While we never say no to a cheesy holiday rom-com, nothing beats a good old-fashioned holiday classic.
Like the rest of the songs in the film, “White Christmas” was written byIrving Berlin.
However, this wasn’t the first time the song had shown up in a movie.
Both films feature two singing and dancing couples trying to resurrect a quaint old inn at Christmastime.
However, the characters and plot details are a little different.
One thing remains the same Bing Crosby.
The song even won an Oscar no wonder it inspired a whole new Christmas movie (viaCountry Living).
The pair had also appeared together in 1946’s “Blue Skies.”
Instead, the part went to Donald O’Connor.
However, when O’Connor fell ill just before filming, Danny Kaye became his replacement.
Of course, Crosby changed his mind, and thanks to him, the project went ahead.
While the couple’s story may be sweet, their real-life age difference may shock you.
And those aren’t the only strange age gaps in the film.
Even though Clooney played the older sister, she was actually seven years younger thanVera-Ellen, who was 33.
In fact, one of the most famous scenes in the film wasn’t originally in the script.
It turns out, they added that performance themselves.
Apparently, the director noticed and decided to find a way to put it in the film.
In another scene, Bob and Betty discuss which foods cause different kinds of dreams.
“Different foods make for different dreams,” BobtellsBetty.
“I’ve got a whole theory about it.
It’s called ‘The Wallace Way of Wishful Wooing.'”
According toGood Housekeeping, Rosemary Clooney once claimed that this scene was completely improvised, too.
They can sing, they can dance, they can act!
Well, it turns out, there’s some debate about that.
According to some sources, Vera-Ellen, though an amazing dancer, was not exactly a great singer.
Some believe that Trudy Stevens dubbed all of Vera-Ellen’s singing roles.
But she isn’t the only singer who dubbed over Vera-Ellen’s voice.
So, it hardly comes as a surprise that the movie was eventually adapted into a stage musical.
The show was first produced in St. Louis for a week-long run in 2000 (viaTheater Mania).
We can only imagine that this film would be even more magical on stage.
In other words, “White Christmas” made a killing in ticket sales.
According toParade, Fosse might have been an uncredited choreographer on the film.
Somefanseven think they can spot Fosse in three of the dance numbers.
However, other fans deny that he had any involvement in the film whatsoever.
However, you might also remember him as the actor who brieflyappearedin “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
That’s right Rosemary Clooney, aka Betty, wasGeorge Clooney’sreal-life aunt.
Her brother, Nick Clooney, went on to have three children, including George.
As George toldThe Guardian, her influence was part of the reason he eventually went into acting.
“But we all worshipped her and I loved the idea of Hollywood I’d dream about it!”
George isn’t Rosemary’s only famous relative.
You might also remember him as the vice president in “Iron Man 3.”
However, “White Christmas” isn’t the only song in the movie that had already been released.
Berlin decided to change one line that referenced Crosby by name.
He also appeared in the French musical “Les Demoiselles de Rochefort.”
As Chakiris later said in aninterview, “White Christmas” was one of his favorite chorus roles.
Because there were just four of us, we were more visible," he recalled.
“I love the song.
Rosie, she was a lovely person.
Rosie was just so great.”
“I was no longer dancing in the chorus after that.”
As it turns out, they actually had to film the entire sequence twice.
