Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Holiday Inn!!

One of my all-time favorite holiday movies is Holiday Inn (1942) with Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, and Virginia Dale. The 4 of them are absolutely delightful together, and I think I love just about every song in the movie. My family has owned the movie on VHS for years, but it's pretty worn out by now and last time I checked the old VCR only half works, so I've been meaning to look for Holiday Inn on dvd for years. Finally this year I am feeling enough in the Christmas spirit already to look for it, and I feel like I hit the jackpot. :D On Amazon, I found a 3-disc collector's edition which includes what is described as a "spotless" black and white edition, color edition (YAY!!!), aaaaaand a cd of the soundtrack. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. And of course I ended up doing the free super-saver shipping, so I have to wait 5-9 days for it to be sent out - but OH the anticipation. It's like Christmas is already here, I can't stand it, I feel all bouncy & antsy (or is that the coffee I just drank?). :)

I've especially always loved Marjorie Reynolds as Linda Mason in Holiday Inn. She's just got that classic 40's beauty and plays the part so well. I guess I'm also intrigued because she seems to be so obscure - I don't think I've ever seen her in anything else. I was reading about her on IMDB, and it looks like she mostly appeared in B films after Holiday Inn, which kind of sucks. But here's some fun trivia - she was an extra in another one of my favorites, Gone With the Wind, as a guest at Twelve Oaks. I'll have to try to look for her next time I watch it!

(The image above is huge and makes a beautiful wallpaper. Get it here.)


And how cool is this! Holiday Inn paper dolls (reprinted) - I would LOVE to have this for my collection. I have some Vivien Leigh and Shirley Temple paper dolls I received as a kid too, and my mom was smart enough not to allow me to cut them out and play with them. I was just thinking I need to like vacuum seal them in plastic or something in order to try to keep them in tact.


Here are a few photos of Marjorie I found.


Here's Marjorie post-Holiday Inn era, in His Kind of Woman (1951) with Robert Mitchum, Jane Russell, and Vincent Price. Sounds like a pretty heavy drama, maybe noir-ish, but it's neat to see her 10 years later.

So, in the spirit of helping me usher in this holiday season, I'd love to read your comments about your favorite holiday films & why you love them. Doesn't even have to be old, just classic. As for me, another one of my favorites is A Christmas Story, about Ralphie and his Red Rider BB gun. I just recently visited the restored house used in the film in Cleveland, Ohio, so I'll talk about it and post pics on my next post. It takes place in 1940, so it's almost classic.

19 comments:

  1. Holiday Inn is one of my favorites, too! Marjorie Reynolds was also in That Midnight Kiss (which is on DVD!) with Kathryn Grayson and Mario Lanza.

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  2. I'll have to check that out Amanda, thanks!

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  3. What a lovely post, she is gorgeous. Love her black dress in the dancing photo- so elegant.
    Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge

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  4. What a delightful post and a wonderful film. Its been on my Christmas and Birthday lists for years but even with all my hinting it's never been brought. I think I may have to treat myself!

    Lovely pictures and film posters you've managed to find!

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  5. Thanks so much Marie & Pink Flower - and yes, treat yourself! I did! I provided the Amazon link and everything, so there's no excuse why we can't all be enjoying this movie in our homes this season. :D

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  6. I have never seen this movie, believe it or not, but recently discovered that it is playing on the big screen close by at Old Town Music Hall in CA. So excited to finally see it!!! As for my favorite Christmas movie, Miracle on 34th Street will always hold a special place in my sentimental heart. Edmund Gwenn was spectacular.

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  7. Meredith, I'd give lots of money to see it on the big screen! And Miracle on 34th Street is wonderful, I love old and new versions. :)

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  8. His Kind of Woman is great fun - Vincent Price is hysterical in it. I recommend it...

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  9. My dad saw this post and recommended His Kind of Woman to me also, Matthew. Will definitely have to watch it sometime.

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  10. I love Holiday Inn, too! I actually watched this film again a couple of days ago, just to get into the spirit of the coming season, like yourself. But anyhow, I just LOVE Fred Astaire's drunk dance scene - it is TOO funny! I'd have to say another Christmas favorite would be White Christmas and It's a Wonderful Life- I know they're a bit cliche, but I can't help it. I think another good holiday film is Little Women - I'd recommend all three versions, too!

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  11. Hi, AIA! You know, I should be 'shot down like dogs' for not joining your blog sooner... it's great! Lots of great stuff about Holiday Inn on this post...ashamed to say I have never seen the movie...but will rectify that pretty soon!
    Thanks again - Jwalker, Gingerologist...

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  12. WhiterNoise - Yes, yes, and yes. :) I like all 3 of those movies a lot too. And the drunk dance IS classic. :) Over on the right hand side of my blog I have a mixpod, and if you scroll down on the Menu you'll see Happy Holidays by Bing Crosby - it's a cute remix of it with a jazzy beat added in, and midway thru the song they added in this ladies voice from that drunk dance scene - I think this lady is drunk too, out on the dance floor and she says "this is New years kid"....anyway, it's really fun. Makes me laugh every time.

    And thanks for hopping on over here, JWalker. :)

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  13. I had no idea Ms. Reynolds didn't do much beyond this film - she is so great in it!

    I too love White Christmas and Little Women - I also really enjoy Muppets Christmas Carol! Always makes me laugh.

    iamemmamusic.blogspot.com

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  14. UPDATE: Ooh, Ooh, I got it! Just arrived in the post yesterday. I sense another blog posting about this one coming on, after I watch it of course in the new colorized version. And the soundtrack is so fun! Music for me in the car during my daily commute. :) All you rude northern drivers can just speed on by, you don't even really exist, I'm back in 1942 so boo-ya!

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  15. I have just watched Holiday Inn on AMC and realized I had never seen it before, can't believe that when I have watched White Christmas numerous times. Marjorie was great and am surprised she didn't have a extensive career. Would have loved the picture to have been in color. Thanks for all the info from everyone.

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  16. This is one of my very favorite films too! Look for Marjorie Reynolds in GWTW in the scene where several girls walk down the stairs at Twelve Oaks and they are talking about Scarlet to Melanie and Scarlett is hiding under the stairs.

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  17. Are you aware that according to the trivia section on Marjorie Reynolds' IMDB entry that there's a recent mystery novel which features her as a character and it takes place during the premiere of Holiday Inn?

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  18. I absolutely love Holiday Inn. I remember watching it when I was a kid with my parents around the holidays. All the photos that you brought together are just great! Thanks so much!

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