I'm Dreaming Of White Christmas

And no, not necessarily an actual white Christmas, but of seeing "White Christmas" on the big screen.

This is a movie I've probably seen every holiday since I was a kid, but always on a TV screen, which is most assuredly not the best way to enjoy a 1950s musical.

 So I was delighted to see it being offered for this weekend's Movies & Mimosas feature at Movieland.

Although part of the pleasure of this movie is its holiday theme, what I most look forward to about it is the dancing and Danny Kaye's incredibly malleable face and body.

The man is the original Gumby and displays his physicality superbly.

Even the scenes where he's not talking, just watching his face is entertainment enough.

And watching him dance is a revelation; his body arcs and sways effortlessly while Bing Crosby stiffly tries to keep up.

Seeing it on the big screen for the first time, I was able to note details I'd never been aware of before.

It's a wonderfully dated film, with a quaint reference to the Department of War rather than of Defense.

There's also a reference to a character being out of the country - in Alaska; but then, the movie was made four years before Alaska's statehood was approved.

But, at its heart, "White Christmas" is a love story with all the expected trials and tribulations of ultimately winning the love of one's life.

And, as we well know, the course of true love never does run smoothly.

But it's a pleasure to watch the inspired singing and dancing that leads to the fade-out kiss...on a big screen.