Bing Crosbyas Bob WallaceThe story
About White Christmas
Two men who performed together in the army during the war become a successful song-and-dance act, and follow a sister double act to a Vermont inn for the Christmas season. The inn turns out to be run by their old commanding officer and to be nearly empty, because the snow has not come. They decide to move their whole show up there to fill it, while both romances proceed by way of misunderstanding.
The CineClaus verdict
The cosiest film on the list and the least plotted.
Two acts, an inn with no snow, a commanding officer to be rescued by putting on a show, and two romances that proceed entirely by misunderstanding. Two hours of very good numbers strung on very little, which is precisely the point.
The Spectator thought the sentiment laid on thick in 1954 and was not wrong. Put it on and let it run.
The family desk
Can the kids watch?
Our take: fine for all ages. Long, gentle and entirely without jeopardy; younger children will drift in and out of it.
BBFC advice: Contains no material likely to offend or harm.
Content advice & accessibility
- Where the advice comes from
- The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).
- Our age guidance
- Editorial, separate from the official U certificate, and never looser than it.
