If you're anything like me, you're weary of that partridge and the pear tree in some new and weird incantation, and you're ready for something more traditional.  Although it's almost 60 years old, "White Christmas" remains one of the most popular and memorable songs ever recorded.

Irving Berlin's song, "White Christmas" appears first in the 1942 movie, "Holiday Inn." While there is a military thread through this movie, the main "plot" centers on establishment of a vacation inn that is open only on holidays. The song won the Oscar for that category in 1942.  The main characters were played by Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire in two thoroughly memorable performances.

The movie called "White Christmas" is a partial remake of Holiday Inn, but features Danny Kaye instead of Fred Astaire with Bing and was made in 1954. The military theme is central to this "plot," as Bing and Danny are trying to boost the fortunes of a resort run by their ex-general (Dean Jagger).

Holiday Inn is a much better movie.

You're listening to Bing's original 1942 recording of the song, made for distribution in record form.

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