this DVD so special though are that the print is perfect and the extras are lush:
- a featurette about the advent of song and dance with the coming of talkies and how the technicians constructed and polished the performances.
- a featurette about the careers of Astaire and Crosby and their interaction over many years. Astaire's charming daughter Ava appears with some delightful personal anecdotes about her father.
- a comprehensive commentary delivered in an easygoing low key style and chock full of information about the making of the film as well as interpolations from Astaire and Crosby themselves.
- the orginal trailer, production notes and profiles of those who made the film.
This is one of the most lovingly produced DVD editions of all. Even the menu selection is special with cuts from the film and moving scene selections. The package is outstanding value.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Love that Bing!
Comment: I am a sucker for Christmas, and I have always been a huge Crosby fan, plus I love to watch Astaire dance. This show has all 3 in it, so it is among my favorites! The Christmas theme isn't really carried out as the Holiday Inn is only open on Holidays. Berlin's songs are great - "Be Careful, It's My Heart," "I'll Capture Your Heart," the one about Lincoln and Washington, and of course, the best one, "White Christmas." The story line is cute also (I do love happy endings, and everyone can be a star!), and it just seems a fun picture!.Holiday Inn (Special Edition)
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Editorial Reviews:
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Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 10/10/2006
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