Movie: "White Christmas" (1954)

This is one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time! The cozy feel, the music, the nostalgia, and of course, the food! Let's get started...

🎬 Movie: White Christmas (1954)

White Christmas is a musical that follows two former World War II soldiers, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, who become a successful song-and-dance act. They meet two singing sisters, Betty and Judy Haynes, at a Florida night club and follow them to a Vermont inn for a Christmas show. Much to their surprise, the inn is owned by their former commanding officer, Major General Tom Waverly who is facing financial trouble. The four performers team up to put on a show to save the inn from closing. Full of singing and dancing throughout, including the iconic title song, "White Christmas". 

⭐ Cast:

Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, and Dean Jagger

❤️ Takeaway Message: 

The movie carries a theme of embracing the Christmas spirit by emphasizing the importance of giving (as the characters unite to save the old generals inn), unity and cherishing relationships both past and present, and gratitude (shown when the general discovers what they've done for him).

 📝Please see my notes at the end of this post that address any concerns you may have about the movie itself. 

🍽️ Dinner Inspiration

While there is not a specific dish attributed to the movie, the characters do indulge in a few meals, which served as inspiration for tonight's menu. 

🥤 Beverages

While on a train to Vermont, the characters sit down in the dining car and order a few beverages. Betty (Rosemary) orders lemonade, Judy (Vera) orders a malted milkshake, and Bob (Bing) orders a hot buttered rum. 

To enjoy alongside our dinner, we served "Club Car Lemonade".

🥣 Soup

While not served in the movie, I felt that New England Clam Chowder would be a great addition to tonight's dinner. Vermont does not have their own style of clam chowder, so I opted for the standard New England version. You can keep this easy by using a can of pre-made clam chowder, or prepare a homemade pot of this delicious chowder yourself. If you have a shellfish allergy or an aversion to seafood, you can prepare a hearty vegetarian-style chowder in its place. 

🍴 Main Course

As the characters make their way to Vermont, they order Club Sandwiches. A Club Sandwich consists of three slices of toasted bread, deli sliced chicken or turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. Due to the many layers of this sandwich, it is often held together with toothpicks. If you have little ones as I do, you may need to opt for only two slices of toast. 

I served tonight's sandwiches alongside these fancy seasoned potato wedges. 

If a club sandwich doesn't interest you, perhaps a "ham and rye", a turkey sandwich, or liverwurst will. Top it with a green olive on a toothpick, like in this scene at the inn, and you're good to go.

 

🍦Dessert

Do you remember the characters ordering drinks on the train ride I mentioned earlier? One of those drinks is much better suited as tonight's dessert: Vanilla Malt Milkshakes! 

🎄 In Conclusion...

I hope you enjoy this feel-good movie, and extraordinary showcase of some of the most spectacular talent to ever grace the silver screen! Merry Christmas! 🎄

📝 Movie Notes:

I consider this movie to be entirely appropriate for viewers of all ages, though younger ones may find it slow and boring. There are a few instances of mild language that you may or may not find inappropriate.

🎞️ Motion Picture Rating: G (For All Ages)

🙉 Language: There is one instance of the word "damn", and a few old-fashioned expletives such as "holy smokes!" 

🙈 Modesty Concerns: The women are dressed as show girls for part of their performance. Vera-Ellen had an extraordinarily slim figure and long legs that the movie directors no doubt wanted to showcase. In the beginning of the movie, the two leading men dress mildly as women in jest of the girls' show. It is good-natured old-fashioned fun and not intended to influence cross-dressing. 

🙊 Substance Use: The characters are frequently seen drinking cocktails, and the character Bob is seen smoking a pipe, as was standard for that time era. 

🪖 Veteran PTSD Concerns: The beginning of the movie does contain sounds of military planes, explosions and images of a World War II scene with buildings crumbling. It is very mild.