MovieChat Forums > White Christmas (1954) Discussion > Is it a dream?

Is it a dream?

posted 13 years ago by eabakkum
9 replies | jump to latest

There may be yet an element of drama and critique in White Christmas. This concerns the first scene, that starts with a wonderful snowy Christmas landscape. Only after a few moments the camera zooms out, and we recognize the desolate field of battle. Perhaps Curtiz tried to hint that his dream develops against the background of war (Korean war etc.). Because of the theme - Christmas - the really audacious viewer might even speculate, whether the character of the general is a mocking allusion to the sometimes not so peaceful Church leaders ("We'll follow the old man ...").

[–] thbryn 13 years ago

The general was a likeness of Ike, the two-term Pres. of the US who was still more a general than pol. He was no dream.
When this movie was shot the country was about to go into an era --R&R-- that would change things forever. This movie kind of ushers out the old (movies, generals) and begins the new ( TV/"The Ed Harrison show" ). This was a transitional film.

"No Jews, or Negroes and very few Catholics and that's because I'm Catholic."

[–] eabakkum 13 years ago

@ thbryn
It is an interesting idea, that it may be a satire on Eisenhower. I don't know him well, but you could search for allusions. I find A White Christmas revue-like, and in this sense typical for the thirties. The difference is that pre-war revues often had satirical and pessimistic elements. In A White Christmas these seem to be absent, apart from the opening scenes. Perhaps the viewers were craving for simple happiness, after the Great Depression and the Second World War. In retrospect the misery of the lives of the people in the thirties and early forties is hard to imagine. Can you recover from such an experience?

[–] jackboot 13 years ago

Gosh, this discussion is a bit more philosophical than I can readily fathom.

To me, opening with that painted backdrop of the picture postcard New England wintry scene is a neat little visual trick. It follows so nicely after the lovely opening credits and overture and then abruptly reveals, as the camera dollies back, that we're back in the middle of a really tough time during the war. Without hitting anyone too hard, it does take the viewer from a very pleasant opening moment right back to a very difficult time still very fresh in the audience's collective memory. But, it doesn't belabor the misery and hardship of war too much, thankfully, since we're basically in for a nice pleasant ride with some light musical comedy.

[–] wrfarley 13 years ago

There may be some truth that the film has a hint of philosophy to it - out with the old/in with the new, vis a vis minstrel numbers vs. "Choreography" (a jackboot favorite); and vaudeville vs. TV. Not that the filmmakers intended this, but there's enough subtext to support this argument.

[–] rrb 13 years ago

Jackboot: it's not philosophical. It's masturbatory.

[–] bam-9 13 years ago

I hate it when people over think everything to death! Just enjoy the movie for what it's worth.

[–] maxman-5 12 years ago

I hate it when people over think everything to death! Just enjoy the movie for what it's worth.

Amen!

[–] thbryn 12 years ago

" Just enjoy "
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Vera Ellen was enjoyed. Even as a five year old...wow.

the insectile Vera-Ellen, whose scissory legs could decapitate a man should the situation demand.

Chains, my baby's got me wrapped up in chains.

[–] bron-tay 12 years ago

Well, the movie does celebrate many old-fashioned values, institutions, and traditions, so any suggestion of church, family, and military should come as no surprise. Mocking allusion? No, if anything it would be a straightforward overlap.

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