White Christmas (1954) is a favorite Christmas musical for so many people. This is another classic that doesn’t really need a review. Being over 60 years old, I think it’s time for an annotation for younger viewers. Here’s my take on some of the sayings and culture in White Christmas that might need some explanation….
classic films
Lisa’s Home Bijou: St. Louis Blues
Film Festival: Summertime Blues St. Louis Blues is the 1958 Hollywood version of W. C. Handy’s life, formulated as a vehicle for his music as opposed to an accurate biographical portrayal. However, St. Louis Blues is well worth it because of the music and the fine performances.Although his exact place in the pantheon of blues greats…
The Big Parade WWI silent film: Lisa’s Home Bijou
Film Festival: Silent Greats The Big Parade (1925) is a silent classic, crafted by director King Vidor to be a memorable look at the American boys who fought in France during the Great War. War stories are an important part of our storytelling tradition. We attach romance to the idea of boys going off to…
Metropolis silent classic utopia: Lisa’s Home Bijou
Film Festival: Silent Greats Metropolis (1927) is a silent German film that is a masterpiece of art direction and science fiction with a strong philosophy. The film begins with “The mediator between brain and hands must be the heart!” The story of Metropolis takes place in 2026. We see machinery grinding away and the hands…
The Philadelphia Story society wedding: Lisa’s Home Bijou
Film Festival: Weddings, Hollywood Style The Philadelphia Story (1940) starts off with a bang. C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant) is angrily packing his car to leave his house. His wife, Tracy Samantha Lord Haven (Katherine Hepburn) brings out his pipe stand and golf clubs, then trashes them on the porch. Dexter almost decks her, thinks…