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A white Christmas, to most people in the Northern Hemisphere, refers to snowy weather at Christmas, a phenomenon which is far more common in some countries than in others. For example, in most of the UK, snow is rarely experienced at Christmas except in the mountains; but most parts of Canada except for southern British Columbia stand an excellent chance of experiencing a white Christmas.
The song, "White Christmas", by Irving Berlin, was first sung by Bing Crosby in the 1942 musical, Holiday Inn, and, when released as a record, sold over 30 million copies, making it the best-selling recording of all time. The song was re-used as the title theme of the 1954 musical film, White Christmas, which starred Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney.
Bing's single of "White Christmas" sold more than 30 million copies worldwide and was recognized as the best-selling single in any music category for more than 50 years until 1998 when Elton John's tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, " Candle In the Wind", overtook it in a matter of months. However, Bing's recording of "White Christmas" has sold additional millions of copies as part of numerous albums, including his best-selling album Merry Christmas, which was first released as an LP in 1949.
The most familiar version of "White Christmas" is not the one Crosby originally recorded for Holiday Inn in 1942. Bing was called back to the Decca studios on March 19, 1947, to re-record "White Christmas" as a result of damage to the 1942 master due to its frequent use. Every effort was made to reproduce the original Decca recording session, once again including the John Scott Trotter Orchestra and the Ken Darby Singers . The resulting re-issue is the one that has become most familiar to the public.
Filming of White Christmas took place between September and November 19531953 is a common year starting on Thursday (click on link for the calendar). Events January events January 7 President Harry S. Truman announces the United States has developed a hydrogen bomb. January 13 Marshal Josip Broz Tito chosen President of Yugosl. The movie was the first to be filmed in the new VistaVision process and its TechnicolorAlternate use: Technicolor (physics Technicolor is a three-strip color film process pioneered in the 1930s by the Technicolor Corporation a company created by the husband-and-wife team of Herbert and Natalie Kalmus. Technicolor became widely known and cel format has ensured that it has had a long shelf life on TV, Video and DVD. The movie White Christmas was released in 1954See also 1953 in film 1954 1955 in film 1950s in film years in film film Events May 12 The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces wife Marion Benda. The two were married in 1927. Top grossing films :North America # White Christmas starring Bing Crosby, Danny and became the leading box-office draw of that year.
The movie was supposed to reunite Crosby and Fred AstaireFred Astaire ( May 10, 1899 June 22, 1987), born Frederick Austerlitz in Omaha, Nebraska, was an American film and Broadway ballroom dancer and actor. He is particularly associated with Ginger Rogers, with whom he made ten films. Astaire" was a name taken for their third Irving Berlin extravaganza of song and dance (the first two being Holiday Inn (1942) and Blue Skies (1946)). However, Astaire bowed out after reading the script. Donald O'ConnorDonald O'Connor ( August 28, 1925 September 27, 2003) was a singer, dancer and actor who came to fame in a series of movies in which he co-starred with Francis, the talking mule. He is still best known for his performance in the movie musical Singing in t was selected to replace Astaire, but he, too, had to pass because of a back injury. O'Connor was replaced by Danny Kaye.
The story is basically this: Two World War II Army buddies (Bing and Danny) go into show business together, become the hottest act around and later combine to save the a holiday inn run by their former general in Pinetree, Vermont. Along the way, Bing and Rosemary Clooney fall in love as do Danny and Vera-Ellen.